I.D. Fairchild State Forest
The I.D. Fairchild State Forest is a 2,788-acre forest located in Cherokee County. Known as State Forest #3, the Fairchild was originally part of the State Prison System and was transferred to the agency in 1925.
The Fairchild is a working, demonstration forest. It has served as a site for numerous silvicultural and wildlife research studies including timber harvesting, forest management, timber stand improvement, reforestation, tree growth, prescribed burning, wildlife habitat improvement, and seed production.
The forest also serves as a training ground for our employees and cooperators from other state and federal agencies in prescribed fire, dozer operations, reforestation, and timber cruising.
Every year, hundreds of students, forest landowners, and natural resource professionals visit the forest to view sustainable forest management, shortleaf pine restoration, and wildlife habitat enhancement activities that occur in the forest.
The forest also hosts a small population of red-cockaded woodpeckers, a threatened species, and the elusive eastern wild turkey. Today, forest management activities focus on habitat protection for these important species of the southern yellow pine ecosystem.
Hours
The forest is open year-round during daylight hours. No restroom facilities are available on the state forest.
Educational opportunities
Forest resource education and nature study tours for schools and other civic groups are available by appointment only. There are no restroom facilities on the site.
Recreational opportunities
- Hiking
- Bird watching
- Wildlife viewing
- Bird watching
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Biking
Hunting is prohibited, with the exception of the yearly youth hunt conducted in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Special attractions
- Red-cockaded woodpecker management area
- Pond with picnic area
- Various forest management demonstration areas and sites
Map
Find your way through the trails and paths with a map of the I.D. Fairchild State Forest.
History
The only sawmill ever operated by the State of Texas was located on the Fairchild. In the early 1900s, citizens of Rusk and Palestine made a plea to encourage the State Legislature to extend the State Railroad to Palestine to help timber interests.
As a result, the Mewshaw mill was constructed on the site in 1907. It was staffed with convict labor and produced 35,000 board feet of lumber daily. Much of the timber harvested was transported to the state prison in Rusk and converted to charcoal to fuel its iron smelter.
When we acquired the forest in 1925, it was already well-stocked and large-scale plantings were not necessary.
From 1933 until 1936, a large Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was located on the main tract. Enrollees constructed a lookout tower, roads, fire breaks, small ponds, and bridges on the forest. Some of these improvements can still be found today. Many of the poles used for fire control telephone lines connecting lookout towers throughout East Texas were harvested by the CCC from State Forest #3.
For many years, we used former CCC facilities to host annual personnel meetings at the forest. The buildings were also used for outdoor education camps by local conservation groups, 4-H, and public schools.
On Sept. 11, 1956, State Forest #3 was dedicated and renamed the I.D. Fairchild State Forest, after the late state representative and senator from Lufkin, to recognize his support of forestry in Texas.