Southern Palo Pinto County

Southern Palo Pinto County is located along the Interstate 20 corridor with the communities of Santo, Gordon, Mingus, Thurber and Strawn found in the area. These communities each have their own unique history and character. At one time the area was among the most highly populated and sophisticated areas in Texas, but in a short few decades became a Ghost Town. Skip forward to modern times and very clearly a Renaissance is underway in the area. Robust Texas History, Picturesque Palo Pinto Mountains, loads of recreational pleasures and the most famous chicken fried steak in Texas are all part of what makes this area so well known! This highly desirable area provides an easy and convenient escape from the big city that is only an hour away in Fort Worth. Most recently preparation for a new state park has begun in Strawn – Palo Pinto Mountains State Park – with construction underway! Additionally, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation operates the Roger R. Fawcett Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Gordon. The WMA offers limited public access while operating as a study and research site for the old-growth Post Oak/Black Jack Oak forest and the associated flora and fauna of this very unique area. The gated subdivision, 7-R Ranch, is surrounded by the Fawcett WMA on two sides and offers residents the opportunity to enjoy living atop Clayton Mountain, with many of the same extraordinary features found in the state park and WMA in a fully private setting. Lake Palo Pinto is located just north of Gordon and offers 2,400 surface acres of recreational enjoyment. Additionally, a new lake; Turkey Peak Reservoir, is on the horizon and will begin just beyond the dam and spillway for Lake Palo Pinto. The ultimate completion of this project will further solidify water availability for the extended area of communities currently served by Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1. Many very exciting things are happening in the collection of small towns that make up Southern Palo Pinto County. Make a drive out west to see what all the excitement is about and be sure to stop for a meal at one of the famous restaurants in the area – Mary’s Café, Smokestack Restaurant or New York Hill just to name a few. Additionally, Tarleton State University operates an outstanding museum in the area – The W.K. Gordon Museum for Industrial History of Texas.