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Hill Country Portal
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A Powerful Information Database & Gateway Service for the Texas Hill Country
BANDERA, Texas
Pronounced: "BAN-dare-ah"
"The Cowboy Capital of the World"
Population(2008): 1,217COL Index (2008): 80.1
Elevation: 1,258 ftArea: 1.2 smCounty: Bandera
Zip Code: 78003Area Code: 830Time Zone: CST
Coordinates: 29 43' 33" N, 99 4' 30" W
Location: 40 mi NW of San Antonio; 25 mi SW of Boerne;
25 mi S of Kerrville; 13 mi SE of Medina
Highways: 16, 173Creeks: Rivers: MedinaLakes: Hiawatha
REFERENCES
CITY:
CITY OF BANDERA: 830-796-3765
511 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003
Web: www.cityofbandera.com
CHAMBER & TOURISM:
BANDERA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Ofc: 830-796-3280, Fax: 830-796-3970
331 Main Street, PO Box 2445, Bandera, TX 78003
Web: www.banderatex.com; Email: cowboy@banderatex.com
CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU:
800-364-3833, 800-364-3822, 830-796-3045, 210-796-3045
Hwy 16 & Mainstreet Intersection, Bandera, TX 78003
Web: www.banderacowboycapital.com; Email: bandera@hctc.net
CELEBRATE BANDERA: www.celebratebandera.com, Email: bandera@hctc.net
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES: Nothing formal
SMALLER NEIGHBORING TOWNS: Camp Verde, Pipe Creek, Tarpley
PRINCIPAL BUSINESS: Ranching, tourism, dude ranches and camps, motorcycling
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:
COWBOY CAPITAL: Bandera goes all out with cowboy festivals, events and even cowboy actors on the downtown streets dressed as they did in the old dusty days, complete with six-shooters and their real horses, who mingle with the visitors on the streets and in the saloons and venues. With the live entertainment and open concept, this town is so much fun that it is very popular with motorcyclists and every tourist. Ye-Haa!
DUDE RANCHES and HORSEBACK RIDING: Texas Travel Video. Hitch a hayride to breakfast, rustle up some grub and live the cowboy life. See full list at Dude
FLYING L GOLF COURSE: 800-292-5134; 566 Flying L Drive, PO Box 1959, Bandera, TX 78003. Privately owned, Public access, 18 holes, 6700 yds, par 72, 2 mi from Bandera. Guest ranch. www.flyingl.com
FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM: 830-796-3864; 510 13th Street. Just 1 block N of Bandera County Court House Bandera, TX 78003. A 40,000-piece collection of old west, pioneer, & prehistoric artifacts. www.frontiertimesmuseum.com
LOST VALLEY RESORT RANCH GOLF COURSE: 830-460-7958; Hwy 16 S, Bandera, TX 78003. Public, 18 holes, 6210 yds, par 72, 2 mi from downtown.
POLLY'S CHAPEL: Built in 1882 by Jose Policarpo Rodriguez, this picturesque church still stands in the tree-covered hills of Bandera County on Privilege Creek. Rodriguez, known as "Polly," was born in Mexico and came to Texas with his father as a child. He became famous as a scout for the U.S. Army, a guide, a hunter and a minister. He joined the Methodist Church and was licensed as a Methodist preacher. He built this tiny chapel with his own hands. A short distance from the chapel is a well-tended graveyard where Polly is buried. Chapel usually open. Off Hwy 16 about 6 mi SE of town.
SCENIC DRIVES: On all the roads around Bandera.
NEARBY & HILL COUNTRY-WIDE ATTRACTIONS: See Attractions.
