Attractions
Fort Griffin State Historic Site
By Judy Wade
A Texas flag flies proudly atop a high hill on the west side of Highway 283 between Throckmorton and Albany, welcoming you to what remains of the historic Fort Griffin.
In the 1800s, settlers streamed west to take advantage of land and opportunities in Texas and other western territories. This migration increased immensely after Texas’ statehood in 1845. After the Civil War, many Kiowa and Comanche people who had been forced onto reservations north of the Red River began returning to their homelands in West Texas. Settlers began demanding protection against these nomadic Indians.
The United States Army established a line of frontier forts, and as settlements pushed farther west, a second group was built including eight forts and one presidio. One of these was Fort Griffin.
July 31, 1867, Lt. Col. Samuel Sturgis and four companies of the 6th Cavalry arrived to begin establishing what was first known as Camp Wilson high on a plateau overlooking the Clear Fork of the Brazos River in north central Shackleford County. The name was soon changed to Fort Griffin.
If you think all forts are buildings surrounded by a stockade, you’ve been watching too many westerns on TV. Fort Griffin covers almost 100 acres with buildings widely scattered.
Of the more than 60 buildings at Fort Griffin, only six were constructed of stone. Among them were the administration building, bakery, sutler’s store and powder magazine, which sat a good distance from other buildings for safety purposes. The bakery and powder magazine have been reconstructed.
Other buildings were constructed of wood. The mess hall and some enlisted men’s quarters have been rebuilt. The kitchen and mess hall were located near the enlisted men’s barracks. In the mess hall, soldiers ate a limited diet of beef, bread and coffee. Dried beans, canned fruit and seasonal fruit and vegetables were added when available.
To read more pick up a copy of the November 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
It’s already March and the smell of springtime parties and special events is in the air.
Everybody knows in order to have a great party, you’ve got to have the right music.
Well, that’s where my friend Katie Dieter comes to the rescue.
Katie, aka DJ KD “The Spinner,” has been spinning the right mix for parties and special events throughout North Texas for years now. Her passion for music helps to make your special event one your friends will never forget. Whether you’re planning a wedding, banquet, school event or just a backyard get-together with friends, DJ KD “The Spinner” is the right call for you.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Seems lately these days Texas is becoming the envy of musicians from around the world.
With the overwhelming response to “Yellowstone,” the television series, Texas once again finds itself under the microscope of the world, much like the late 1980’s TV series know to all around the globe as “Dallas.”
With that said, the musician population in Texas is beginning to grow as many aspiring performers turn their sights on Texas instead of Nashville. Meet my newly-found friend and fellow musician Grace Partridge. This youthful 19 year old has recently made Texas her new home. She began fiddling at age four in Rigby, Idaho. Grace worked her way through the National Fiddle championships in Weiser, Idaho, becoming a five-time national champion. She’s even played on the Grand Ole Opry. Still yet, her desire to become a true Texas Fiddler has brought her to the Lone Star State. I’m pretty sure we can thank Bob Wills for that.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January 2024 issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
On Nov. 4, 2023, the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra will present an evening of Texas Cowboy, Country and Western Swing with yours truly, Dave Alexander and the fabulous Quebe Sisters.
Enjoy the music of Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Gene Autry and many more of your Texas Music favorites performed with a full symphony orchestra. We also will feature music from my latest CD, “From The Saddle To Symphony Hall,” along with some of my own compositions. It is guaranteed to be a night to remember.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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