Camp Wood, Texas, Real County. (original) (raw)

Nueces Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2011

Camp Wood, Texas Landmarks

& Photo Gallery

Centennial Markers in Camp Wood
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2011

Site of Camp Wood Centennial Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2011

Camp Wood Chronicles

Lindbergh by Mike Cox

Had it played out differently, what happened in Real County in 1924 could have changed aviation history... To give Camp Wood another tourist attraction, the chamber attached a large model airplane to the front of their building in such a way that it looked like it had crashed into the structure. Eventually, the small plane ended up in the local museum, which also has the wooden propeller Lindbergh and Klink left behind. more

Charles A. Lindbergh in Texas historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2011
Click on photo for large image

Historical Marker: Lindbergh Park on SH 55, Camp Wood

Charles A. Lindbergh in Texas

Texas was important in the career of aviation hero Charles A. Lindbergh (1902-75). When he bought his first World War I surplus Jenny in Georgia, he flew it to Texarkana in 1923, so he could say he had flown in Texas -- the ambition of every barnstormer. With L. A. Klink in March 1924, he landed Klink's Canuck in Camp Wood while trying to fly to California. The next day in attempting a take-off, he accidentally crashed into Warren Puett's Store. No one was hurt, and his offer to pay for the damage was rejected. Then called "Slim," Lindbergh made many friends here. Two weeks after visiting Camp Wood, he became a U.S. Air Service cadet at Brooks Field, San Antonio. He completed advanced flight training at Kelly Field in 1925. On May 20-21, 1927, he made the first solo flight from New York to Paris, to world acclaim. Later in 1927, he returned to Texas, surveying the first commercial transcontinental air route through Amarillo; in 1929, he inaugurated U.S.-Mexico airmail in Brownsville. A great aviation pioneer, he drew up and proved many major world air routes. He flew in combat in World War II; collaborated in medical research; helped organize the Berlin airlift; and remained a hero to people of Camp Wood and Texas.
(1977)

Scenic Drive:

Hwy 337 is regarded as one of the best scenic drives in Texas, certainly one of the best in the Hill Country. A loop originating in Camp Wood is recommended by the Texas State Travel Guide: Go northwest on 55 to Barksdale and then North on 335. Go east when you intersect with Hwy 41 and continue until you reach 336. Turn south to go the 27 miles to Leakey. This will put you back on 337 to return to Camp Wood. Nueces Canyon Chamber of Commerce: 830-597-6241
Website: www.campwood.com

Nearby Destinations

• "Swimming to Mexico" Part III
  WATER - Medina River, Sabinal River, Nueces River, Leona River & Rio Frio
  TOWNS - Medina, Vanderpool, Utopia, Concan and Uvalde

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