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Texas-Hill-Country.com, Vol. 2 Texas Hill Country

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:27:00 -0000

So much to brag about; so little time. This is where we begin to tell about the wonderful towns and attractions that dot the wide open spaces of the Texas Hill Country. Keep coming back; we promise to make a noticeable difference every couple of days from now on!

Talent and Heart

John Hallowell — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 04:37:00 -0000

A great singing voice and a lot of determination have taken Christian Faith Snodgrass to Nashville and beyond.

Fort Croghan

John Hallowell — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:37:00 -0000

Burnet held its annual Fort Croghan Day on Saturday, October 10, to keep alive the memory of pioneer life in Burnet.

Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries

John Hallowell — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:30:00 -0000

Volunteers get last-minute instructions before distributing the day's allotment of grocery boxes at Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries in Boerne.

Houseful of History

John Hallowell — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:09:00 -0000

Margy and Darrell Waldrip, in the dining room of their historic bed-and-breakfast near Gruene.

The Adventures of Guich Koock

John Hallowell — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:35:00 -0000

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.

Wimberley Wonders

John Hallowell — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:31:00 -0000

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.

Violin Virtuoso

John Hallowell — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:55:00 -0000

Keenan Fletcher, pictured here as a high school sophomore in Montana, is now a gifted violinist and teacher in Llano, Texas.

A treasurehouse of history

John Hallowell — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:42:00 -0000

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.

Mason to Fredericksburg

John Hallowell — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:56:00 -0000

The little communities along Highway 87 have some great stories to tell -- about themselves and about their bigger neighbors.

Gently Resisting Change

John Hallowell — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:47:00 -0000

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.

Top o' the Hill Country

John Hallowell — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:18:00 -0000

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.

The 'Little Alsace' of Texas

John Hallowell — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:10:00 -0000

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.

A Family Tradition

John Hallowell — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:59:00 -0000

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.

Old-Time Hill Country Living

John Hallowell — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:39:00 -0000

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 Paradise

John Hallowell — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:32:00 -0000

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.

Hill Country History

John Hallowell — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:51:00 -0000

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.

Blanco Adventurer

John Hallowell — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:02:00 -0000

J. Katherine McClure is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story. We're proud to have her as a Texas Hill Country neighbor!

The History of Hondo

John Hallowell — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 04:30:00 -0000

The Hondo National Bank made front page headlines in 1921, when it was robbed by the now-famous Newton Boys

The Heart of Texas

John Hallowell — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:40:00 -0000

Not only is Brady in the geographical center of Texas; its character and achievements demonstrate the "heart" that has made Texas great.

A town called Sabinal

John Hallowell — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:28:00 -0000

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 Spectacular River Region

John Hallowell — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 06:20:00 -0000

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!

Wild West Legends in Uvalde

John Hallowell — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:55:00 -0000

A land of outlaws and adventure has produced a unique Texas town -- and some All-American heroes.

Sahawe Success Story

John Hallowell — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:26:00 -0000

A Boy Scout program has become a huge benefit to the city of Uvalde.

BBQ in the Texas Hill Country

John Hallowell — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 18:40:00 -0000

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.

The CCC Boys

John Hallowell — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 07:11:00 -0000

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.

Digging up the facts

John Hallowell — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:10:00 -0000

The old Spanish fort at Menard provides an invaluable look at pre-Revolution Texas.

Brady's Mexican Colony Reborn

John Hallowell — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:01:00 -0000

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!

John Hallowell — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:24:00 -0000

An old west tradition lives on in the small community of Kendalia

Luckenbach, Texas!

John Hallowell — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 19:13:00 -0000

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.

The rich history of Canyon Lake

John Hallowell — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 03:07:00 -0000

Canyon Lake is a relatively new feature of the Texas Hill Country, but the area has a long and fascinating history.

The historic town of Liberty Hill

John Hallowell — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:49:00 -0000

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.

The story of San Marcos

John Hallowell — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:23:00 -0000

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.

Texas Ranger Town

John Hallowell — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:18:00 -0000

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.

Prairie Mountain School

John Hallowell — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:08:00 -0000

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.

Kimble County's amazing Wild Game Dinner

John Hallowell — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 23:27:00 -0000

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.

Bandera Trick Roper

John Hallowell — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 22:59:00 -0000

Bandera trick roper Kevin Fitzpatrick was one of a select group recently honored for "Keeping Texas Texan."