Some of the very nearby attractions include:
BOERNE: AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER; CASCADE CAVERNS; CAVE WITHOUT A NAME; CIBOLO NATURE CENTER; ENCHANTED SPRINGS RANCH; HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BOERNE; GOLF
CAMP VERDE: CAMP VERDE GENERAL STORE
MEDINA: APPLE CAPITAL
MEDINA LAKE AREA: LAKE RECREATION
PARKS: There are many state parks in the greater area as profiled on the Parks page. These nearby parks include:
HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA: Opened in 1983, this remains as an undeveloped and secluded retreat. Approximately 40 mi of multi-use trails wind up grassy valleys, cross spring-fed streams, and climb steep limestone hills. Backcountry setting for activities such as primitive camping, backpacking, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, flora and fauna observation, and limited swimming (3 designated swimming areas are on West Verde Creek). Moderate fishing opportunities. Various adjacent ranches offer horse rentals, tours, and other accommodations through the Natural Area. For information call Bandera County Convention and Visitors bureau: 800-364-3883; www.banderacowboycapital.com. 830-796-4413; At 10600 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera, TX 78003
GARNER STATE PARK (Concan)
LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA (Vanderpool)
Local city parks include: Mansfield
EVENT CALENDAR: For full details on each event see Chamber web site and
Festivals & Events
Year: http://banderatex.com/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=63,
Event Summary: http://banderatex.com
January: COWGIRL ROUND-UP AND SHNOW-DEO
January: BANDERA COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW
January: BANDERA WINTER BULLRIDING SERIES
February: BANDERA COWBOY MARDI GRAS WEEKEND
March: LONG HORN SALOON ALL BIKE RALLY
April: SON SHINE CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
April: BANDERA SPRING FLING
April: GOAT SPECTACULAR CABRITO AND BAR-B-QUE COOKOFF
April: RANCH HERITAGE WEEKEND
May: ST. STANISLAUS PARISH FESTIVAL
May: WILD HOG EXPLOSION
May: ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
May: LAKESHORE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SPRING FEST
May: PRCA PRO RODEO & BBQ COOK-OFF: PRCA PRO RODEO & BBQ COOK-OFF: MEMORIAL WEEKEND, May 28-30, 2010, Mansfield Park, Bandera, TX. "GET YOUR COOK-ON"BBQ COOK-OFF: Sat, May 29; "GET YOUR COOK-ON". Performances are at 8 pm all 3 nights. Events include bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding and more! Activities for the kids include mutton bustin', calf scramble and stickhorse races. www.banderarodeo.com
June: BANDERA RIVERFEST
December: COWBOY CHRISTMAS
On-Going Events: See full details at Hill Country Market Days, Trade Days, Farmers Markets:
BANDERA MARKET DAYS; and OLD BANDERA DOWNS TRADE DAYS
WEATHER: www.banderatex.com
MEDIA COVERAGE:
On-Line Latest News: TOPIX
Newspaper: BANDERA COUNTY COURIER: 830-796-9799; 1210 Hackberry, Bandera, TX 78003. www.bccourier.com; bccourier@sbcglobal.net
Newspaper: (THE) BANDERA BULLETIN: 830-796-3718; 1110 Main St., Bandera, TX 78003. www.banderabulletin.com; news@banderabulletin.com
Radio Station: KEEP 103.1 FM: Bandera, TX
MAPS: Google, GeoHack
HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online: "A townsite plat for the settlement, designated county seat at the formation of Bandera County in 1856, was filed with the first county commissioners' court that year by John James, Charles DeMontel, and John Herndon. The site, on a cypress-lined bend of the Medina River, had been occupied by Indians, then by white campers making shingles. The town and county were named for nearby Bandera Pass. The founders formed a partnership in 1853 to build a town and water-powered lumber mill. They recruited immigrant workers from Upper Silesia by way of the Polish colony in Karnes County. These workers arrived in 1855, and each family received purchase rights to town lots and farmland.
The presence of the United States Cavalry at Camp Verde after 1856 encouraged increased activity and settlement. Bandera served the needs of the military and of settlers who took up small holdings in the area. After the Civil War the town boomed as a staging area for cattle drives up the Western Trail. Farm boys became cowboys. Ranchers built holding pens and signed on as trail bosses. Storekeepers contracted as outfitters. Cotton was a commercial crop during this period. An ornate courthouse begun in 1890 announced prosperity from the town square. For local stockraisers, sheep and goats proved more profitable on the shallow limestone soil than cattle, but not until 1920 did the Bandera County Ranchers and Farmers Association organize cooperative storage and marketing of wool and mohair.
