Karnack, Texas facts for kids
Karnack is a small, quiet place in the countryside of Harrison County, Texas. It's not a city with its own government, but rather an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that are part of the larger county. Karnack is located in the eastern part of Texas, close to a special place called Caddo Lake.
The name "Karnack" comes from a very old city in Egypt called Karnak. This ancient city is famous for its temples and is near modern-day Luxor. People thought that Karnack, Texas, was positioned similarly to how Karnak, Egypt, was located near another ancient city called Thebes.
Today, Karnack is home to the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. This important nature area was created in 2000. Before that, from 1942 to 1997, the land was used as the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant. It was a place where ammunition was made for the military.
Where is Karnack Located?
Karnack sits among the tall pine trees of Northeast Texas. It's right next to Caddo Lake, which is one of the biggest natural lakes in the southeastern United States. The land around Karnack is mostly used for farming and growing timber (trees for wood).
Caddo Lake is quite unique. Before a dam was built in 1900, it was already one of the largest natural lakes in Texas. The dam made it even bigger! While Caddo Lake is often called Texas's only natural lake, there are actually many other smaller natural lakes and "oxbow lakes" (lakes shaped like a U) found across the state.
Karnack's Climate
The weather in Karnack usually has hot and humid summers. Winters are generally mild, meaning they are not too cold. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, you might see it labeled as "Cfa."
Learning in Karnack
Students in Karnack attend schools that are part of the Karnack Independent School District. The community has its own schools, including Karnack Elementary School and Karnack Junior/Senior High School.
For students who want to continue their education after high school, Panola College is the assigned community college. Most of Harrison County, including Karnack, is served by this college, according to Texas education rules.
Karnack's Famous Resident
One of the most well-known people from Karnack is Lady Bird Johnson. She was born and grew up right here in Karnack. Lady Bird Johnson later became the First Lady of the United States when her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson, was president.
