WHITE ROCK LAKE HISTORIC TRAIL HIKES. Developed By. Troop 106, Dallas, Tx Revised By Troop 64, Dallas, Tx

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1 WHITE ROCK LAKE HISTORIC TRAIL HIKES Developed By Troop 106, Dallas, Tx Revised By Troop 64, Dallas, Tx The White Rock Lake Historic Trail Hike was originally developed by Troop 106 as a Texas Sesquicentennial Project. In 2012, Troop 64 revised and updated all hike information for scout troops and the general public who use and treasure the lake on a regular basis. A five-mile version and a ten-mile version are both available. A colorful patch is awarded to each hiker successfully completing either version. Successful completion involves two basic elements: (1) Hiking either distance. (2) Correctly completing the historical data questionnaire relevant to the specific distance hiked. The following materials are included in the hiker information packet: (1) White Rock Lake Map and Distance Information. (2) Lake History Information. (3) 5-mile Hike Questionnaire. (4) 10-mile Hike Questionnaire. (5) Hiking enjoyment tips. (6) White Rock Lake Historic Trail Award Application. [1]

2 HIKING ENJOYMENT TIPS WHITE ROCK LAKE HISTORIC TRAIL HIKES In order to ensure maximum pleasure and comfort during your five or ten mile hike, please read the following list of hiking enjoyment tips. All official Scouting units must have the proper tour permits approved by the proper BSA governing units. The city of Dallas does not allow any camping at White Rock Lake. The nearest BSA camping is at Camp Wisdom. Plan your hike for the early morning hours, beginning about 7:00am. Most parking areas at the lake open at that time. A morning hike will usually avoid the crowded conditions often encountered at the lake later in the day, particularly in the early spring and late fall. OBEY ALL SIGNS. Remain on the recommended route, all of which is on public property. Do not venture onto private property. Do not collect souvenirs from your visit. Always hike single file. When on the trail, keep to your right. When on the road, keep to your left unless otherwise instructed by your trail guidance material or by signs. Watch carefully for bikers and joggers. Do not go into the water at any point on your hike. Swimming and wading are prohibited by law. Cross roads in groups of not more than four at a time. Use only designated restroom facilities. Dress appropriately for existing weather conditions. Stop to rest every thirty minutes or so. All hikers should carry at least one liter of water with them. Water fountains are located along the hike route. Use existing containers for trash disposal. NEVER LITTER!!!! Respect the rights of other park users. ENJOY YOUR PARK! ENJOY YOUR HIKE! HAVE FUN! [2]

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4 LAKE HISTORY INFORMATION WHITE ROCK LAKE HISTORIC TRAIL HIKES MAP REF. LOCATION HISTORICAL DATA A Spillway Land was acquired during the period by The City of Dallas for the construction of White Rock Lake. Approximate 2,500 acres were purchased at an approximate cost of $353,000. White Rock Lake dam and spillway were completed in 1910 at the cost of $765,000. The original surface area of the lake was 1,254 acres at the spillway level. B Park Entrance As the lake was originally built for Dallas water (Garland Rd. at supply purposes, it was initially managed by the Lawther Drive.) City Water Dept. Supervision was transferred to the Park and Recreation Dept. in C WRT 104 White Rock Lake is fed by the White Rock Creek Marker sign which originates from an underground source approximately 2-1/2 miles southwest of Frisco, in Western Collin County. White Rock Creek flows approximately 22 miles in a south and then southeasterly direction before reaching the lake. White Rock Lake is about 2-1/2 miles long and one mile wide at its widest point. From the spillway, White Rock Creek travels south for about 6-1/2 miles before merging with the Trinity River, which eventually flows into the Trinity Bay, north of Galveston, Tx. Along the lake s shoreline, remains of the retaining wall may be seen. This wall was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps., during the period of D Winfrey Point To the Civilian Conservation Corps. and the National Park Service goes much of the credit for improving the lake area for recreational uses. These two groups worked as a unit during the time the CCC Camp was in existence at White Rock Lake. The camp was established in 1935 and continued until January 1, 1942, when the U.S. Army requested transfer of all buildings for war-related use. Some twenty structures had been built at the Winfrey Point CCC Camp. These buildings were put to war use first as an Army Air Corps Boot Camp and later as a prisoner of war camp holding captured German troops. [4]

