Two Mondays ago we decided on a jaunt to Cedar Hill State Park, a mere thirty minutes away. It has a historical farm on the property - Penn Farms. Here's Ray in front of some old equipment.
Here's the original homestead. The Penns came from Illinois and settled in this area to grow hay grass and farm cattle. A lake and creeks were a good water source, along with some prairie land.
The Penn Farm was established in 1859, so slaves were a part of the farm life. After the civil war, tenant farmers helped the property.
As we walked the property, we discussed the wild land and rustic conditions. More power to the pioneer women who had to cook, clean, wash, and bear a zillion kids. This was twenty miles from Dallas, so you couldn't just hop in a car for necessities. It would have been a whole day trip by horse and buggy. And we visited on a warm (90s), steamy May day. Whew!
Tough to keep a fresh coat of paint in these conditions.
More Cedar Hill State Park posts will follow. We had a fun adventure.
Hi Joanne - interesting to read about and to see ... I guess they'd have been self-sufficient and not needed Dallas! But it's difficult to think back about those days ... especially as they've existed over millennia and endorsed in most empires. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI am always aware of the rough conditions back in the day. Mr. Penn died from a rattlesnake bite - that says it all. Yikes!
DeleteHistorical places are always so fascinating. I love to imagine myself in the era - and remain grateful that I don't have to stay in it!
ReplyDeleteMe too! This was a nice added bonus to the park, that's for sure
DeleteI might not have survived times as rough as those.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not for me. I'd have been kicked out of the buggy along the trail. Ha!
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