Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Fort Griffin

On Saturday as we explored, we visited Fort Griffin State Historic Site, which was an Army fort established to protect settlers as they moved into the area and forced native Kiowa and Comanche peoples from their traditional lands.  In its heyday, it was home to almost 500 soldiers, officers, their families, and civilians.

It was hot on the afternoon we visited and so the lady at the visitor's center offered to let us use the golf cart reserved for staff to aide in our visit.  The remnants of the buildings were pretty far flung so her offer was most welcome.  Once we got to the site of the fort, we were the only people around.  We enjoyed our tour with nothing but the wind to keep us company.

Well, nothing but the wind and a bazillion grasshoppers!  We couldn't get over how many there were!  It brought to mind a plague of Biblical proportions.  As we would walk or drive the cart, a haze of grasshoppers would scramble to get out of our way.  At one point, I told Vol Fan that I was scared to open my mouth for fear one would fly in!

The life of a soldier on this windy plateau must have been pretty tough.  Vol Fan and I commented that we could not imagine what life would have been like back then.  Not really, even with all the reading materials with accounts of daily life.  This is a shell of the type of barracks that were constructed at the fort.  Four men were housed in each.  So much for privacy!


6 comments:

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Oh that's neat. I like visiting old forts.

George said...

This does sound like an interesting place to visit. What's the secret to getting to use the cart?

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Interesting place... Bet life was hard on those soldiers...

The grasshoppers would drive me batty.... I don't like flying things.. When I grew up in VA, they had bugs called June Bugs (may have another name)--which flew all over the place every Summer mostly in June of course. they never stung anyone --but just having them flying around was something I didn't like.

Hugs,
Betsy

Snooty Primadona said...

Lots of cool old forts in Texas. I'm sure it would take a year to see them all... some restored & some not. I think the biggest one is The Alamo in San Antonio. One of the most fun forts is Ft. Davis down by Alpine & Marfa. Glad to see y'all are getting out & sampling the essence of Texas!

Jeevan said...

So kind of her to offer you golf cart to explore the fort. Grasshoppers are something really scary me and I can’t withstand its unpredictable hop or leap! Lol

I’m sure life would be tough then... leaving the native land would be a painful task for those. Wonderful photos Woody :)

Busy Bee Suz said...

Wow. We are spoiled SO spoiled compared to what they lived in. I too would have kept my mouth shut....those are some big 'hoppers.
XO