Landmark structure in 363-acre state park commemorates Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, first Spanish mission in East Texas, built in 1690 to stem the tide of French settlement, but was unsuccessful and closed in 1693. Reestablished in 1716, the mission was never prosperous, and with the French threat gone, the mission moved to
San Antonio in 1731. Also on site is Rice Family log home-stagecoach inn, one of the many along the El Camino Real (the Royal Highway). Started as a one-room building in 1828, hostile Indians forced abandonment for two years, but Joseph Rice returned and built this substantial way station. Camping, picnicking, hiking and nature study. SW of town off TX 21. Admission.
