Bandera Texas, Cowboy Capital of the World. (original) (raw)

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 ]

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

Bandera Area Landmarks / Attractions:

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

• 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

• 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

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.

	Bandera Pass Centennial MarkerTE 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."

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 County 1920s map
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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