Historical Markers in Texas

Lake Polk Park

Nature·Bell County·Texas

Soon after establishing the city of Temple, the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad Company built a dam on nearby Bird Creek to create a reservoir and ready water supply. By 1900 a group of investors formed an association to develop a park at the site to be named in honor of railroad general manager L.J. Polk. The park offered such recreational opportunities as boating, fishing, croquet, and tennis. Local citizens assisted in landscaping the area and enjoyed the facilities for a ten-cent admission fee. The area eventually became a private club and, later, a city park. (1991)

Getting there

31.0995, -97.3703

Locations are approximate and may be inaccurate, on private land, or otherwise inaccessible. Check before you travel.

Hear it from the road

Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.

Download Whistlestop on the App Store