The local economy declined after 1900; a series of floods destroyed sawmills, gins, and businesses, and the cattle drives ceased. Until the San Antonio highway was constructed in 1936 Bandera remained relatively inaccessible. Other roads remained unpaved as late as the 1950s.
In 1920 Cora and Ed Buck began taking summer boarders at their ranch on Julian Creek. Other families soon advertised for guests, and by the 1930s Bandera had become well known as a resort offering riverside camps, restaurants, dance halls, and rodeos to complement surrounding dude ranches.
Bandera was incorporated in 1964. A Medina River flood in 1978 caused heavy loss of life and property and emphasized the necessity for strict control of the floodplain. In 1988 state and city officials joined in proposing that most of the floodplain within the city be made open parkland. Although Bandera County's population almost doubled after 1970, the population of Bandera has varied little; it has remained in the range of 1,000 since 1928. In 1988 the town had a population of 1,012 and seventy rated businesses, including crafts stores, medical and veterinary clinics, a sawmill, a weekly newspaper, the county library, seven churches, and the Frontier Times Museum. Bandera offers opportunities for tourism, camping, horse racing, and dude ranching. The population was 877 in 1990 and grew to 957 in 2000."
Per legend, the town was named for nearby Bandera Pass; others say it is named after a Mexican general.
Background Article: Bandera
PRIOR NAMES:
NATIONAL REGISTRY SITES: County Courthouse, County Jail, and more.
CEMETERIES: Yes
AVAILABLE SERVICES: Gas: yes; Convenience Stores: yes; Restaurants: yes; Lodging: yes; Grocery Stores: yes; Banks: yes; Vehicle Repair: yes; Hospital: no; Med Clinic: no; Post Office: yes; Public Schools: yes; Cemetery: yes
OTHER PROFILES: Wikipedia; ePodunk; City Data; Texas Escapes; Travel Texas
NOTES:
(We welcome submission of updates, additions, corrections & digital photos, without compensation.)
BUSINESS and ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY
See web sites shown above, plus: Listings. Partial list below:CAMPS
BANDERA CHRISTIAN YOUTH CAMP: 100 Pavilion Rd, Bandera, TX 78003; 830-796-4113
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD CAMP: Hwy 173 N, Bandera, TX 78003; 830-796-3515
YMCA HAMMAN RANCH CAMP: FM 470, Bandera, TX 78003; 830-460-7778
DUDE RANCHES
See: DUDE RANCHES
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
11th STREET COWBOY BAR: 830-796-4849. 11th Street, Bandera, TX. A unique cross between a neighborhood bar and the best country & western night club around. www.11thstreetcowboybar.com
(ARKEY BLUE'S) SILVER DOLLAR SALOON: 830-796-8826; 308 Main St., Bandera (Bandera County), TX 78003. Established in 1930's. Public dances. Located in the "The Cowboy Capital of Texas". "Ernest Tubb once brought his Texas Troubadours to Arkey's for some great country music. Entertainer/singer/songwriter Arkey Blue has performed here since 1968, and friend Tommy Alverson's "Buy Me a Bar" pokes fun at Arkey's lifestyle. Willie Nelson and Caesare Masse have often visited, as do locals Bruce and Charlie Robison." Open: Daily (music Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun).
BANDERA SALOON: 402 Main Street, Bandera, TX. 830-796-3699.www.banderasaloon.com
BLUE GENE's COWBOY SPORTS BAR: 830-796-7144; 807 Main Street, Bandera, TX. www.bluegenesbandera.com. Weekend live entertainment.
BRICK's RIVER CAFE: 830-460-3200; 1205 Main, Bandera, TX 78006. On Medina River, Weekend breakfast buffet. Full menu, beer, wine. Behind the River Oaks Inn.
