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Bandera water
tower & signature cowboy metal sign
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.
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.
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.
[ See The
Bandera Tragedy Tree ] |
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One of the metal
art signs lining Bandera main street
Photo courtesy Chia-Wei Wang, August 2006 |
Bandera Area
Landmarks / Attractions:
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Former Bandera
County jail
designed by Alfred
Giles c. 1881
One block SE of Hwy 16 in Bandera
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, January 2003 |
Historical Marker:
Bandera County Jail
Built 1881.
Local stone, cypress floors used.
Housed county offices until 1890. Used 57 years.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965.
More Texas Jails
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St.
Stanislaus Catholic Church: 7th Street and Cypress Street. The
Church dates from 1876, although the steeple wasn't erected until
1906
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.
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 Huffmeyer Store at Main and Cypress c.1875
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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
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St. Stanislaus
Catholic Cemetery
Photo
courtesy Byron
Browne, December 2007 |
| Photo
courtesy Irene Van Winkle, July 3, 2011 |
"Kelly's
Coffee" mural by Bill Stevens
Photo courtesy Bill Stevens |
Bandera Pass
1936 Centennial
Marker:
Bandera Pass
Celebrated Indian pass known from the earliest days of Spanish settlement.
Identified with many a frontier fight and many a hostile inroad.
Old Ranger trail from the Medina to the Guadalupe River and the
United States Army route between frontier posts followed this route
through the mountains.
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Bandera
Pass Centennial Marker
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. |
Longhorns crossing
the Medina
Photo courtesy Bill Stevens |
Ruins of the
Silver Spur Dance Hall.
Photo courtesy Byron
Browne, December 2007 |
Cactus in Bandera
Photo courtesy Chia-Wei Wang, August 2006 |
Bandera Chronicles
Lizzie
Hay and the Demise of the Lone Highwayman by Mike Cox
Sometimes, no matter how good the story, a compelling tale gets
forgotten. That’s sure the case with the Texas outlaw known in his
day as “the lone highwayman.”
Frontier
Times by Mike Cox
In the fall of 1923, with the Old West still very much alive in
the memory of many who had lived it, a peregrinating newspaperman
named J. Marvin Hunter started a monthly magazine called Frontier
Times... In all, his name had appeared on the masthead of 16 newspapers
at various times, but the Bandera New Era (which he published from
1921 to 1935) and later the Bandera Bulletin (1945 until his death
in 1957) were his two longest-running newspapers.
Hardin
Ranch Rodeo - Early Rodeos Were Thrilling and Dangerous by Michael
Barr
"Toots Mansfield from Bandera won the calf roping and the double
mugging events at the Hardin Ranch Rodeo in 1935. Toots was a 6
time World Champion calf roper and a member of the Pro Rodeo Hall
of Fame."
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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/
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Bandera
County 1920s map
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
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