Mother Neff State Park

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's the story of Mother Neff State Park. Now, some parks get their start with a grand vision, a government commission, a ribbon-cutting with somebody important holding oversized scissors. This one got its start with a grandmother's six acres and a will.

Mrs. Isabella E. Neff willed a six-acre plot to the state of Texas in 1916.

Six acres. You could walk the boundary of it before your coffee got cold. But here's the thing about that little piece of Coryell County land.

Texas had no state parks at the time. None. So when Mrs.

Neff wrote up her wishes, she had to describe what the land was for in terms the law could recognize, and she said it was to be used for religious, fraternal, political, and educational activities. That was the closest thing available to saying: people ought to have a place to gather. Her son was Pat M.

Neff, who would go on to serve as Governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925. And it seems that gift from his mother planted something. Seeing the need for more such areas, the 39th Legislature, in 1923, created the State Parks Board.

A grandmother's six acres nudging a whole legislature into action. Then in 1934, Pat Neff himself deeded 250 acres to enlarge the original tract, and other owners added 3 more acres on top of that. What started as one woman's modest bequest became the first official state park in Texas, and the idea that sparked an entire state parks system.

Six acres. That's where it all began.

What the marker says

First official state park in Texas; suggested the idea for the State Parks system. Originated with a 6-acre plot willed to Texas in 1916 by Mrs. Isabella E. Neff, mother of Pat M. Neff, Governor of Texas (1921-1925) Because Texas then had no state parks, Mrs. Neff stated the land was to be used for religious, fraternal, political, and educational activities. Seeing the need for more such areas, in 1923, the 39th Legislature created the State Parks Board. In 1934 Pat Neff deeded 250 acres, and other owners 3 acres, to enlarge the original tract.