CABARET CAFE & DANCE HALL: 830-796-8166; 801 Main St., Bandera (Bandera County), TX. Built in 1936. Public dances. Famous artists have been here: Bob Wills, Hank Thompson, Ray Price Jim Reeves and Willie Nelson. Located on Main Street in the "Cowboy Capital of Texas". "The Original Bandit," Larry Nolen, has played the Cabaret Dance Hall for many years. [We understand this dance hall is closed. Portal Editor].
CHICAGO BROTHERS: 830-796-9119; 702 Main, Bandera, TX.
LONG HORN SALOON: 1307 Main Street, Bandera, TX. 830-796-3600. www.longhornsaloonbandera.com
MULBERRY'S WINE & CHEESE BAR: 830-796-9463; 823 Main Street, Bandera (Across from Wells Fargo), Open Thur-Sat 4P-12p. www.mulberryswinebar.com
OST RESTAURANT: 830-796-3836; 305 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003. Breakfast anytime, daily buffet specializing in Mexican food and chicken fried steak. Salad bar. Gwen & Rick James, Owners
LODGING/MOTELS/ACCOMMODATIONS/GUEST HOUSES/B&B'S
See: Bandera Lodging Listings and Reservation Services
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS AND SERVICES
BANDERA BEACH CLUB: 830-796-7555; 1106 Cherry St., Bandera, TX. Kayaks & river tubing/shuttle service in Bandera
BANDERA CHURCH OF CHRIST: 830-796-9122
BANDERA BANK: 207 Main Street
BANDERA FIRST STATE BANK: 800 Main Street
www.BANDERAMUSIC.com: A Showcase of Texas Music. CDs by local music icons are available.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH: Bandera, TX
GAIL STONE REALTY: 830-796-4640; 334 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003.
www.gailstonerealty.com; info@gailstonerealty.com
GUILOTT REALTY: 830-460-3517; 129 Hwy 16 S, Bandera, TX 78003; www.ggrealty.com
GRIMES FUNERAL HOME: 830-257-4544; 728 Jefferson, Kerrville, TX 78028; 830-796-3922; 1214 Mulberry, Bandera, TX 78003. http://grimesfuneralchapels.com
HONDO NATIONAL BANK: 355 Highway 16 South
ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH: 7th Street and Cypress Street, Bandera, TX. Built 1876 (although the steeple wasn't erected until 1906), serves Polish settlement dating from 1855, one of oldest Polish parishes in U.S.
WELLS FARGO BANK: 900 Main Street
PUBLIC SERVICES
ARTHUR NAGEL COMMUNITY CLINIC: 830-796-3448; 1116 12th Street, #3 Bandera, TX 78003. Free and low cost healthcare services to the residents of Bandera County. www.nagelclinic.org
BANDERA COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT: 830-796-3332, 1206 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003. www.banderaproptax.org
BANDERA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: 830-796-8810; PO Box 1656, Bandera, TX 78003. "Philanthropy with imagination". Provides opportunities for donors to give with simplicity, flexibility and maximum tax advantages. Donors come in all shapes and sizes--from wealthy retirees to those with average means. All donors have one goal in common: the desire to improve the quality of life in their community, now and for the future. Email: bcf@indian-creek.net, Web: www.banderacommunityfoundation.org
BANDERA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE: 830-796-3332, Bandera, TX 78003.
BANDERA ISD: 830-796-6204; PO Box 727, Bandera, TX 78003. communications@banderaisd.net. www.banderaisd.net
BANDERA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY: 830-796-4213; 515 Main St., Bandera, TX 78003-1568. www.banderalibrary.org, banderalibrary@gmail.com
BANDERA COUNTY TAX OFFICE: 830-796-3731, 403 12th Street, Bandera, TX 78003. www.banderaproptax.org
LAKE MEDINA CONSERVATION SOCIETY & MEDINA RIVER PROTECTION FUND: www.medinariver.net
MEDINA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 830-589-7225
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: 830-796-4323
US POST OFFICE
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