Frontier Village

We had the opportunity to visit Frontier Village in Denison, Texas this week.

"Frontier Village of Grayson County is a non-profit organization founded in 1966 to establish a frontier village at Loy Lake Park. In this replica of an early village, structures and artifacts historically significant to Grayson County preserve the rich background of the pioneers who settled here in the nineteenth century." - from their website

There was one cabin in particular that looked like it was lifted from the pages of Little House on the Prairie. It was set up almost identical to the description in Laura's writings of the home Pa and Ma built together in Indian Territory. The only exception was that this cabin had a loft where the children slept. The Ingalls cabin in Indian Territory was a one-story structure.

I took some photos at Frontier Village to share:

Here is the table and chairs where the family ate situated in front of the fireplace, used for both heating and cooking.


The dresses were hung on nails in the wall, next to the bed, which was just across from the table.

The bed's platform was nothing more than criss-crossed ropes. My daughter, Chloe (isn't she adorable?) shows what's under the thin mattress.

This spinning wheel was in a different cabin, but I show it because of the description in Farmer Boy. Almanzo's parents were almost completely self-sufficient. They raised sheep for wool, and Mother would spin the wool into yarn or thread, and then use a loom (also partly pictured below) to make cloth.

The cabin on the right is the one that most resembles Laura's Little House on the Prairie in Indian Territory. The one on the left is a stable.

Frontier Village is a great place to visit. They are open 7 days a week, year round, from 1-4 p.m. We had a private tour for our group. They are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable people! We had a great time, and will definitely go back.

If you're in North Texas, or anywhere close, I highly recommend visiting them.