5 MAP REF. LOCATION HISTORICAL DATA The present structure at Winfrey Point was built in 1942, for use a recreational facility. E Sunset Bay The recreational facility at this location was built by the CCC in F Dixon Branch This bridge was built in Dixon Branch is the Bridge largest White Rock Creek tributary entering the lake. G Stone Tables The pavilion at this location known as the Dixon Branch Pavilion, was built in 1930 by the City of Dallas Park Dept. H Dreyfus Club At one time about 200 camping units or cabins dotted (Sol Dreyfuss the east side of the lake. About one third of this Memorial Point) number were boat houses and the other two thirds were dilapidated buildings. Generally, these buildings were of flimsy construction and many of them had assumed an unsightly appearance from the time they were built. All of them were on a yearly lease with a typical lakefront dimension measuring 25 ft. Realizing that these private leases granted special privileges which interfered with the public interest, the Park Board, in 1939, adopted a policy of requiring the removal of such structures. By 1950, all units had been removed. The Dreyfuss Club was built in 1942, for use as a recreational facility. I Bath House The Bath House was built in 1930 by the Dallas Park Cultural Center and Recreation Dept. Its beach featured a concrete slab 612 feet wide, extending 162 feet into the lake. During the summer of 1931, beach attendance totaled 179,000. The large trees surrounding the Bath House were planted in the 1930 s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Known as the old swimming hole, the beach was closed in the 1950 s due to severe drought in the area. Today s renovated facility was re-opened in 1981, under the direction of the City Arts Program, becoming Dallas first neighborhood Cultural Center. As such, it offers a variety of exhibits, workshops and theater events. J Corinthian At one time, White Rock Lake hosted speedboat champ Sailing Club -ionship races. High powered, high speed boats were a common sight on the lake. However, since the 1950 s, [5]

6 MAP REF. LOCATION HISTORICAL DATA White Rock Lake has been primarily a sailing lake. For a fee, boat owners may dock their boats at one of several piers located in this area. For many years a double-decked party boat, the Bonnie Barge plied the waters of the lake. Operating from a pier in this vicinity, it ceased operation in the mid 1950 s. K Big Thicket The Big Thicket Lodge was constructed by the National Park Service in conjunction with the CCC during the period The Big Thicket has served several purposes during its life, including a period as a bicycle rental concession. L Boy Scout Hill Approximately one-half mile north if this location is Flagpole Hill and the pavilion and concession building at Doran Point. The concession building (now used as a Park and Recreation Dept. Regional Headquarters), and the pavilion were both built in The many cedar trees surrounding Flagpole Hill were planted in the 1930 s as part of the CCC/National Park Service White Rock Park Project. A bench mark near the Doran Point Pavilion indicates that the elevation at that location is 551 feet above sea level. The hillside on which you are presently standing on was used on numerous occasions in the early 1950 s as a Boy Scouts of America Camporee location. M Runner s Parking Several major dredging operations have been Lot West of conducted at the lake over the years in order to remove Mockingbird Br. slit deposits. During one such operation, the dredge named the Joe B. Lawther, sank on Nov. 17, It was refloated later that same day. Joe B. Lawther, was mayor of Dallas from Lawther Drive, which exists around most of the perimeter of the lake, was named in honor of Mayor Lawther. Lawther Drive was paved in N Contemporary Along the western shores of the lake, numerous Home Overlook private estates exists, representing many architectural styles. Certain of these estates were developed during the 1930 s, while others are recent additions to their respective neighborhoods. O Cox Cemetery Cox Cemetery is a private cemetery dating back to the 1800 s. [6]

7 MAP REF. LOCATION HISTORICAL DATA P Mount Vernon Long considered a White Rock Lake landmark, this distinctive home closely resembles George Washington s Mount Vernon home. Q Fisher Road From the Fisher Community near Fisher Rd. and (note 4 rocks Trammel, this road continued into the White Rock on hillside) Creek bottom, crossing a bridge and connecting with what is shown as Lakeland Dr. on current city maps. R Foot Bridge This Bridge was constructed during the mid 1970 s as part of a park improvement program to provide bike and jogging trails. During World War II, the Park Board set up overnight camping areas within walking distance of home so boys would be able to gain camping experience in spite of the gasoline shortage that reduced opportunities for broader travel. S Boat House at The boat house was built in It originally consist- T.P. Hill ed of separate stalls, each available to boat owners on a lease basis from the city. The Boat House is presently used as a shelter for rowing crews. T Pumping Plant The White Rock Lake Pumping Station was built to process lake water for the City of Dallas consumption. It was last used for this purpose in the late 1950 s. The plant originally included two major buildings, two ground level purification tanks, underground holding tanks and a railroad spur connecting to the Southern Pacific tracks. The spur was used during the plant construction and was removed in At one time a fish hatchery was located about 100 yards west of the pumping plant. The hatchery was built by the Park Dept. in Also not far from the pumping plant was the Pea Patch, a city prison farm where prisoners worked off fines at the rate of $1.00 per day. The Pea Patch operated from 1931 until 1935 and was briefly reopened in U Dam The dam is an earth filled structure containing 333,680 cubic yards. It is 2,100 feet long, 214 feet thick at the base, 20 feet thick at the crown and has a maximum height of 40 feet. The upstream face of the dam is concrete slab and is feet above sea level. [7]

