RSS 2.0 Feed
John Hallowell
John Hallowell is the past editor of several Hill Country publications. He has been exploring the Texas Hill Country for almost 20 years.
Saratoga of the South
Sun, Oct 17, 2010
The healing springs of Lampasas drew tourists from all over the South during the town's early years.
Down in the Valley
Tue, Nov 30, 2010
The once-isolated Wimberley Valley still has a rustic charm, but it has become a sophisticated and prosperous Hill Country hideaway.
The Pianist
Wed, Dec 01, 2010
The story of Anna Ray Borho is, in a large part, the history of Leander. The railroad town which swallowed up the old settlement of Bagdad has itself become almost a part of Austin, but clues to its unique past remain for those willing to search them out.
The historic town of Liberty Hill
Thu, Dec 09, 2010
Historic downtown Liberty Hill is less than a mile, but more than a century, away from the upscale subdivisions that line Highway 29 in western Williamson County.
Natural Treasure
Wed, Oct 06, 2010
For anyone who still thinks Texas is flat and dry, welcome to the Westcave Preserve
Hiking
Fri, Oct 08, 2010
Some of the hiking trails I've enjoyed in the Texas Hill Country (to be updated)
New Legs for Adam
Sat, Dec 04, 2010
Adam Adray has become a very positive part of the Llano community. Now that community is rallying behind him.
The Llegend of Llano
Tue, Oct 05, 2010
A little over a century ago, Llano experienced an economic boom that made the small town dream big dreams for decades to come. Today's historic district still benefits from the optimistic outlook of the brave pioneers who carved a modern town from a rugged wilderness. Come and experience the Texas Hill Country at its best, in the Llegendary city of Llano.
Cowboy Capital of the World
Wed, Oct 06, 2010
The little town of Bandera has played an enormous role in keeping alive the uniquely American traditions of the Texas cowboy. Here is its story.
The Land of Living Waters
Wed, Oct 06, 2010
The brave souls who finally tamed this wild valley were rewarded with a beautiful "Land of Living Waters." Junction sits at the confluence of the North and South Llano Rivers, where the Hill Country meets the wide open spaces of West Texas. Easy I-10 access is the clincher. You MUST explore Junction and Kimble County!
It's Burnet, durn it!
Thu, Oct 07, 2010
A statue of legendary Burnet County sheriff Wallace Riddell looks across the square at the jail where he presided for 39 years.
City of a Prince
Thu, Oct 07, 2010
Unprepared as they might have been, Prince Solms and his hardy German pioneers were the first to civilize a little corner of the Texas Hill Country.
Hill Country Outlaws
Wed, Oct 06, 2010
Some of the most successful (and strangely likeable) criminals in U.S. history called the Texas Hill Country home.
Fresh from the Good Old Days
Wed, Oct 06, 2010
Since 1868, Naegelin's has offered the best in fresh and delicious baked goods
Enchanted Springs Ranch
Thu, Oct 07, 2010
Go back to the Old West at Enchanted Springs Ranch, just west of Boerne
Darrell Staedtler Day in Llano
Fri, Oct 08, 2010
Llano honored one of its most illustrious citizens earlier this year
Finding Friends at Fuel
Fri, Oct 08, 2010
The Fuel Coffee House in Llano represents the best attributes of life in Texas Hill Country.
Switzerland comes to Texas
Sat, Oct 09, 2010
Daniel Meyer brings a little bit of Switzerland to Fredericksburg
Living the Hill Country Dream
Wed, Oct 13, 2010
Wayne and Kathy Rossi are living their Hill Country dream on a hillside near Dripping Springs. And they're willing to share some of it with you!
Fort Croghan
Fri, Jun 10, 2011
Burnet held its annual Fort Croghan Day on Saturday, October 10, to keep alive the memory of pioneer life in Burnet.
Ranch-style sculpture
Tue, Oct 12, 2010
An Italian artist has created an artistic wonderland on a rocky hill southwest of Johnson City
Hill Country Festivals
Wed, Oct 13, 2010
Every town in the Hill Country has at least one big event to celebrate during the year. Some have more . . .
