The park consists of 1,016.7 acres (411 ha) of public land donated to the state by Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher, as well as the City of Smithville.

Between the years 1933 and 1936, Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher deeded 318 acres (129 ha) of land to the State of Texas.

[2] Companies 1805 and 1811 of the Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the park facilities between 1933 and 1939 using native stone to better blend with the surrounding landscape.

Sunfish, catfish and bass occupy the lake year round, as well as rainbow trout during December and January when TPWD stocks them.

Mammals include White-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, bobcats, and armadillos.