Vanderpool, Texas, Bandera County scenic town. (original) (raw)
FM337 to Vanderpool
TE Photo, 6-01
Vanderpool is one of those rare places where you can get away from the world and still be in Texas. We would call it the "Crossroads of Western Bandera County" but you might get the idea there's a lot of traffic through here. There isn't.
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A view from FM337 near Vanderpool TE Photo, 6-01 |
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History in a Pecan Shell
The first settlers of the Sabinal Valley date to the early 1850s. Comanche misbehavior in the 1860s caused the settlers to rethink their plans, and it wasn't until 1886 that the town got a post office.
The Sabinal Valley had been home at various times to several Indian tribes and the fact that Apaches made villages, attests to the desirability of the location.
The rugged terrain and natural protection afforded the Indians, made this one of the last parts of Texas to be settled. A grave in nearby Leakey cemetery shows the last Indian attack there to be in 1881.
It had been known as Bugscuffle, and indeed - there was a Bugscuffle school. The first postmaster had the much more dignified name of L. B. Vanderpool, and decided for the sake of future generations to rename the town after himself.
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The Vanderpool Cemetery TE photo, 6-01 |
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Vanderpool, Texas Natural Attractions
- Birding - Green Kingfisher is seen year-round, and the entire area is a great birding destination.
- Scenic Drive - FM337
Vanderpool provides a nice place to stop if you've driven FM 337 in from Medina. FM 337 is really the only way to enter Vanderpool - it's consistently rated one of the top ten scenic drives in the state. - Garner State Park
Take 337 West 17 miles to Leakey. From here head south on 83 through the Frio River Canyon to Garner State Park. - Lost Maples State Natural Area
Go North on 187 to Lost Maples State Natural Area. Besides the bigtooth maples there�s a forest of sycamores thriving on the waters of the Sabinal River. Fall foliage makes this area a must for return visits when the color peaks (usually) in early November.
Bandera County 1920s map showing Vanderpool
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
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