Mason County's "Hoo Doo War"
Wed, Nov 17, 2010
Mason County Sheriff John Clark and Lieutenant Dan Roberts of the Texas Rangers watched helplessly from the Mason House Hotel (see accompanying photo) while a hooded mob broke into the county jail in February of 1875, and removed five prisoners accused of rustling cattle.The mob hanged four of the five before a posse could intervene, triggering a year of violent reprisals known as the "Hoo Doo War."
Spend the night in Comfort
Mon, Oct 18, 2010
Scarecrows, antiques and lots of history make the remarkable little town of Comfort a great place to visit this fall.
Centuries of History
Mon, Oct 18, 2010
Menard has a century more history than most Hill Country towns, since the Spanish built a presidio here in the mid-1700s.
Have town, will travel
Mon, Oct 18, 2010
The Brazos Bottom Cowographers entertain, teach and have fun at events around the Hill Country.
Stonehenge II
Tue, Oct 19, 2010
Started on a whim, Al Shepperd's replica of England's Stonehenge has become a major tourist attraction.
Rural charm and urban flair
Tue, Oct 19, 2010
A brief history of Boerne -- where San Antonio meets the Hill Country
Looking back, looking ahead
Tue, Oct 19, 2010
An old railroad town with a rich history is experiencing a new boom.
A tale of two creeks
Wed, Oct 20, 2010
German Freethinkers laid the foundations for a remarkable Hill Country community in Sisterdale.
Leading the Way
Thu, Oct 21, 2010
The audacious German immigrants marched boldly into the heart of Comanche territory to establish the remarkable town of Fredericksburg
Luckenbach on the Llano
Fri, Oct 22, 2010
The historic town of Castell is experiencing a resurgence as "Luckenbach on the Llano."
History and Promise in San Saba
Fri, Oct 22, 2010
In a beautiful valley far from any big city, San Saba is capitalizing on its rich history to create a bright future.
A tale of three families
Sun, Oct 24, 2010
Three families settled around the "dripping springs" more than 150 years ago.
The Way to Horseshoe Bay
Thu, Oct 28, 2010
Norman and Wayne Hurd, two cousins from Brady, turned a scenic "goat ranch" into the Hill Country's premiere lakeside resort.
Blanco County History
Tue, Nov 02, 2010
Johnson City, named for a relative of Lyndon Baines Johnson and the president's boyhood home, becomes a wonderland of sparkling lights each Christmas. It is the county seat for Blanco County.
Blanco and Blanco County
Tue, Nov 02, 2010
Blanco County, once almost inaccessible to pioneers, now provides Hill Country living within easy driving distance of Austin and San Antonio.
Blanco County
Tue, Nov 02, 2010
A rugged area with a rich Hill Country tradition, Blanco County has become a center for the arts and a hotbed of lavender production in its role as an oasis of Hill Country living near the cities of Austin and San Antonio.
Heart of the Hills
Thu, Nov 04, 2010
A cypress-shingle camp has grown into a modern city; Kerrville is the unofficial capital of the Texas Hill Country's new economy.
Georgetown
Thu, Nov 04, 2010
With the construction of Interstate Highway 35 in the mid-1960s, Georgetown grew from a sleepy Hill Country town to a thriving city. Fortunately, citizens valued and protected Georgetown's historic center.
Railroads in the Hill Country
Thu, Nov 04, 2010
Railroads turned some small Hill Country towns into boomtowns, but sounded a death knell for others. Either way, the course of Hill Country history was forever altered.
One of the Greatest
Thu, Nov 04, 2010
Joe Randerson is a charter member of our "Greatest Generation." This is his remarkable story.
Kimble Kounty Kow Kick
Wed, Nov 10, 2010
The Kimble Kounty Kow Kick is a wonderful community party in Junction.
Kimble County celebrates 150 years
Thu, Nov 11, 2010
Kimble County has has seen many twists and turns in its 150-year journey from empty wilderness to a modern ecotourism destination.
