History
Floyd and Fannie Salmon ("Sal-mon") of Grapeland could well fit the term "Jack-of-all-Trades." It all began as part of their dream of owning land with lots of trees and water. In 1960, they acquired fifty acres of completely desolate land which Floyd cleared and built himself, a lake for watering cattle. A few years later, with the help of Floyd's dad, Jake, the idea came to them to open their late to the public. They began transforming the land into a lovely, nostalgic park. The lake was cleared and made into a beautiful swimming lake with a sand bottom, plenty of sand beaches, piers and diving boards. Almost 300 camper hookups were installed. Floyd was able to move old buildings and mule-drawn equipment onto the land. Some of these buildings date back to the early 1900s. He and Fannie began renovating the buildings, being careful to keep the old style and character of each building intact. The buildings are now being used for cabins, reunion halls, old stores, and other places of business. Floyd then built a ten foot water wheel which would power a grist mill. Salmon Lake Park is truly a beautiful park for all to enjoy. Salmon Lake Park is also Home of The Annual Bluegrass Festival. The seed was planted for the future of bluegrass music at Salmon Lake Park when Earl Garner of Elkhart, Texas dropped by and suggested that the park would be a great place for a bluegrass festival. Earl is a well-known personality in bluegrass music throughout the country. Bluegrass music originated in the hills of Kentucky and Virginia and spread southwest to become one of the most popular forms of family entertainment. The instruments used a flat-top guitar, fiddle, mandolin, upright bass, dobro, and five-string banjo. There are no electrical instruments. Promoted by Joe Featherston and Floyd Salmon, the first bluegrass festival became a reality in 1976. Labor Day weekend was chosen for the annual event Friday evening marked the opening of the festival and Sunday morning was enhanced with worship services and bluegrass gospel music. These Labor Day weekend traditions are still in existence. Gradually, arts and crafts were added to accommodate the rapidly growing crowds. A variety of home-cooked foods and cold drinks are readily available. Also added is the Gospel Bluegrass Festival held every Memorial Day Weekend.
Crazy Horse Saloon
The Crazy Horse Saloon was the very first building to be moved into Salmon Lake by Floyd Salmon in 1976. Originally, it was a grocery store located in Mapleton, Texas. One day in 1976, Floyd received a phone call from the owner of the building, telling him that a truck had run into the building, knocking it off its blocks. They asked if he would like to have it, and of course he did! After moving it to the park, he made necessary repairs and remodeled it to resemble a Saloon. The four tables were made by Floyd Salmon, Jake Salmon, Tracy Salmon and Mike Cryer where the names of their families were carved along with the other characters you see on the table tops. The lady painted on the floor of the Saloon was a singer that Floyd Salmon once knew. The bar top was also painted by Floyd Salmon. He was truly a crafted artist! The Saloon is currently used as a reunion hall and seats around 55 people!
Cook's Paints
This building at the front of the park is hiding some interesting antiques. Enter in past the wooden cars and to the left and right you'll see some pretty cool stuff.
Syrup Mill
The syrup mill was originally part of the Ivey syrup mill from Grapeland, Texas. It operates with a 1- cylinder gasoline Fairbanks engine which dates back to 1917. The cane crusher dates back to 1897.
Floyd Salmon fired up the mill in 1988 and he and his friend, Willie C. Faulk, made syrup! The mill has not been in operation since. Check it out next time you come to Salmon Lake. It is located on the hill to the right of the stage.
Old Tree
Did you know that the old tree at the front of the park use to be an old tree located in Palestine?? Yup, that's right!! It is an old, hollow cottonwood tree that was once the centerpiece for the Sawmill Hollow area of Old Town Palestine. It features a face made of farm implement parts constructed by John Kirbo. After being struck by lightening several times it was removed and Floyd Salmon acquired it in 2005 and brought it here to Salmon Lake Park where it is one of the first things you see after diving through the front gate.
It looks like Floyd added a few things to it so check it out when you come to the park!
The Museum
The museum was purchased in 1989 with the help of a close personal friend of Floyd Salmon, John T. Grammer. Mr. Grammer had a daughter, Pam, who tragically died at the age of 25, and the museum was purchased as a memorial to her. At the time of her passing, she was a very talented bluegrass player. When she was 12 she sold her horse and bought a fiddle. She soon learned to play every instrument that had strings and every weekend she and her dad would travel to bluegrass festivals all over Texas. After Pam died, her dad was so heartbroken he helped Mr. Salmon buy the museum in her honor. After finding the perfect house for the museum it was purchased and moved to Salmon Lake in 1989. The house was over 100 years old with high ceilings and a beautiful staircase. It also had no kitchen or bathroom which was consistent at the time. The building was so large that the roof had to be cut off, but Floyd added a second floor when he built the new roof. After completion, Floyd collected items and antiques along with memorabilia for over 40 years to add to the museum. Included was a valuable spur collection donated by Jack Spence and clothing from the 20's, 30's and 40's. It also contained a bear skin rug, antique Coca-Cola freezers, toys, and many other items collected through the years.
Tragically, one year ago today, an electrical issue brought on by a snow storm, caused the museum to burn completely to the ground. Everything in the museum was lost. Eventually, the park hopes to collect enough antiques and other memorabilia and to open another museum to be located at the front of the park. Salmon Lake Park is currently taking donations of park memorabilia, antique items and anything related to the era of the park and Grapeland, Texas.
Carvings
One of the hidden treasures here at Salmon Lake Park is this table and Indian heads carved by Floyd Salmon himself. His wife Fannie painted the table and though time has faded it, you can still see the flowers on the table top. If you look closely you'll see that the two heads are actually carved from one piece of wood. It sits in the blacksmith shop, which was donated by the Johnny Wilkins family in 1995. Come and check it out and the old items hanging in the building. You'll find the blacksmith shop located across from town hall!