Lufkin, Texas
History, Historic House, Natural History, Nature Centers, Science
Texas trees are not always viewed as icons of the industrial growth of the state. When people think of the Lone Star State, visions of cattle, cowboys and oil wells usually come to mind. However, in the decade between 1890 and 1900, the timber business of Texas brought more money to the economy of the state than any other industry. The 14 million acres of the East Texas Pineywoods are still an important contributor to the strength of the state. Sawmills, logging railroads, and modern forest management have all influenced East Texas culture. The century-and-a-half story of the forest industries of Texas, the people who shaped them, the legacies they left, and the changes in forest management are the focus of the exhibits and programming at the Texas Forestry Museum.