The Emily Ann Theater

John Hallowell — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 02:56:00 -0000

The Emily Ann Theater is a wonderful community gathering place with an inspiring story behind it.

San Saba's Parks

John Hallowell — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 02:42:00 -0000

San Saba's parks are some of the attributes that make a visit to this little Hill Country town so appealing.

New Legs for Adam

John Hallowell — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:35:00 -0000

Adam Adray has become a very positive part of the Llano community. Now that community is rallying behind him.

Retirees boost Hill Country economy

John Hallowell — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:06:00 -0000

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

John Hallowell — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:09:00 -0000

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 Pianist

John Hallowell — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:47:00 -0000

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.

Down in the Valley

John Hallowell — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:11:00 -0000

The once-isolated Wimberley Valley still has a rustic charm, but it has become a sophisticated and prosperous Hill Country hideaway.

Cedar Park remembered

John Hallowell — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:28:00 -0000

To see the bustling city of Cedar Park today, you'd never guess that it was once an isolated, hardscrabble village.

Bucket List and Commentary

John Hallowell — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:30:00 -0000

This is a list of my favorite things to do and places to go in the Texas Hill Country.

Taming the Wild West

John Hallowell — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 02:53:00 -0000

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.

Hill Country Movie Star

John Hallowell — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0000

A small actor has made a big impression im movies like Hancock and The Blind Side. Here, he relaxes at his Goldthwaite home.

Harry's Department Store

John Hallowell — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:19:00 -0000

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.

Riding with John Wayne

John Hallowell — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 20:21:00 -0000

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.

Swedish Immigrants in Texas

John Hallowell — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 20:06:00 -0000

This historic church was the focal point of a Swedish settlement (called East Sweden) just east of Brady in McCulloch County.

Heart of Texas Historical Museum

John Hallowell — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:34:00 -0000

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!

Miracles Do Happen

Gail Hughbanks-Woerner — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 01:41:00 -0000

Miracles still do happen sometimes, and no one is more deserving than Bud Fitzpatrick.

Brady's Supermodeler

John Hallowell — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:12:00 -0000

Bert Streigler is a multi-talented citizen of the Texas Hill Country, a fascinating personality and a real asset to his hometown of Brady.

Brady's War Stories

John Hallowell — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:40:00 -0000

Brady's memories of World War II are more vivid than those of other Texas towns; a lot of history happened here.

Heart of Texas Historical Museum

John Hallowell — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:39:00 -0000

While the hours have changed since this photo was taken (see end of story), the museum has just continued to improve.

Antique Dream House

John Hallowell — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:58:00 -0000

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

Classics live on in Brady

John Hallowell — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:38:00 -0000

Tracy Pitcox's dream has helped fuel a resurgence of classic country music across the Texas Hill Country.

Where are the Marble Falls?

John Hallowell — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:28:00 -0000

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.

A reminder of the "Bad Old days"

John Hallowell — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:41:00 -0000

The story of one courageous Texan girl illustrates the hardships of early life in the Texas Hill Country.

Mason County's "Hoo Doo War"

John Hallowell — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:03:00 -0000

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."

Llano County Hunters

John Hallowell — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:16:00 -0000

A group of Florida businessmen has been hunting in Llano County each November for the last 45 years.

Gem of the Hill Country

John Hallowell — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:24:00 -0000

Mason is an unspoiled little Hill Country town, much the same as its German immigrant builders intended it to be.

Camels of Camp Verde

John Hallowell — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 05:45:00 -0000

Camp Verde's claims to fame are a charming country store and the legend of Jefferson Davis's camels.

The Ingram Loop

John Hallowell — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 01:04:00 -0000

The Old Ingram Loop has become a new center for art and craftsmanship.

Hunters boost Hill Country Economy

John Hallowell — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:50:00 -0000

Hunters and the Hill Country have a beneficial relationship.

Woman of Distinction

John Hallowell — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:30:00 -0000

Carole Goble doesn't think she's accomplished much, but those who know her consider her a "Woman of Distinction."

Hunting in the Hills

John Hallowell — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:29:00 -0000

Hill Country towns offer an enthusiastic welcome to hunters each fall. For good reason.

Oktoberfisch

John Hallowell — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:11:00 -0000

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

John Hallowell — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:29:00 -0000

Thunderbox Road was a whacky, whimsical and wonderful traveling art exhibit with a touch of "bathroom" humor and a huge dose of nostalgia.

