From ancient history to modern recreation, Glen Rose has it all. Hunt for footprints left by dinosaurs millions of years ago, play a round at Squaw Valley Golf Club, tour Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a wildlife safari park in Texas. Swim with the Dinosaurs! Regardless of what you enjoy, you’ll find something to love at in Glen Rose.
History
Archeological evidence suggests humans have occupied this area for many centuries. Native American Indians lived at sites in the park from about 6,000 years ago until Europeans arrived. They came here for the water and the abundant game, fish and mussels. They were probably ancestors of the Tonkawa, who lived in this region in later times.
The Tonkawa were bands of hunter-gatherers. Besides hunting game and catching fish and mussels in the river, they harvested pecans and walnuts, wild grapes and other local foods.
In the 1700s, Wichita groups migrated south from the high plains into this area. Wichita people built villages of conical huts, hunted buffalo and farmed.
Nomadic bands of Comanche also moved south into Texas about this time. The Comanche were highly skilled horseback riders. One of the largest bands of Comanche, known as “Wasps” or “Honey-Eaters,” rode through present-day Somervell County. They spent winters in this area, grazing their ponies on the grass prairies, protected from the cold north winds by limestone bluffs.
French traders and explorers were likely the first Europeans to travel through this area, also in the 1700s.They traded with and gained the support of the Comanche and Wichita. In part, this was because the French would supply guns and ammunition.
Evidence in stone
In 1908, a flood of epic proportions roared down the Paluxy. It washed out all bridges and culverts on the river and scoured the riverbed.
A year later, nine-year-old George Adams discovered something amazing in the river: large, three-toed tracks – theropod tracks
Nearly 20 years later, a fossil collector for the American Museum of Natural History in New York named R. T. Bird saw one of the theropod tracks in a shop in New Mexico. He decided to come to Texas and check out the site. While exploring in the river, he was amazed to discover what looked like sauropod tracks, along with the theropod tracks. The tracks were the first proof that sauropods walked on land.
Saving the tracks
The 1,587-acre Dinosaur Valley State Park opened in 1972. Its mission: to preserve these valuable dinosaur track sites and to allow people to learn from and enjoy them.
You can’t miss the models of an Apatosaurus (70 feet) and Tyrannosaurus rex (45 feet) near headquarters. The fiberglass models were on display at the 1964-65 New York’s World’s Fair.
Dinosaur Valley State Park – Info Here
HISTORY
Have you ever wondered how Fossil Rim Wildlife Center came to be, or how we have changed and grown over the last 30-plus years? Our history is an interesting story of one man’s passion, a couple’s call to
conservation and the sustaining efforts of many dedicated people whose love for animals brought them to a small Central Texas town to fight on the behalf of endangered animals.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is where Africa comes to Texas. Our 1,800-acre facility offers a 7.2-mile scenic drive where you can interact with approximately 1,100 rare and endangered animals roaming free in their herds.
Stay in your car, reserve your Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is where Africa comes to Texas. Our 1,800-acre facility offers a 7.2-mile scenic drive where you can interact with approximately 1,100 rare and endangered animals roaming free in their herds.
Stay in your car, reserve your spot on a guided tour, or even spend a night at our Foothills Safari Camp or The Lodge to see 50-plus species of wild animals including cheetahs, wolves, giraffes, rhinos and more. The delicious food at The Overlook Cafe is paired with an incredible view overlooking the park and our Nature Store offers an array of souvenirs to take home to family and friends.
While Fossil Rim is sure to provide a unique experience and exciting adventure, we are dedicated to the conservation of species on the brink of extinction. Fossil Rim conducts scientific research, trains professionals, responsibly manages our natural resources and is committed to public education.
Growing concern over loss of wild habitat and species extinction compelled Tom to experiment in captive breeding at Fossil Rim. In 1982, he brought Grevy’s zebras to the ranch in his first effort to propagate an endangered species. Fossil Rim became the first ranch to participate in a Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Success with the Grevy’s SSP spurred work with other endangered animals, such as the African addax.
The Lodge and the Foothills Safari Camp cabins are just about the closest you can get to camping on a safari in Africa without traveling out of Texas. The Lodge itself was originally the house built by Tom Mantzel – the man who started this great wildlife park. It boasts five bedrooms: two on the first floor, two on the second floor and one on the third floor.
