John Henry Kirby State Forest


The John Henry Kirby State Forest is a forest reserve located in Tyler County, Texas. Located just fourteen miles south of Woodville and seventeen miles north of Kountze, it is used primarily for research by Texas A&M University. It is open to the public for picnics and touring only. The 6.6 mile Longleaf Nature Trail is located within the state forest. Any revenue generated is donated to student-loan programs at Texas A&M. The land was donated to the state by the lumber baron John Henry Kirby in 1929.
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps planted trees, improved timber stands and constructed a residence, fire lookout tower, roads, fire breaks and bridges.