Glen Rose, Texas

First of all, I want to welcome my followers.  I'm still not sure exactly how to reply...  maybe just e-mail?  In fact, I want to follow some other blogs myself and there are some that require more know-how than I have.  So...  thank you for taking the time to read my "Essays"...  and special thanks to those who wish Bill well on his tests. 

I can only say this...  so far he hasn't been glowing in the dark or turning green or anything.  We go back to Ft Worth next Monday...  I'll update y'all then.  Thanks!

Because we now do our "doctorin" in Granbury, and this time our medical stuff is taking longer, we've been at our daughter's place near Glen Rose for quite a while.  Glen Rose is the county seat of Somervell County.

Texas has a total of 254 counties!  Somervell County is the 3rd smallest county consisting of a total of 192 square miles.  In the 2010 census, the county had a population of 8,490.  Glen Rose, the largest city in the county has a population of 2,444.  It became the county seat in 1875, when the county was formed.

 

The Courthouse, was built in 1894.  As in many western town, the courthouse is in the center of a plaza, or town square.  This one is no exception... the area where it's located is nicely landscaped and has several statues and war memorials.

This statue depicts the earliest settlers here. 

Around the town square are historic buildings, most have been restored to look as they did, but now accomodate modern-day businesses.

This is an antique shop...  one of many in the area.

A trendy boutique in an historic setting....

There is a small museum right on the town square.  It houses clothing, tools, and other artifacts of days gone by.  Those panels at the top right are the collection of different barbed wire fencing once used in Texas. 

Just outside the museum is Glen Rose's "claim to fame".  Dinosaur prints were discovered nearby in 1908, following  the tragic Paluxy River Flood. 

Since then other prints have been discovered.  Just outside of Glen Rose today is the Dinosaur State Park and also the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. 

In fact, if you stop at the Visitor Center as you enter Glen Rose on Rt 67, this is what you'll see....

There are all kinds of dinosaur and fossil related businesses in the area.

Back to the town square...  this was the town's first post office.... 

A far cry from today's post office located just on the edge of town.

Also, just at the edge of the court house parking area is..

The Farmer's Market area.  Still today, this is the area where local farmer's bring their produce to sell during warmer weather.

Just off the town square is something, that to me is quite unique...

 

There's a small bird sanctuary, tucked away between two business buildings...  a small creek runs through it and there are lots of bird feeders, bird houses and other bird attractions.  This is easy to miss because it's the width of a normal building, right on the main street. 

There are several parks and other attractions within walking distance of the town square.  Big Rocks Park is right on the Paluxy River.  I didn't get a picture of that but it looks exactly like its name...  HUGE rocks to climb on or hike around.   Also a playground and picnic area.

Just east of the town square is another park...

Again, it's just a short walk to it from downtown...  but besides a playground and picnic area is also is a historic site...

There are restored buildings of days gone by... Each building is marked with a plaque citing its purpose and history. 

There are also a fair number of Bed and Breakfasts, Country Inns, and even large retreats and unique inns.

This Lodge is located just a short distance from the square.  There are several such businesses in the area.

Moving outside the town square, Glen Rose is much like other small towns...

The Somervell Library is near the complex of school buildings.  By the way, the school campus is huge!  Houses all grade levels in various buildings, and it looks like a beautiful new convocation center is just being completed. 

I am amazed at how many banks there are in this town...  I'm sure they are all branch banks of some larger institution.  Someday I'll take the time to count them all!

This is where we opened an account...  the main office is in Stephenville, about 30 miles south of here, but this one has what we need.

Also, there are lots of churches of all denominations here...

This is St Rose of Lima, where I go.  It's quite small and I believe the pastors come from St Francis Cabrini, in Granbury for the services here.

So you can see that Glen Rose has many similarities to other small towns in Texas.  But there's one BIG difference.  The reason the roads are so good; the reason the schools are so modern; and probably one of the reasons that there are so many banks...

is

The Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant Generating Station

Located just about 5 miles west of Glen Rose, and almost on the Somervell/Hood County lines, this is one of two nuclear plower plants in Texas.  It's been operating since the mid 1970's and is the employer of over 1,000 people.  I'm sure the tax money it generates for the county make a huge difference.

The city of Granbury (Hood County) is located about 20 miles away...  the whole town square is now on the Historical Record.  It brings in a lot of tourists from Ft Worth and other places.  When reading about small Texas towns to visit, Granbury is probably near the top.  BUT...  just down the road is Glen Rose...  well worth your time to stop by and check out.  It has a lot more than I've noted here and I seem to find something new each time I wander the streets.

Hope you've enjoyed your city tour...  it's been my pleasure!

All for Today....