8 FIVE MILE HIKE HISTORICAL DATA QUESTIONAIRE WHITE ROCK LAKE HISTORICAL TRAIL HIKES The Five-Mile Hike begins at the Boat House, shown as T on your map. This hike ends at the Bath House Cultural Center, shown as J on your map Parking is available at both locations. The Bath House Cultural Center is accessible from Buckner Blvd. via North Cliff Drive. MAP Ref. Miles QUESTION ANSWER S 0.0 How many doors are located on the shore side of the Boat House? T 0.5 According to the date on the Pumping Plant, in what year was it completed? U 1.2 How long is the White Rock Dam? A 1.4 What is the elevation of the dam? B 1.8 What is the date listed on the plaque on the back side of the park entrance marker? C 2.1 What is the total approximate length of White Rock Creek? D 2.9 What is the architects name that designed Winfrey Point? (see plaque) E 3.3 How many window panes are in the front windows of the Sunset Bay structure? F 3.8 According to the plaque on the west end of the Dixon-Branch Bridge, when was the Bridge built and by what organization? G 4.0 How many stone tables do you count at this location? H 4.5 From the Sol Dreyfuss Memorial Plaque, _ What is the compass bearing to the Pumping Station smokestack? Who donated the plaque? _ I 5.0 Approximately how many feet long is the Bath House? _ [8]

9 TEN-MILE HIKE HISTORICAL DATA QUESTIONAIRE WHITE ROCK LAKE HISTORICAL TRAIL HIKES The suggested beginning and ending point for the Ten-Mile Hike is the Spillway, shown as A on the map. However, as the hike is concluded via one complete circuit of the recommend trail, the hike can begin and end at any map reference location where parking is available. MAP Ref. Miles QUESTION ANSWER A 0.0 What are two years listed on the water fountain Marker at the spillway? B 0.4 What organization originally managed White Rock Lake? What organization donated the Lawther Drive entrance marker? C 0.8 What is the approximate length of White Rock Lake? D 1.5 What is the architects name that designed Winfrey Point? (see plaque) E 1.9 What does the initials CCC represent? F 2.4 According to the plaque on the west end of the Dixon Branch Bridge, who were the president and secretary of the City of Dallas Park Board in ? G 2.6 Looking at the restroom facility at this location what creature is depicted on the window grill work on the side facing Lawther Dr. at the men s entrance? H 3.0 In what year was the Sol Dreyfuss Memorial Point Plaque placed on the stone wall in front of the former Dreyfuss Club site. I 3.3 What was the beach attendance during the summer of 1931? 1 of 2 [9]

10 TEN-MILE HIKE HISTORICAL DATA QUESTIONAIRE - Cont. MAP Ref. Miles QUESTION ANSWER J 3.6 Who was Bonnie Barge? 1. The daughter of a city official. 2. A schoolgirl from Scotland. 3. A female speedboat racer. 4. All of the above. 5. None of the above. K 3.9 How many window openings are there in the Big Thicket structure? L 4.5 What is the difference in elevation between the Benchmark (refer to map) near the Doran Point and the elevation at the Dam? M 4.9 What happened near this location on November 17, 1937? N 5.6 What is the name of the next street which intersects Lawther Drive from this residential area? O 6.2 For who was Lawther Drive named? P 7.0 How many columns do you see on the front of the Mount Vernon replica? Q 7.1 What name is on the memorial plaque which has been placed on the largest of the four rocks on this hillside? R 7.7 What is the approximate width of this branch at the foot bridge? S 8.3 When was the Boat House built? T 8.8 Using one of the methods from the Boy Scout Handbook, estimate the height of the Pumping Station s smokestack. U 10.0 How many cubic yards of earth were used in the construction of the White Rock Dam? Name: Group: Date: 2 OF 2 [10]

11 AWARD APPLICATION WHITE ROCK LAKE HISTORICAL TRAIL HIKES Use this form to order recognition patches: 5-Mile Date Hiked 10-Mile Date Hiked GROUP NAME: LEADER NAME: LEADER ADDRESS: LEADER PHONE: Names of individuals completing hike: (While all hike participants are encouraged to complete the Historical Data Questionnaire, only one completed questionnaire per group is required to be submitted with this application. Please note with a check mark the names of all Adult Leaders.) Number of Leaders completing hike Number of youth completing hike Total number completing hike and questionnaire: Leader s signature Date: Please send this form along with $2.75 for each patch ordered to: Richard Franco, Jr., 7014 Huff Trail, Dallas, Tx Phone: rfranco64@hotmail.com Total Number of Patches: Make checks payable to Troop 64, B.S.A. [11]