You are here

Exploring The Parks: Tracing LBJ's Footsteps

Share

Published Date

November 21, 2013
A visit to the Lyndon Baines Johnson National Historical Site in Texas provides some great insights into the former president. Photo by David and Kay Scott.

A visit to Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park allows a person to understand why our 36th U.S. president chose to return and spend the remainder of his life in the Hill Country of Texas following his five-year term in the White House.

The Hill Country was where Lyndon Johnson had been born and raised. It is a rugged and beautiful land with a favorable climate that draws tourists and retirees, while at the same time retaining many of those who are born here. Insert a comfortable home overlooking the Pedernales River into this land, and it is reason to believe that neither the former president nor his wife would have been happy in any other place.

The two of us first visited the ranch many years ago prior to the time when the home was open for guided tours by National Park Service personnel. At the time Lady Bird (a moniker bestowed upon her prior to meeting Lyndon) was still alive and frequently stayed at the ranch, although she spent considerable time in Austin. During that time visitors could only view the exterior of the home from a bus that was boarded at the state park visitor center across the river.

We visited again about ten years ago when Lady Bird, by then quite feeble, came to the adjacent state park and lit the park’s outdoor Christmas tree. Being present that cold December evening was quite a thrill. We visited again in 2011 during a drive to Big Bend National Park.

Our most recent visit was in mid-November of this year. These two most recent visits followed Lady Bird’s 2007 death, thus allowing us on each occasion to enjoy a guided tour of the Johnson house. Only the home’s first floor is currently open to tours. The NPS is at work renovating the second floor that is likely to be open for limited tours within a year or so.

Alternate Text
Superintendent Russ Whitlock answers visitor questions in front of the school LBJ first attended at age 4. David and Kay Scott photo.

The home is furnished with the Johnson’s possessions giving visitors the impression that Lady Bird may be waiting to greet them in the next room. We had this same feeling when visiting Dwight Eisenhower’s Gettysburg home and F.D.R’s home in Hyde Park, New York.

The goal of the National Park Service has been to restore the home to its appearance in 1963-69 when LBJ was president. We were told that whenever Lady Bird replaced something in the home, the National Park Service would squirrel it away the discarded item so that it could be placed back in the home at a later day.

According to our guide, Lady Bird’s bedroom has been left virtually untouched since her death. One interesting note about the second floor; Lady Bird devoted considerable time and money to redecorate an upstairs bedroom in preparation for a 1963 visit by then President John Kennedy and wife Jacqueline. Fate intervened on the date of the scheduled visit when President Kennedy was shot and killed during the Dallas motorcade.

Improvements in communications and transportation – the ranch included 72 phone lines and a 6,400-foot airstrip – allowed the president to conduct a substantial amount of the country’s business from the ranch. During his 5-year presidency, he spent 490 days here. Foreign dignitaries, cabinet members, and other government officials were frequent guests at the ranch where LBJ was most comfortable.

A large part of the Hill Country’s emergence from public obscurity resulted from national news coverage originating from the Texas White House during Johnson’s presidency.

The national historical park is comprised of two sections; the ranch and LBJ’s boyhood home in nearby Johnson City. The ranch section includes Junction School where the future president first attended school at age 4, a reconstructed birthplace home, the grandfather’s home, an open hanger showcasing LBJ’s government jet, and a show barn where visitors can view Hereford cattle descended from cattle that were on the ranch when LBJ lived here.

The historical park continues to be a working ranch with approximately 100 head of cattle. LBJ and Lady Bird, along with other family members are buried in the family cemetery that is a short distance from the ranch house. The Johnson family continues to retain burial rights to the cemetery that is maintained by the National Park Service.

The Johnson City unit includes LBJ’s boyhood home along with restored 1880s structures scattered along an oval walking trail. A general store on Main Street contains exhibits related to the town’s impact on the future president. A visitor center offers exhibits and two films, one each about LBJ and Lady Bird.

Alternate Text
Former President Johnson is buried in a small family cemetery on the grounds of the historical park. David and Kay Scott photo.

The visitor contact station for the ranch is on the south side of the Pedernales River in the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. The contact station is where visitors begin the LBJ Ranch tour.

The state park, approximately equal in size to the NPS-administered ranch, also has a museum and a living history farm as well as recreational opportunities for hiking, swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

Guided tours of the home cost $3 and last about 30 minutes. There is no charge for entrance to either the state park or the national historical park. Access to the rest of the ranch is self-guided.

The historical park is the site of numerous special events including the upcoming 44th annual LBJ tree lighting on December 15. Events scheduled for next year include a kite day in March, a fishing day in June, and a birthday celebration on August 27 when LBJ would have been 106 years old.

Support National Parks Traveler

Your support for the National Parks Traveler comes at a time when news organizations are finding it hard, if not impossible, to stay in business. Traveler's work is vital. For nearly two decades we've provided essential coverage of national parks and protected areas. With the Trump administration’s determination to downsize the federal government, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s approach to public lands focused on energy exploration, it’s clear the Traveler will have much to cover in the months and years ahead. We know of no other news organization that provides such broad coverage of national parks and protected areas on a daily basis. Your support is greatly appreciated.

 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Your urgent support helps the National Parks Traveler increase awareness of the wonders and issues confronting national parks and protected areas.

Support Our Mission

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.