camp ford

jarrodb341

This is a very cool place with lots of history. Every school should bring their kids to visit this historical site.

txusmc94

After so many years of neglect it is great to see a peace of history being restored. I had a family who served in the confederacy and were assigned here before being sent to Tennessee to fight the union. I enjoyed the quiet walk around the property. Even with the immediate location so close to the highway you got a sense of those who perished there. A must for any history buff or family tree researcher.

Lunchdate818

Camp Ford is the site of a most dreadful Civil War POW Camp. circa 1863-1865. It is slowly being restored after much neglect and after being threatened by commercial encroachment. But Camp Ford is rich in American history. The Union soldiers who were imprisoned there in deplorable conditions deserve to have the memory of their sacrifice preserved, because without that sacrifice the USA might not exist. My GGGpa was held there for 10 months 1864-65 and I trembled as I walked in what I am sure were his very brave footsteps.

935jamief

This was small roadside history marker with information in an open air building and a small walking trail with some "reconstructed" dwellings. Great for an American history buff. Probably not too interesting for kiddos and such.

carrieredflash

Kids loved the rustic trails, small bridge and small cabin and tent they could go in. Lots of artists renderings showing the civil war encampment. Husband is a military history buff and found the site very interesting. I enjoyed just being outside on the wooded trails.

KDT688

A nice walk with informative historical information. I would like to have see tunnel prisoners dug and replica of mud cave dwellings.

elizabethn845

Very interesting and fun to walk through. Need some repairs though. It was worth the time spent. Great for outdoors activity.

CountryHarvestUSA

There is a lot of history in this area of East Texas/ Tyler and if you research it some it will prove more enjoyable. They do have annual festivals there and a good family activity.I just wish they had a bigger display and education points. This was a pivotal part of history.

Nated2519

This is a great stop if your traveling down I-20 between Dallas, TX and Shreveport, LA. You can get out stretch and walk the interpretation trail telling the history of the Civil War POW camp. Worth a stop.

jhhraw

We drove past it before going it and the kids (6,4 and 2) were really excited. Abotu 1/4 way in the kids got bored. There is alot to read and very informative, but not for small kids. It wasnt particularly well maintained. the parking was an open gravel area with multiple holes, not out of character for area. This could be alot more, almost seems forgoten. I would have loved to walk and read on my own, but small kids had very little interest.

TheDigitalCanvas

This historical site has suffered from neglect. The history here is fascinating enough, formerly a civil war prison camp, but so much more could be done to tell the story.

JimmyS20

This is a neat place to stop and visit if you are into the Civil War era. It used to be a prison camp; It has a short path with numerous informative plaques on the area. Lots of trees for shade if visiting in the summer.There are no restroom facilities, so plan ahead.

talltexanfromnc

It was a great history lesson for the children and adults.

bherr

really is not much to see, just a bunch of land with trees on it

BushkaTexas

Camp Ford is located in Tyler, Tx. It's was the largest Civil War prison camp for union prisoners west of the MIssissippi. It's on the side of the road and they have walking trails that describe the scene during the 1860's at the camp. It's very pretty to walk through there with the busy highway next to you. They have a log cabin, dugout and tent to show what their living quarters were like. This is self-guided and only open during the daytime hours. No other structures remain standing as everything was torn down when federal occupation troops came into Tyler. Very interesting to see if you enjoy history. This took us about 30 minutes to walk through the trails and read the kisok information. The trails are dirt paths so wear good walking shoes.