Park, Texas, Fayette County. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
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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