Tyler Texas Online Love's Lookout Park near Jacksonville, Texas



Love's Lookout Park near Jacksonville Texas

Love's Lookout entrance area near Jacksonville, Texas

A short trip south of Tyler on U.S. Highway 69 is Love's Lookout, located in Cherokee County just north of the City of Jacksonville, Texas.

At an elevation of 713 feet, it has long been known for its spectacular views to the east, on clear days as far as 30-35 miles. It is often referred to by locals as "Lookout Mountain".

Love's Lookout Scenic Park is a great place for walking or for family picnics, and includes a 5,500  square foot facility with restrooms, vending machines, an information center and a sheriff's sub-station. 

Love's Lookout is about 29 miles from downtown Tyler via U.S. 69, and the drive time is about 40 minutes.

For more information, we recommend a visit to the Jacksonville Texas Chamber of Commerce web site.

Love's Lookout view to the east
Love's Lookout view to the east
Love's Lookout, elevation 713 feet above sea level
Love's Lookout, elevation 713 feet above sea level

Historic marker and plaque: "On this nine mile long ridge there are two historic lookout points which command a view of 30 to 35 miles"
Historic scenic marker and plaque: On this nine mile long ridge there are two historic lookout points which command a view of 30 to 35 miles. Between this site, with an elevation of 713 ft., and Point Lookout (1/4 mi. NW), lies a narrow valley. An Indian trail and later a pioneer road crossed this valley. The pass became known as McKee's Gap in 1846, after Thomas McKee led a group of Presbyterians here from Tennessee and began the town of Larissa (3.5 mi. nw). Named by McKee's son the Rev. T. N. McKee, the village flourished as the location of Larissa College from the 1850s until the 1870s. Point Lookout was a popular recreational area for citizens of Larissa until the railroad bypassed the town and it declined. Around the turn of the century, John Wesley Love (1858-1925) bought this land and developed a 600-acre peach orchard. Known as Love's Lookout, the scenic point was used for outings by area residents. After Love's death, his family gave 22.22 acres, including the lookout site, to the state for a park. The City of Jacksonville bought 25 adjoining acres and developed both tracts as a WPA project. J. L. Brown (1866-1944) and Jewel Newton Brown (1873-1966), former Larissa residents, gave the city 122 acres next to the park in 1940 in tribute to pioneers of Larissa.

Picnic area and shelter at Love's Lookout Park on U.S. Highway 69 north of Jacksonville, Texas Bench with Lone Star at Love's Lookout Scenic Park in Texas

Bench with Lone Star at Love's Lookout Scenic Park in Texas



Love's Lookout Scenic Park in Texas, between Jacksonville and Bullard Loves Lookout Park picnic area

looking east for 35 miles from Loves Lookout Park in Texas

Blue Star Memorial Sign at Love's Lookout, Jacksonville, Texas
Blue Star Memorial Sign at Love's Lookout, Jacksonville, Texas

Another beautifully painted tomato ... at the Love's Lookout Visitor's Center near Jacksonville, Texas
Another beautifully painted Jacksonville tomato ... at the Love's Lookout Visitor's Center