An early observer remarked that the Western Cross Timbers post oak forest was sometimes referred to as the Cast Iron forest that was impassable in places. But in other areas agricultural Indians like the Caddo, Anadarko, Ioni and the more recent Delaware,[they came as scouts] regularly burned the brush and smaller trees from the woods, reducing the accumulation of deadwood. Burning stimulated the growth of open meadows and blackberries and increased the deer and turkey populations. Early Stephenville was described as park-like, with post oaks growing far enough apart for little bluestem to grow among them. Two wagons abreast could travel through the oaks. And even though it was a new concept, Anglo immigrants continued the use of fire to maintain the forest and prairie.

Dan Young, Town and Country Bank, “A Calendar of Erath County Horticultural History, 1982.”