An American Hero
Thu, Nov 11, 2010
A story of the pre-war Texas Hill Country and one of its finest young men
Talented Teen
Sat, Nov 13, 2010
Camille Sanders is an accomplished actress, ballerina, singer and multi-talented musician from Concan. And she just turned 15!
Oktoberfisch
Sun, Nov 14, 2010
The Fredericksburg Fly Fishers use Oktoberfisch to promote their sport; it also helps to showcase Junction and the South Llano River to a statewide audience.
Thunderbox Road
Sat, Nov 13, 2010
Thunderbox Road was a whacky, whimsical and wonderful traveling art exhibit with a touch of "bathroom" humor and a huge dose of nostalgia.
Hunting in the Hills
Mon, Nov 15, 2010
Hill Country towns offer an enthusiastic welcome to hunters each fall. For good reason.
Woman of Distinction
Mon, Nov 15, 2010
Carole Goble doesn't think she's accomplished much, but those who know her consider her a "Woman of Distinction."
Camels of Camp Verde
Tue, Nov 16, 2010
Camp Verde's claims to fame are a charming country store and the legend of Jefferson Davis's camels.
Hunters boost Hill Country Economy
Tue, Nov 16, 2010
Hunters and the Hill Country have a beneficial relationship.
The Ingram Loop
Tue, Nov 16, 2010
The Old Ingram Loop has become a new center for art and craftsmanship.
Llano County Hunters
Wed, Nov 17, 2010
A group of Florida businessmen has been hunting in Llano County each November for the last 45 years.
Gem of the Hill Country
Tue, Nov 16, 2010
Mason is an unspoiled little Hill Country town, much the same as its German immigrant builders intended it to be.
Classics live on in Brady
Thu, Nov 18, 2010
Tracy Pitcox's dream has helped fuel a resurgence of classic country music across the Texas Hill Country.
A reminder of the "Bad Old days"
Wed, Nov 17, 2010
The story of one courageous Texan girl illustrates the hardships of early life in the Texas Hill Country.
Where are the Marble Falls?
Thu, Nov 18, 2010
The famous marble falls were submerged when the Max Starcke Dam was completed downstream in 1951, but the resulting lake has been the centerpiece of a new economy based on tourism and retirement.
Antique Dream House
Tue, Nov 23, 2010
Longtime antique dealers John Paul and Diana Hudson have a sort of bricks-and-mortar biography in their one-of-a-kind retirement home on the east side of Lake Buchanan
Brady's Supermodeler
Wed, Nov 24, 2010
Bert Streigler is a multi-talented citizen of the Texas Hill Country, a fascinating personality and a real asset to his hometown of Brady.
Heart of Texas Historical Museum
Wed, Nov 24, 2010
While the hours have changed since this photo was taken (see end of story), the museum has just continued to improve.
Heart of Texas Historical Museum
Thu, Nov 25, 2010
While the hours have changed since this photo was taken (see end of story), the museum in Brady's old jail is better than ever!
Brady's War Stories
Wed, Nov 24, 2010
Brady's memories of World War II are more vivid than those of other Texas towns; a lot of history happened here.
Swedish Immigrants in Texas
Thu, Nov 25, 2010
This historic church was the focal point of a Swedish settlement (called East Sweden) just east of Brady in McCulloch County.
Riding with John Wayne
Thu, Nov 25, 2010
Bandera personality Rudy Robbins shows off a picture of his band, Spirit of Texas, performing for Roy Rogers and friends. Robbins had parts in several John Wayne movies and many TV shows.
Taming the Wild West
Fri, Nov 26, 2010
A portrait of Judge D.C. Thomas on the wall of the Lampasas County Courthouse depicts one of the Hill Country heroes who helped to civilize the Wild Wild West. This is his story, taken from his own journals.
Harry's Department Store
Thu, Nov 25, 2010
The restored boot shop in Harry's Department Store gives the impression of a top-quality museum. It is the most prominent example of a trend that is changing San Saba's historic downtown.
