Returning to her roots

Gretchen Neff Watson, a native of Houston, recently returned to her roots in Coryell County to attend the 100-year celebration at Mother Neff State Park and the re-dedication of the park’s historical marker. In addition, the park was recently honored by being placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the dedication and unveiling ceremony for the historical markers, Governor Neff’s great-granddaughter said, “I think that both Mother Neff and my great-grandfather, Pat Neff, would be so pleased and so very proud by all the care and effort of those who have continued the legacy.”

Watson continued, “Just thinking about the generations that can benefit from those early day stories and what we can do to carry that forward. I think that would make them feel very special. I hope, as a community, we can carry this forward. The park is just beautiful.”

During the re-dedication ceremony, Melissa Chadwick, superintendent of Mother Neff State Park, said, “Today, we are celebrating 100 years of the Texas State Park system. The plaque from the National Register of Historic Places was presented to us by the Coryell County Historical Commission, and it’s a great honor to showcase this and display what Mother Neff State Park is deserving of.”

Chadwick continued, “Mother Neff is the oldest state park in the park system. The original park consisted of six acres, which was donated in 1921 by Isabella Eleanor Neff, the mother of Governor Pat M. Neff who served as governor of Texas from 1921 until 1925. In 1925, during Governor Neff’s tenure, he created the Texas State Parks Board with the desire of creating a state parks system.”

Speaking on behalf of the Mother Neff State Park Association was Charlotte Weiss who grew up and was raised in the area. “This is a beloved state park. Every time we talk about Mother Neff State Park we refer to it as ‘beloved.’ Isabella Neff (Mother Neff) first referred to it as a ‘wild area’ because of the Indians, but to her, it had to be a true love story for them to stay here and develop this beautiful land for everyone to enjoy. Isabella had the foresight to lay aside the six acres and, had it not been for her, we would not be here today. This truly is a beloved state park,” she said.

Also speaking at the ceremony was State Park Director Rodney Franklin. “What a special day. What a special event. What a special park. We’re celebrating 100 years of state parks, and this is really special to have this honor at Mother Neff State Park – the park that really started the legacy of outdoor recreation in Texas.”

Franklin continued, “We are able to see further today because we’re standing on the shoulders of giants that came before us, and Governor Pat Neff certainly had a vision for a Texas that was dotted with state parks across the Texas landscape, and its truly an honor for me, the staff, and the volunteers that take care of this place for generations yet to come.”

Coryell County Judge Roger Miller was also in attendance at the ceremony. Miller commented, “What a tremendous honor it is to be able to attend the ceremony of a century, and what I think is more important is the legacy of the Neff family, which established the Genesis of the Texas State Park System, which is arguably the most extensive state park system in the nation.”

Miller continued, “It’s also a tremendous honor to have Governor Neff’s great-granddaughter, Gretchen Neff Watson, here with us today and to see the support of the community to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the park system as well as the birthplace of the state park system.”

Gretchen Neff Watson summed up her visit to the park by saying, “I am so proud that the Neff family’s legacy continues to grow in Coryell County and in the great State of Texas.”