Menard, Texas, formerly Menardville, Menard County seat. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
The town once known as Menardville was formed in 1858. The following year Ft. McKavett was deactivated, leaving the settlers without protection from the Indians. After the Civil War the fort was reopened and while nearby Mason was supplied from San Antonio, Menard received its supplies via Burnet.
The county was organized in 1871 with county court being held under the branches of a Live Oak tree. They built their first courthouse in 1872 and Menardville settled into a period of hard work and slow but steady growth.
A bad flood of the San Saba River occurred in 1899 and the railroad arrived in 1911. In one of those little historical quirks that abound in Texas, the railroad asked the town to drop the ville from its name to make sign painting easier. Menardville complied and was renamed Menard.
The town had as many as 2,500 people in the mid 1920s.
Menard, Texas
Historic Landmarks & Attractions
The Menard County Museum
In the AT&SF Depot on the Northside of the San Saba River. Donated to the city when the railroad pulled out, the museum opened its doors in 1978.
Menard County Historical Museum
Former Menard Depot
TE photo
Historical Marker:
Pioneers Rest Cemetery
Burial plot was begun by Adam Bradford, who buried his father, Jack Bradford, here in 1863. As the town and cemetery grew, the city bought the tract from Mrs. Gustav E. Schleicher in 1904. Fence surrounding cemetery was built of stone from the old courthouse and jail, razed in 1931, and reputed to have been in the original structure of nearby San Luis de Las Amarillas (Built by the Spanish in 1757). Final resting place for many area pioneers, including soldiers, cowboys, gamblers, preachers, civil war veterans, Indian fighters, and Texas Rangers.
1973
Pioneers Rest Cemetery
In town on US83 - an attractive cemetery with a very interesting terrain.
TE photo
Menard, Texas Chronicles
by Mike Cox ("Texas Tales" Column)
A few folks knew of a solitary tombstone surrounded by a fence in a live oak mott east of Menard off what locals call River Road (FM 2092)...
The San Saba River at Menard's Stock Pen Crossing Park
TE photo
Menard, Texas Area Destinations
- Fort McKavett State Historic Site
- Stock Pens Crossing Park
Spacious park with beautiful river view - just west of town - The San Saba River Park - 12 acres with deep shade and picnic tables - a stone's throw from downtown.
- The Ditch - An irrigation ditch first dug in 1756, it still flows through the Menard's downtown.
- Mason
- JunctionMenard Tourist Information
Chamber of Commerce: 915-396-2365
website: http://www.menardchamberofcommerce.org
Menard water tower
TE photo, 2000
Mission Drive-In Theater in Menard
TE photo, 2002
Menard County 1907 postal map showing Menardville
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
Menard County 1920s map showing Menard
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
Menard, Texas Forum
- Subject: Menard
Hi, I'm (James) Coe Linn, and I was born in 1937 in Menard and was raised there. I noted the great photos on your website.
The old drive-in theater was the Mission Drive-In as was the old theater downtown... the Mission Theater owned and operated by Henry Reeve. I went to the Saturday matinees at the downtown theater as a child and then to the drive-in while in junior high and high school.
The crossing on the San Saba was called the Stock Pen Crossing. There was a swimming hole just a few yards east of the crossing that we called "High Banks." We had a very long rope in a big pecan tree and could swing almost to the other side of the river. Many happy memories swimming there.
A short distance to the west of the Stock Pen Crossing was the Baptist Encampment, and open-air revival facility with cabins and camping facilities.
I really enjoyed your website. Please check out http://www.menardroots.com/.
I graduated in 1954 from Menard High School. The section on MHS Annuals is a great compilation of many of the High School yearbooks.
Regarding Fort McKavett, Theodore Roosevelt�s son, Elliot Roosevelt, spent time in the Fort McKavett area hunting and relaxing in the sunshine. Best wishes. - Coe Linn, Austin, Texas, June 24, 2004
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