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History in
a Pecan Shell
By Carolyn
Heinsohn
Named for the park-like appearance of the oak grove in which it was
located. Originated in the late 1800s with a gin built by Clemens
Struve; later sold to Ed Knippel and Emil Prasifka, who also operated
a grocery store and filling station adjacent to the gin. Arnold Prasifka,
a master carpenter, housed his furniture manufacturing business in
his father's old gin, which was eventually demolished.
A general merchandise store built by a Mr. Wolle in the late 19th
century was purchased by Joe Tschiedel, who also built a dance hall,
which still stands, but was later used for a silkscreening business.
Another general store built by Frank Mikes was destroyed by fire and
never rebuilt. Louis Treybig operated a combination filling station,
garage and blacksmith shop unti 1960, when the property was sold,
and the building was razed for a home.
The waters from the Fayette Power Plant cooling lake now cover part
of the Park Road and much of the surrounding farm land. The Park Lodge
provides a supply of groceries, bait, ice and items for visitors to
the lake.
Addendum:
The Ignaz Vasek cabin was located in the vicinity of Park on land
that was taken over by LCRA by eminent domain for the Fayette Power
Project in the mid-1970s. All of the dwellings and cemeteries had
to be moved. The cabin was dismantled and acquired by the San Antonio
Botanical Gardens, where it was reassembled in the East Texas Piney
Woods section of the gardens. - Carolyn
Heinsohn, February 06, 2016 |
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Texas
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