Hill Country Movie Star
Fri, Nov 26, 2010
A small actor has made a big impression im movies like Hancock and The Blind Side. Here, he relaxes at his Goldthwaite home.
Bucket List and Commentary
Fri, Nov 26, 2010
This is a list of my favorite things to do and places to go in the Texas Hill Country.
Cedar Park remembered
Mon, Nov 29, 2010
To see the bustling city of Cedar Park today, you'd never guess that it was once an isolated, hardscrabble village.
Retirees boost Hill Country economy
Wed, Dec 01, 2010
Newly-arrived retirees have provided a huge boost to the economies of several Hill Country counties, and helped support world-class facilities such as this new hospital, the Peterson Regional Medical Center, in Kerrville.
The State Vehicle of Texas
Wed, Dec 01, 2010
Since the chuck wagon is so central to the Texas cowboy legend, it was only fitting that the state legislature officially designated it the State Vehicle of Texas in 2005.
The story of San Marcos
Thu, Dec 09, 2010
A statue of Captain Jack Hays adorns the square in San Marcos, a thriving college and tourist town on Interstate 35, with unmistakable Hill Country roots, which serves as the seat of Hays County.
Prairie Mountain School
Wed, Dec 08, 2010
Stanley Keese and Billy Bob Schneider are two long-time residents of the Prairie Mountain community who are leading the effort to preserve the old school they once attended.
Texas Ranger Town
Wed, Dec 08, 2010
Center Point was once a thriving commercial center on the Guadalupe River. It's now best known as the final resting place for 33 former Texas Rangers.
San Saba's Parks
Tue, Dec 07, 2010
San Saba's parks are some of the attributes that make a visit to this little Hill Country town so appealing.
The Emily Ann Theater
Tue, Dec 07, 2010
The Emily Ann Theater is a wonderful community gathering place with an inspiring story behind it.
Bandera Trick Roper
Tue, Dec 07, 2010
Bandera trick roper Kevin Fitzpatrick was one of a select group recently honored for "Keeping Texas Texan."
Kimble County's amazing Wild Game Dinner
Tue, Dec 07, 2010
The Wild Game Dinner at Junction's Coke Stevenson Center the Saturday after Thanksgiving was a huge success, illustrating the tremendous impact that hunters have on the Texas Hill Country.
The rich history of Canyon Lake
Thu, Dec 16, 2010
Canyon Lake is a relatively new feature of the Texas Hill Country, but the area has a long and fascinating history.
Luckenbach, Texas!
Sun, Dec 19, 2010
With a big assist from Waylon and Willie, promoters Hondo Crouch and Guich Koock turned a historic Hill Country town into a modern tourist attraction and live music mecca.
Brady's Mexican Colony Reborn
Fri, Dec 24, 2010
Fernando Nandin Sr. is proof that the American Dream still lives, and the Mexican Colony in Brady is an important part of Brady's history.
I hope you dance!
Wed, Dec 22, 2010
An old west tradition lives on in the small community of Kendalia
Digging up the facts
Fri, Dec 24, 2010
The old Spanish fort at Menard provides an invaluable look at pre-Revolution Texas.
The CCC Boys
Wed, Dec 29, 2010
Andy Wells was one of the famous "CCC BOYS" who helped turn Longhorn Caverns and other sites into quality tourist attractions. This photo of Andy and his wife, Quincy, was taken as they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.
BBQ in the Texas Hill Country
Sun, Jan 02, 2011
While many other states and cities have their own favorite BBQ restaurants, some of the best and most popular are right here in the Texas Hill Country. Here, Horace and Myrtle Oestreich, of Inman's Kitchen in Llano, accept a plaque from Bob Cole and Bucky Godbolt of KVET in Austin after they won a listeners' poll as the "Best BBQ Joint in Central Texas" last spring.
Sahawe Success Story
Sat, Jan 08, 2011
A Boy Scout program has become a huge benefit to the city of Uvalde.
Wild West Legends in Uvalde
Sun, Jan 09, 2011
A land of outlaws and adventure has produced a unique Texas town -- and some All-American heroes.
