Pottsboro Things to Do

This marker signifies the site of Fort Johnson which was established in 1830 as part of the defence of the Military Road from the Red River to Austin. The fort was named in honour of Col. Francis Johnson who was a Commander of the Texas army at the capture of San Antonio on December 10,1835. The nearest settlement was Georgetown near the Red River. When other communities started to develop, Fort Johnson was vacated.

Treasure Island is a small strip that lies close to the Pottsboro side of Lake Texoma. There are picnic areas, campsites and restrooms. All the islands in the lake are popular on summer weekends. North Island lies behind and to the east of this island and I believe that this is the island to PARTY!! Some wild stuff happens on the beach of this island. Bald eagle watching is a popular autumn activity and several companies offer special tours.

The Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma is a rest haven for migrating and watering waterfowl. There are some 300 bird species which have been recorded on the refuge in addition, to huge flocks of migrants which pass through each fall and spring. Some have seen killdeer, snowy egrets, rails, plovers and sand pipers as well as blue herons and other wading shore birds.

This little fella was crossing the road as we drove by - a roadrunner. beep beep....!!!

Denison Dam and and Powerhouse was constructed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to restrain 89,000 surface acres of water that makes up Lake Texoma. The dam provides hydroelectric power for North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. An interesting thing is that German POW labour was used in the construction which lasted from 1938 - 1944. Tours of Lake Texoma Reservoir Dam are available in the afternoons.

Looking across the lake to the Oklahoma side. There is a 5,426 ft long highway bridge across Lake Texoma at the Willis Ferry which was built in 1960 and replaced a previous crossing south of Woodville, Oklahoma, on Oklahoma State Highway 99 and Texas State Highway 91.