Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland

Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland (HM2DEH)

Location: Brookston, TX 75421 Lamar County
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Country: United States of America
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N 33° 38.552', W 95° 42.405'

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Inscription
This meadow, approximately 2100 acres, is the largest section of native grassland existing in Texas. It was originally part of a prairie system that stretched throughout the Midwestern United States and into Canada. Since the earliest settlers arrived in this area in the 1830s, when Texas was part of Mexico, this grassland has remained uncultivated, providing an annual harvest of native grasses.
A lack of fuel and surface water made this area unsuitable for pioneer farmers. Although similar land nearby was tilled and planted, often resulting in erosion or overworked soil, this site was saved by the owner M.L. Smiley (1872-1953). A native of Lamar County, he used the meadow for cattle grazing and for hay production.
Early harvests consisted of cutting and stacking the grasses for drying, or transporting the hay to nearby steam-powered presses. The process was later simplified by the use of gasoline-powered machines that harvested and baled the hay on the site.
After Smiley's death, the meadow was inherited by brothers George S. and Gene M. Woodfin. Today the Smiley-Woodfin Prairie Grassland is the largest supplier of native hay in the state.
Details
HM NumberHM2DEH
Tags
Year Placed1981
Placed ByTexas Historical Commission
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Tuesday, January 8th, 2019 at 7:01pm PST -08:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)15S E 248958 N 3725808
Decimal Degrees33.64253333, -95.70675000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 33° 38.552', W 95° 42.405'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds33° 38' 33.12" N, 95° 42' 24.3" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)903
Which side of the road?Marker is on the right when traveling West
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 1117 US-82, Brookston TX 75421, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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