The two on the first floor are named the Hummingbird and Egret rooms, and they each have two full-size beds, a closet, a dresser and a fireplace in them. They share a bathroom at the end of the hallway.
Each of these rooms has a spectacular deck that is easily accessible from sliding doors in each room. The deck overlooks the pasture in the front of the house, where you can see a variety of our animals in their natural habitat, such as herds of addax or sable antelope.
The common area located on the first floor is full of family-friendly amenities such as books, a pool table, board games and a few binders full of facts about Fossil Rim and the animals here. There is also a wet bar that has beautiful stained glass; this is where the adults can enjoy themselves and have a drink or two. Currently, The Lodge and Foothills Safari Camp are BYOB.
Wrapping around the second floor, there is a covered deck that allows guests to have an elevated view of the pastures that surround The Lodge and the creek that runs through the property; it is the perfect place for watching our animals.
Fossil Rim is open 362 days per year, so it is always a good time to stay in the land of the Texas safari.
Reserve The Lodge at Fossil Rim – HERE
HISTORIC COURTHOUSE SQUARE
ABOUT THE HISTORIC AREA
Downtown squares and especially courthouse squares were the heart and soul of small-town America.
It was no different in Glen Rose with movie theaters, restaurants, most retail stores and offices all located within walking distance of each other. Today, the Glen Rose Courthouse Square features several specialty shops and museums.
The Courthouse is within in easy walking distance to restaurants and even a historic inn.
BRONZE STATUE
Swimming and Tubbing Over the Dinosaur Tracks in the Paluxy River
The Creation Evidence Museum of Texas is an educational museum. The Museum is funded solely by contributions from individuals or groups wishing to see the truth of creation made known.
They are located in Glen Rose in Somerville County. The museum was founded in 1984 by Director Carl Baugh for the purpose of researching evidence and displaying exhibits that support the Biblical creation.
The Creation Evidence Museum provides scientific evidence for creation to thousands of people each year.
Every year, new artifacts and documents are added to the museum’s collection through the generosity of individuals.
One visit will keep you coming back time and time again. Whether you like to camp, bring a travel trailer or RV or stay in a quaint little cabin house full of history, they have it all. On weekends bluegrass entertainers flock to the sound stage within the park providing free concerts. They also have a beautiful olympic (plus sized) pool for relaxing on warm Texas afternoon.
History
Archeological evidence suggests humans have occupied this area for many centuries. Native American Indians lived at sites in the park from about 6,000 years ago until Europeans arrived. They came here for the water and the abundant game, fish and mussels. They were probably ancestors of the Tonkawa, who lived in this region in later times.
The Tonkawa were bands of hunter-gatherers. Besides hunting game and catching fish and mussels in the river, they harvested pecans and walnuts, wild grapes and other local foods.
In the 1700s, Wichita groups migrated south from the high plains into this area. Wichita people built villages of conical huts, hunted buffalo and farmed.
Nomadic bands of Comanche also moved south into Texas about this time. The Comanche were highly skilled horseback riders. One of the largest bands of Comanche, known as “Wasps” or “Honey-Eaters,” rode through present-day Somervell County. They spent winters in this area, grazing their ponies on the grass prairies, protected from the cold north winds by limestone bluffs.
French traders and explorers were likely the first Europeans to travel through this area, also in the 1700s.They traded with and gained the support of the Comanche and Wichita. In part, this was because the French would supply guns and ammunition.
Evidence in stone
In 1908, a flood of epic proportions roared down the Paluxy. It washed out all bridges and culverts on the river and scoured the riverbed.
A year later, nine-year-old George Adams discovered something amazing in the river: large, three-toed tracks – theropod tracks
Nearly 20 years later, a fossil collector for the American Museum of Natural History in New York named R. T. Bird saw one of the theropod tracks in a shop in New Mexico. He decided to come to Texas and check out the site. While exploring in the river, he was amazed to discover what looked like sauropod tracks, along with the theropod tracks. The tracks were the first proof that sauropods walked on land.
Saving the tracks
The 1,587-acre Dinosaur Valley State Park opened in 1972. Its mission: to preserve these valuable dinosaur track sites and to allow people to learn from and enjoy them.
