History
First Inhabitants
Archeological evidence suggests that people have hunted, foraged and fished in this area for as long as 12,000 years.
This land was home to many Indigenous peoples, including the Tawakoni, who were part of the larger Wichita confederacy. These early communities lived throughout North Central Texas and relied on the region’s rivers, forests and grasslands for hunting, farming and trade.
Settlement and Change
European settlers arrived in the area in the mid-1800s. They established small farms and ranches across the countryside, using the Sabine River and its tributaries for their water needs. However, those same water bodies wreaked havoc when they flooded.
Building the Lake
The Sabine River Authority created Lake Tawakoni in 1960 to reduce flooding and provide water for local communities. The Iron Bridge Dam formed the 37,879-acre reservoir which now serves as the headwaters for the Sabine River.
The new lake submerged old farmland and reshaped this area into a thriving habitat for wildlife and outdoor recreation.
Becoming a State Park
Texas Parks and Wildlife acquired land along the southern shore of the lake in the mid-1980s. After years of development, Lake Tawakoni State Park officially opened in 2002. The new park offered trails, campgrounds and lake access for visitors.
Today, the park draws residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and beyond for relaxation and recreation.
Don’t Pocket the Past!
Help preserve Texas heritage. If you find a suspected artifact (historical item), leave it where you found it and report its location to a ranger.
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