Talented Teen

John Hallowell — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:14:00 -0000

Camille Sanders is an accomplished actress, ballerina, singer and multi-talented musician from Concan. And she just turned 15!

An American Hero

John Hallowell — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:35:00 -0000

A story of the pre-war Texas Hill Country and one of its finest young men

Kimble County celebrates 150 years

John Hallowell — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 06:03:00 -0000

Kimble County has has seen many twists and turns in its 150-year journey from empty wilderness to a modern ecotourism destination.

Kimble Kounty Kow Kick

John Hallowell — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:17:00 -0000

The Kimble Kounty Kow Kick is a wonderful community party in Junction.

One of the Greatest

John Hallowell — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:15:00 -0000

Joe Randerson is a charter member of our "Greatest Generation." This is his remarkable story.

Railroads in the Hill Country

John Hallowell — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:42:00 -0000

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.

Georgetown

John Hallowell — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:32:00 -0000

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.

Heart of the Hills

John Hallowell — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:51:00 -0000

A cypress-shingle camp has grown into a modern city; Kerrville is the unofficial capital of the Texas Hill Country's new economy.

Blanco County

John Hallowell — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:03:00 -0000

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.

Blanco and Blanco County

John Hallowell — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:56:00 -0000

Blanco County, once almost inaccessible to pioneers, now provides Hill Country living within easy driving distance of Austin and San Antonio.

Blanco County History

John Hallowell — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:47:00 -0000

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.

Making Texas History

Steven Shepard — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:05:00 -0000

A participant's full story of the great Bandera Cattle Drive of October, 2010

Hill Country Icon turns 60

Robbis Storm — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 03:01:00 -0000

Sixty years ago, Jim and IraDell Storm opened a small drive-in restaurant in Lampasas. Today, Storm's has become a Texas Hill Country icon.

The Way to Horseshoe Bay

John Hallowell — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:19:00 -0000

Norman and Wayne Hurd, two cousins from Brady, turned a scenic "goat ranch" into the Hill Country's premiere lakeside resort.

Visiting Kingsland

John Hallowell — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:14:00 -0000

Modern Kingsland is a great place to live or to visit.

Blind Man with a Vision

John Hallowell — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:59:00 -0000

The amazing adventures of General Adam Rankin Johnson

A tale of three families

John Hallowell — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 16:49:00 -0000

Three families settled around the "dripping springs" more than 150 years ago.

History and Promise in San Saba

John Hallowell — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:34:00 -0000

In a beautiful valley far from any big city, San Saba is capitalizing on its rich history to create a bright future.

Luckenbach on the Llano

John Hallowell — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:21:00 -0000

The historic town of Castell is experiencing a resurgence as "Luckenbach on the Llano."

Leading the Way

John Hallowell — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:20:00 -0000

The audacious German immigrants marched boldly into the heart of Comanche territory to establish the remarkable town of Fredericksburg

A tale of two creeks

John Hallowell — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:36:00 -0000

German Freethinkers laid the foundations for a remarkable Hill Country community in Sisterdale.

Rural charm and urban flair

John Hallowell — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:03:00 -0000

A brief history of Boerne -- where San Antonio meets the Hill Country

Looking back, looking ahead

John Hallowell — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:42:00 -0000

An old railroad town with a rich history is experiencing a new boom.

Stonehenge II

John Hallowell — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:02:00 -0000

Started on a whim, Al Shepperd's replica of England's Stonehenge has become a major tourist attraction.

Have town, will travel

John Hallowell — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:58:00 -0000

The Brazos Bottom Cowographers entertain, teach and have fun at events around the Hill Country.

Spend the night in Comfort

John Hallowell — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:10:00 -0000

Scarecrows, antiques and lots of history make the remarkable little town of Comfort a great place to visit this fall.

Centuries of History

John Hallowell — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:46:00 -0000

Menard has a century more history than most Hill Country towns, since the Spanish built a presidio here in the mid-1700s.

Land fit for a King

John Hallowell — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:44:00 -0000

Where rivers flow and bluebonnets grow

Saratoga of the South

John Hallowell — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 03:14:00 -0000

The healing springs of Lampasas drew tourists from all over the South during the town's early years.

Hill Country Festivals

John Hallowell — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:04:00 -0000

Every town in the Hill Country has at least one big event to celebrate during the year. Some have more . . .

Living the Hill Country Dream

John Hallowell — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:03:00 -0000

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!