You can’t miss the models of an Apatosaurus (70 feet) and Tyrannosaurus rex (45 feet) near headquarters. The fiberglass models were on display at the 1964-65 New York’s World’s Fair.
Dinosaur Valley State Park – Info Here
HISTORY
Have you ever wondered how Fossil Rim Wildlife Center came to be, or how we have changed and grown over the last 30-plus years? Our history is an interesting story of one man’s passion, a couple’s call to
conservation and the sustaining efforts of many dedicated people whose love for animals brought them to a small Central Texas town to fight on the behalf of endangered animals.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is where Africa comes to Texas. Our 1,800-acre facility offers a 7.2-mile scenic drive where you can interact with approximately 1,100 rare and endangered animals roaming free in their herds.
Stay in your car, reserve your Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is where Africa comes to Texas. Our 1,800-acre facility offers a 7.2-mile scenic drive where you can interact with approximately 1,100 rare and endangered animals roaming free in their herds.
Stay in your car, reserve your spot on a guided tour, or even spend a night at our Foothills Safari Camp or The Lodge to see 50-plus species of wild animals including cheetahs, wolves, giraffes, rhinos and more. The delicious food at The Overlook Cafe is paired with an incredible view overlooking the park and our Nature Store offers an array of souvenirs to take home to family and friends.
While Fossil Rim is sure to provide a unique experience and exciting adventure, we are dedicated to the conservation of species on the brink of extinction. Fossil Rim conducts scientific research, trains professionals, responsibly manages our natural resources and is committed to public education.
Growing concern over loss of wild habitat and species extinction compelled Tom to experiment in captive breeding at Fossil Rim. In 1982, he brought Grevy’s zebras to the ranch in his first effort to propagate an endangered species. Fossil Rim became the first ranch to participate in a Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Success with the Grevy’s SSP spurred work with other endangered animals, such as the African addax.
The Lodge and the Foothills Safari Camp cabins are just about the closest you can get to camping on a safari in Africa without traveling out of Texas. The Lodge itself was originally the house built by Tom Mantzel – the man who started this great wildlife park. It boasts five bedrooms: two on the first floor, two on the second floor and one on the third floor.
The two on the first floor are named the Hummingbird and Egret rooms, and they each have two full-size beds, a closet, a dresser and a fireplace in them. They share a bathroom at the end of the hallway.
Each of these rooms has a spectacular deck that is easily accessible from sliding doors in each room. The deck overlooks the pasture in the front of the house, where you can see a variety of our animals in their natural habitat, such as herds of addax or sable antelope.
The common area located on the first floor is full of family-friendly amenities such as books, a pool table, board games and a few binders full of facts about Fossil Rim and the animals here. There is also a wet bar that has beautiful stained glass; this is where the adults can enjoy themselves and have a drink or two. Currently, The Lodge and Foothills Safari Camp are BYOB.
Wrapping around the second floor, there is a covered deck that allows guests to have an elevated view of the pastures that surround The Lodge and the creek that runs through the property; it is the perfect place for watching our animals.
Fossil Rim is open 362 days per year, so it is always a good time to stay in the land of the Texas safari.
Reserve The Lodge at Fossil Rim – HERE
HISTORIC COURTHOUSE SQUARE
ABOUT THE HISTORIC AREA
Downtown squares and especially courthouse squares were the heart and soul of small-town America.
It was no different in Glen Rose with movie theaters, restaurants, most retail stores and offices all located within walking distance of each other. Today, the Glen Rose Courthouse Square features several specialty shops and museums.
The Courthouse is within in easy walking distance to restaurants and even a historic inn.
BRONZE STATUE
Swimming and Tubbing Over the Dinosaur Tracks in the Paluxy River
The Creation Evidence Museum of Texas is an educational museum. The Museum is funded solely by contributions from individuals or groups wishing to see the truth of creation made known.
They are located in Glen Rose in Somerville County. The museum was founded in 1984 by Director Carl Baugh for the purpose of researching evidence and displaying exhibits that support the Biblical creation.
The Creation Evidence Museum provides scientific evidence for creation to thousands of people each year.
Every year, new artifacts and documents are added to the museum’s collection through the generosity of individuals.