I.D. Fairchild State Forest – 2,788 Acres
Originally
a part of the State Prison System, the land that was called State Forest #3 was
transferred in 1926 to the Forestry Department of Texas A&M University
(now called Texas A&M Forest Service). The property consists of
approximately 2,788 acres in three tracts in the western portion
of Cherokee County. The main tract — 2,083 acres — is just a few miles west of
Maydelle, Texas, and is bisected by State Highway 84.
The only
sawmill ever operated by the State of Texas was located on the site. In the
early 1900s citizens of Rusk and Palestine made a strong plea to encourage the
State Legislature to extend the State Railroad to Palestine on the basis the
line was needed to help timber interests. As a result, the Mewshaw mill was
constructed on the site in 1907. It was staffed with convict labor and had a
daily production of 35,000 board feet of lumber. Mewshaw burned in 1912 and
was never rebuilt.
At the time of acquisition from the State Prison
System, the forest was already well-stocked and large scale plantings were not
necessary. However, in 1939, some restoration followed a large wildfire that
swept through the Mt. Hope tract just east of Maydelle, killing an estimated
150 acres of young pine trees.
From 1933 until 1936, a large
Civilian Conservation Corps camp was located on the main tract. Enrollees
constructed roads, fire breaks, small ponds and bridges on the forest; today,
some of these improvements may still be found. Many of the poles used for fire
control telephone lines connecting lookout towers throughout East Texas were
harvested by the CCC from State Forest #3.
For a number of years,
TFS utilized former CCC facilities to host annual personnel meetings at the
forest. The buildings were also used for outdoor education camps by local
conservation groups, 4-H and public schools. Most of the structures were
dismantled in the mid 1950’s.
To recognize his support of forestry
in Texas, on September 11, 1956 State Forest #3 was dedicated the I.D.
Fairchild State Forest, after the late Senator from Lufkin. A large plaque
can be found on state forest property, adjacent to, and south of the
intersection of State Highway 84 and FM 747.
Like other Texas state
forests, the Fairchild is a working, demonstration forest and has served as a
site for numerous silvicultural and research studies: harvest cutting, farm
forestry, timber stand improvement, reforestation, tree growth, prescribed
burning and seed production. The forest also hosts a small population of the
federally-listed endangered species, red-cockaded
woodpecker. Today, forest management activities focus on habitat protection
for this important species of the southern yellow pine ecosystem.
Click here to view the I.D. Fairchild State Forest map.
Educational Opportunities
Forest
resource education and nature study tours are available by appointment.
No
hunting is allowed on I.D. Fairchild State Forest except for a weekend youth
hunt conducted in cooperation with Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department.
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking
(Click here to download the GPX file for the hiking
trail.)
Horseback riding
Picnicking
Bird watching
Wildlife viewing
Biking
Special Attractions
Red-cockaded woodpecker management area
Pond with picnic area
Various forest management demonstration areas and sites
Open
The forest is open year-round during daylight hours.
Texas state forests are game sanctuaries with no firearms or hunting
allowed.
No restroom facilities are available on this state forest.
Information
Jacksonville District Office
1015 SE
Loop 456
Jacksonville, TX 75766
Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm
903-586-7545
Map
Trail
map