SHARE YOUR STORY: Paula & Steve Diller - How We Became Winter Texans

Originally published in print on Thursday, January 30th, 2025

Where are you from? How did you hear about Fort Clark Springs?

These are common questions most of us have been asked numerous times. We thought it would be interesting if members would share their comments on these two questions. The
following is our answers for inquiring minds. We are Steve and Paula Diller in Unit 37 and have been coming to FCS since 2005. It all started over 40 years ago in Northern Ontario, Canada at our family owned fishing camp. Two very good friends of ours, John and Barbara Hunter, fellow property owners from Canada, were our neighbors at our fishing camp. John would often invite us to this place in Southwest Texas called FCS located at Brackettville. He would describe FCS as a great place located in the middle of nowhere with the closest WalMart 30 miles away. He went on to say FCS was a deactivated Calvary Fort turned into a recreational resort for families. He would describe all the amenities and things to do since they started coming in the early 1970’s during Nat Mendelsohn days. He suggested when I retire that we strongly consider heading to FCS to visit and check out this hidden gem.
When I retired at 55, we purchased a motorhome , left Lakeville, Indiana and headed south to Texas via New Orleans. We finally made it to the RV Park at FCS and immediately fell in love with the place. We were to stay 2 weeks but ended up staying 4. The next winter, we extended our time to 6 weeks and continued to stay longer each time. We now stay approximately 7 months.

   In 2010, we purchased our home in Unit 37. The changes at FCS have been enormous throughout the years. Previously almost all new members were gained through the RV Park, which was ALWAYS FULL in the winter months. Other things lost were the plays, dances, restaurant and much more. We do have trash pickup still!  In spite of the lack of amenities that were offered in the past, it is the people at the Fort that really make this place special. I can not help but think of what our dear friend, John Hunter would say about this Texas gem “STAY OUT OF THE POLITICS”.

This is our story.......Where are you from and how did you hear about Fort Clark Springs?

Paula & Steve Diller suggested this column and KCP joins them in hoping others will share their story with our readers and the community!
If you’d like to share your story, please email editor@kinneycountypost.com

Editor’s Note: Happy Belated Birthdays to Paula (Jan. 8) & Steve (Jan. 3)! Thank you for sharing your story!