The Spectacular River Region
Wed, Jan 12, 2011
The River Region in the southwest corner of the Texas Hill Country includes some of the most spectacular scenery in Texas -- and the coolest, clearest water!
A town called Sabinal
Thu, Jan 13, 2011
Sabinal is the gateway to the beautiful River Region of the Texas Hill Country, and a charming town with unique shops, restaurants, historic buildings and community festivals. See you in Sabinal!
The Heart of Texas
Thu, Jan 13, 2011
Not only is Brady in the geographical center of Texas; its character and achievements demonstrate the "heart" that has made Texas great.
The History of Hondo
Sun, Jan 16, 2011
The Hondo National Bank made front page headlines in 1921, when it was robbed by the now-famous Newton Boys
Blanco Adventurer
Fri, Jan 21, 2011
J. Katherine McClure is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story. We're proud to have her as a Texas Hill Country neighbor!
Hill Country Paradise
Mon, Feb 07, 2011
Elaine's Table is one of just a few visible businesses in the upscale rural community of Hunt. The restaurant offers "fine casual dining" with a view of the scenic Guadalupe River.
Old-Time Hill Country Living
Mon, Feb 07, 2011
The charming Lutheran church in Harper is just one of several well-maintained historic churches in the little town between Fredericksburg and Junction in the western Hill Country.
Hill Country History
Mon, Feb 07, 2011
One of the last bastions of Comanche power, then a land of backbreaking struggle for survival, the Texas Hill Country is now a peaceful place for rest and relaxation.
A Family Tradition
Mon, Feb 07, 2011
Gracie Amici and Vicki Christensen run a delightful shop called "One Trick Pony" in the front rooms of Christensen's "Tres Rios Silver" custom buckle business.
The 'Little Alsace' of Texas
Mon, Feb 07, 2011
The 1870 St. Louis Church is just one of more than 300 historic buildings in Castroville. The unique town was founded by Alsatian immigrants, led by Henri Castro, and their influence is plainly seen 167 years later.
Top o' the Hill Country
Mon, Feb 07, 2011
Rocksprings is on the western edge of the Texas Hill Country, and at the high point of the Edwards Plateau. It's a delightful little town that doesn't get the attention it deserves.
Gently Resisting Change
Tue, Feb 08, 2011
The town of Gruene was at its zenith in 1904, when Henry D. Gruene built this fine brick mercantile store. Today, his little town is a remarkable window into 19th-century Texas, and a major attraction for travelers on I-35.
Mason to Fredericksburg
Mon, Feb 14, 2011
The little communities along Highway 87 have some great stories to tell -- about themselves and about their bigger neighbors.
A treasurehouse of history
Wed, Feb 16, 2011
Re-enactors tell the story of Fort McKavett's "Buffalo Soldiers" to school children attending a "West Texas Heritage Days" event at the historic fort.
Violin Virtuoso
Fri, Apr 01, 2011
Keenan Fletcher, pictured here as a high school sophomore in Montana, is now a gifted violinist and teacher in Llano, Texas.
Wimberley Wonders
Tue, Apr 05, 2011
Bill and M.F. Johnson, pictured here with Kathleen Kosies and actor Guich Koock (who once lived in one of their cabins), are wonderful examples of the Texas Hill Country spirit.
The Adventures of Guich Koock
Fri, Apr 08, 2011
Guich Koock has lived an amazing life (this photo is from his starring role in the movie "American Ninja"). You can read about some of it here.
Houseful of History
Tue, Apr 12, 2011
Margy and Darrell Waldrip, in the dining room of their historic bed-and-breakfast near Gruene.
Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries
Fri, Apr 15, 2011
Volunteers get last-minute instructions before distributing the day's allotment of grocery boxes at Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries in Boerne.
Independence Day
Tue, Jun 28, 2011
We all should be proud to be Americans, and Independence Day is a great time to celebrate!
Talent and Heart
Sat, Jul 16, 2011
A great singing voice and a lot of determination have taken Christian Faith Snodgrass to Nashville and beyond.
