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Tidbits of History of the Grey Forest Area
Native
Americans in the area were descendents of those first Americans who
crossed the Bering Straits (Siberia to Alaska) around 12,000 years ago.
This happened toward the end of the last ice age when oceans were as much as
a 100 feet below current levels creating the now submerged land bridge.
Migration to this part of Texas took some 1000 years.
Grey Forest once was home to these ancient hunters and gatherers.
Today on the hills and along the creeks that wind through the area, evidence
can still be found of their existence. Carbon dates on charcoal
samples found with stone artifacts (stone wood working tools, knives, dart
points) prove the first ancient hunters and gatherers made their way to Grey
Forest some 11,000 + (Paleo Period) years ago. An AtlAtl, or
throwing stick, was a tool used by these ancients to throw spears with dart
points or as some mistakenly call them, arrowheads. The bow was
not used until some time later.
Other groups passed through this area leaving artifacts of
Transitional Paleo (8 to 9 thousand years ago) to Early Archaic (6 to 8
thousand years ago) proving a steady stream of people staying in this area.
In the middle Archaic (3 to 6 thousand years ago) larger groups of
ancients actually lived here. Evidence of their camp sites are still
very prominent. Burned rock middens (a European word meaning "kitchen
trash") can still be found on high places overlooking the area's waterways.
In the late Archaic (1500 to 3000 years ago) and the
Historic (300 to 1500 years ago), there were less numbers living here but
their numbers were still in the thousands. During this time
period the bow and arrow were introduced (as far back as 2000 years ago the
transition from AtlAtl to the bow was made).
When the Spanish arrived in this area they documented the
different bands of people living here and in other parts of Texas. The
major tribes in and around the Grey Forest area at that time would have been
the Jumano and Cohuilatecan Indians. They were the true
ancestors of the ancient first Texans. As the Commanche and Lipin
Apache came into this area from the North 300 or so years ago, they
annihilated and absorbed the less hostile ancients they found here. A
later group coming from the East was the Cherokee. Battles were fought
among these later groups as well as with early settlers.
Our thanks to Bob McWilliams for information on Native
Americans. If you want to learn more or have an interest in ancient
artifacts contact Bob at
Texasaaa@Aol.com.
General Juan
Menchaca is credited with being one of the earliest settlers in the
area. He served Spain in the Mexico's war of independence from
Spain which Mexico won in 1821. Nevertheless, General Menchaca
received a land grant from Spain of a large parcel of land running from
Scenic Loop to Austin. His land holdings being so large
and unfenced were gradually encroached upon and taken by settlers over the
years that followed.
Texas Ranger Jack Hayes
is another early settler in the area. He had a notorious reputation
especially among Indians of the area as quite a fighter. Story
goes that Indians would say they would rather fight two of the worst people
on earth rather than Jack Hayes. Jack Hayes served as captain of
the Texas Rangers in the area around 1836.
Grey Moss Inn a popular restaurant
located in the area is considered to be the longest running restaurant in
Texas. It is situated on the old stage coach road now called Scenic
Loop Road. A Treaty Tree still standing
near the Grey Moss Inn is thought to be where several treaties were signed
between settlers and Native Americans in the area.
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