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  Texas : Towns A-Z / Hill Country : Bandera

BANDERA, TEXAS

"Cowboy Capital of the World"

Bandera County Seat, Texas Hill Country
Highway 16 and Hwy 173
23 miles W of Boerne
25 miles S of Kerrville
30 miles N of Hondo
42 miles NW of San Antonio
30 miles E of Vanderpool on scenic FM337

Population: 957 (2000) 877 (1990)


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Bandera Texas metal art signs
One of the metal art signs lining Bandera main street
Photo courtesy Chia-Wei Wang, August 2006

Bandera became "Cowboy Capital of the World" in part because of its numerous Dude Ranches. The area became popular with San Antonians wanting to escape the city's summer heat - and in the 20s and 30s - with increased car ownership (Bandera never had a railroad) "Dude Ranches" started appearing. Several of the oldest are still in business today.


  • Bandera County Courthouse
  • Burlington, Kentucky and Bandera, Texas:
    The Courthouse Twins

    Feature to Feature Comparison of Kentucky's Boone County Courthouse & Texas' Bandera County Courthouse

  • Visiting Bandera by Byron Browne

  • Bandera Area Attractions

  • Hill Country State Natural Area
    11 miles southwest of Bandera 5,400 acres of primitive camping and equestrian trails. Over 4,500 acres provide trails for people who bring in their own horses to ride. The area was a gift from Louise Lindsey Merrick who presented it to the state in the 1970s. 830-796-4413
    http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us
  • Frontier Times Museum:
    13th Street at Pecan Street 210-796-3864
    One of the more interesting museums in the state since it started so early (1920s) when historical items curios were abundant. Over 30,000 items on display.
  • St. Stanislaus Catholic Church: 7th Street and Cypress Street. The Church dates from 1876, although the steeple wasn't erected until 1906
  • Other architecturally interesting buildings are:
    The Old First National Bank Building 309 Main Street
    The Oldest Stone Building c.1855 Cypress Street at 11th Street
    The Bandera County Jail designed by Alfred Giles c. 1881
    The Huffmeyer Store at Main and Cypress c.1875
  • Former Bandera County jail, a stone jail, Bandera, Texas
    Former Bandera County jail
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, January 2003
    More Texas Jails


    Bandera Pass marker
    The Historic Marker at Bandera Pass

    TE Photo, 2001
    Bandera is situated along the banks of the Medina River. The name, according to legend, was either named after a Spanish Officer named Bandera or after a large flag (Bandera) that marked the Bandera Pass - the agreed upon boundary that kept the Indians separated from the Spanish settlers. The pass was the scene of several encounters between Rangers, and Indians.

    The pass is north 12 miles on Hwy 173 just north of the cutoff for FM 2828.

    History on a Cypress Shingle

    The numerous Cypress trees along the region's creeks provided wood for shingle manufacturing and a mill was set up in 1852. This was the first business in Bandera - although the end product was sold in San Antonio.

    Polish immigrants entered the area and set up St. Stanislaus Catholic Church - the second Polish Catholic Church after St. Mary's in Panna Maria (Karnes County). Father Leopold Moczygemba, founder of Panna Maria also established the Polish community here.

    See The Bandera Tragedy Tree

    Several historical markers are in the immediate vicinity. One honoring the oldest founding resident (Amasa Clark who died at the age of 101) and another for the last Indian victim in Bandera County.

    Pollys Chapel east of Bandera
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, August 2004
    More Texas Churches
    Downtown Bandera Texas  and water tower
    Downtown Bandera
    Photo courtesy Chia-Wei Wang, August 2006
    Main Street Bandera c. 1960
    TE Postcard Archives
    Area Hotels - Book Here & Save
    Boerne Hotels
    Kerrville Hotels
    San Antonio Hotels
    More Hotels

    Bandera County Towns & Ghost Towns

    Bandera County Seat - Bandera
    Bandera County Courthouse
  • Lakehills
  • Medina - [A Trip to Medina]
  • Pipe Creek
  • Tarpley
  • Tuff
  • Vanderpool
    Bandera Tourist Information
  • Bandera County Convention and Visitor's Bureau
    1-800-364-3833
  • Bandera County Texas Chamber of Commerce
    P.O. Box 171 Bandera, Texas 78003
    Phone: 830-796-3045 Toll Free: 800-364-3833
    http://www.banderatex.com/

  • Bandera Texas Forum
    Ezra Alpheus Chipman Family Photos from 1907

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    This page last modified: January 31, 2008