Marquez combines the history of a railroad settlement with activities at Lake Limestone. About seven miles northwest of Marquez, the Sterling C. Robertson Dam impounded the Navasota River, a tributary of the Brazos River, creating the lake. This gives you two distinct areas of focus for planning your trip: Marquez’s local history and activities on the water. If you’re looking for accommodations, first consider which of these matters most to your trip.
Marquez and Its Local History
Marquez lies on the west bank of the middle section of Brushy Creek. The town was established in 1871 as a station on the International-Great Northern Railroad; a post office opened in 1872. The private Leon Academy opened in Marquez in 1902 and had 166 students. These milestones span the railroad station and early post office through a later chapter in the area’s educational history.
The Old Bowling School and Masonic Lodge was built by settlers around 1860 and served as a place for community meetings. From Marquez, take State Highway 7 east for about 3.8 miles to FM 1147, then continue south for about 3 miles. Check road conditions before driving.
The Long Hollow Community schoolhouse was built in the 1880s and also served as a community center and church. The single-nave Shilo Church also had an additional educational role in Marquez’s early years: it was also used as a schoolhouse at the time. The buildings differ in their respective roles in the community—from a meeting place, to a schoolhouse that also served as a church, to a church that was used for teaching.
Grayson Cemetery is on private property; permission is required to visit.
Lake Limestone: Fishing, Camping, and Water Activities
Black bass fishing is available at Lake Limestone year-round. Spring is considered the best season for good catches of large specimens. Fishing is not limited to this season, but spring is the highlighted season if you’re especially interested in catching large black bass. Regulations and conditions may change, so it’s worth checking them before fishing.
Lake Limestone Public Use Area #5 includes a 10-acre area for primitive camping. Leon County Park is on the lake’s east shore at FM 39 and has a two-lane boat ramp. Those comparing camping with boat access will find two different options around Lake Limestone. Check current facility conditions before your visit.
Seasonal waterfowl hunting is also available at several free public access points on Lake Limestone, provided water levels allow it. Both the season and water level matter, and applicable regulations also apply. For trip planning, the lake activities therefore differ significantly: black bass fishing is available year-round, while hunting is seasonal and depends on water conditions.
Planning Priorities for Your Trip
When choosing accommodations, you can start with your trip’s interests: Marquez’s historic buildings and development offer a different focus from fishing, camping, or the boat ramp at Lake Limestone. For lake activities, the season, water level, and specific access point are important planning factors. If you’re considering several activities, check the conditions for each one individually rather than assuming they’ll all be available.
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Go to the main travel overview: Leon.
