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MENARD, Texas Pronounced: "men-NARD" "Wild Turkey Capital of Texas" Population (2003): 1,652 REFERENCES CITY:CITY OF MENARD: 325-396-4706 104 W. San Saba Street, PO Box 177, Menard, TX 76859 Web: None, but see community site below. CHAMBER and TOURISM: MENARD COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 325-396-2365 100 E. San Saba Ave, Menard, TX 76859 Web: www.menardchamber.com; Email: info@menardchamber.com Tina Hodge, Executive Director COMMUNITY WEBSITE: www.menardtexas.com ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES: MENARD INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORP: Located at above Chamber office, phone, web and email. Tina Hodge, Executive Director CONCHO VALLEY CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT: 325-657-9214; 2009 West Beauregard Avenue, San Angelo, TX 76901. Email: cvced@cvced.org; Web: www.cvced.org SMALLER NEIGHBORING TOWNS: E of Eldorado; SE of Christoval; SW of Melvin, W of Hext, SW of Calf Creek, NE of Ft. McKavett (see Hill Country Forts; 28 mi NW of London MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: AUSTRALIAN HOTEL: Built in 1880 by William Saunders of Australia, located on San Saba Avenue (RR 2092), on the Canal Walk. FIRST STATE BANK: Built 1903, made of native stone, located on San Saba Ave., on the Canal Walk. FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH: Built 1904, near Tipton Street, on the Canal Walk. LUCKENBACH STORE: Circa 1903; Now home to Burnham Bros. MISSION SANTA CRUZ DE SAN SABA: aka "Mission San Saba". Located 4 mi downstream from the Presidio, but no longer visible. An exhibit now tells the story of the rediscovery of Mission San Saba and the archeological investigations that followed. On FM 2092. History, More History MENARD COUNTY COURTHOUSE: Built 1932, modern style. Web MENARD COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: (aka "Menardville Museum" and "Depot Museum"). 325-396-2365; In the historical AT&sSF Train Depot on N side of San Saba River, at 100 Frisco Ave, Menard (intersection of US 83/190). By appointment only through Historical Society (see listing below). MENARD COUNTY JAIL: Circa 1871, on San Saba Ave. Now a private residence. Web OLD MISSION THEATER: Built in 1927, located on Beavens Street, on the Canal Walk. To be renovated soon. OLD SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH: Circa 1899; Located on the Canal Walk, the oldest in the San Angelo Diocese. HISTORIC DITCH (CANAL) WALK: Features several early churches, the Pioneer Rest Cemetery, the San Saba Presidio, Fort McKavett State Historical Park, and remnants of the old irrigation ditch (a canal built by the Spanish in the mid-1750s to supply Mission San Saba) that still flows through downtown. Includes a water wheel operated since 1905 by the Menard Irrigation Company and thought to be the oldest privately-owned water wheel still in use in Texas. Photos & Story: Web PRESIDIO GOLF CLUB (Public, 9 holes, 3,000 yds): 325-396-3319; Hwy 190 W, Menard, TX 76859. Just W of Menard, on San Saba River, adjacent to the Presidio ruins. Web 
SAN SABA PRESIDIO: These ruins of a Spanish fort built in 1751 to protect the nearby mission are located 2 mi NW of downtown Menard on the San Saba River banks, off Hwy 190, now maintained as a county park. Also known as: "Presidio San Saba"; "Presidio de San Luis de las Amarillas". Open year-round, self-guided tour with exhibit sign. History, More History, Photos SAN SABA RIVER ADVENTURES: 325-456-6447; Provided by Brent Frazier, a native of Menard, with a lifetime of experience exploring, swimming and fishing the San Saba River. With a stable of 12 kayaks, provides guided trips to the most interesting areas of the river. For for the more adventurous, they rent kayaks, provide shuttles, give you a few tips and let you explore the river yourself. Web NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: FT. MCKAVETT STATE HISTORICAL SITE: 325-396-2358; An 82 acre park facility 22 mi SW of Menard in Menard County, governed by the State Historical Commission. Open daily to the public, 8a-5p. Established in 1852. General William T. Sherman called Fort McKavett "the prettiest post in Texas.", 1874. Part of a chain of military posts designed to control the native population and protect immigrants and settlers traveling the road between San Antonio and El Paso. Today it is one of the best preserved and most intact examples of a Texas Indian wars frontier post. Web. Included in the Texas Forts Trail: Web PARKS: see Parks AMERICAN LEGION PARK: A plaza surrounding the courthouse complex in the downtown area, complete with swimming pool. SAN SABA RIVER PARK: A 12-acre river bottom tract on the N side where the US 83 bridge crosses the San Saba River. Facilities include picnic tables, swings, basketball park, a half-mile walking/jogging track, and parking area. STOCK PEN CROSSING PARK: 325-396-2780. Located on FM 2092 on the S side of the San Saba River on W edge of Menard. County owned and operated. No web site. It is on the site of the original livestock crossing. Facilities include a pavilion and picnic table, large day use area, and a separate, adjoining, fee-based RV park (see RV Parks) with full facilities. Manager: Mark Hodges. EVENT CALENDAR: See web sites shown above. April: AROUND THE CAMPFIRE ON THE GREAT WESTERN CATTLE TRAIL: Apr 24, 2010. Menard, at Stock Pen Crossing Park. Chuck wagon meal, cowboy poetry, songs, story telling, trail riders, covered wagon, longhorns and much more. Live music and entertainment. Dinner at 6p. $25 for dinner and entertainment, $15 for entertainment only. Tina Hodge at the Chamber office, 325-396-2365. Web September: JIM BOWIE DAY ANNUAL CELEBRATION: Menard, at the city park on San Saba river. Jim Bowie trail ride, live music, wild west gunfights, cowographers, washer pitching. 9a-5p. Tina Hodge at the Chamber office, 325-396-2365. Web October: SILVER MINE CLASSIC LAMB SHOW: Annual event, on Hwy 190, NW of Menard. WEATHER: Weather Underground MEDIA COVERAGE: On-Line Latest News: Topix Newspaper: (THE) MENARD NEWS: 325-396-2243; 220 Mission St, Menard, TX 76859 Radio: KNEL RADIO: 95.3 FM (studio in Brady). 325-597-2119. Owner: Len Farris MAPS: Google; GeoHack PRINCIPAL BUSINESS: Ranching, oil production, hunting, fishing, tourism. HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online: "A mile from the ruins of San Luis de las Amarillas Presidio. The early Spanish settlement at the presidio was abandoned in 1758, but the site was used as a camp by Indians and as a landmark for expeditions in search of a legendary silver mine supposed to have been in the vicinity. Ferdinand von Roemer visited the presidio ruins in 1847 and left a description of them. The town was called Menardville when the site was laid out in 1858 after the legislature approved the establishment of Menard County. That year three families lived there in log cabins surrounded by split-log palisades. Early attempts to organize a county government were unsuccessful. Fort McKavett closed in 1859, leaving residents little protection from frequent Indian raids; the fort reopened after the Civil War. In 1867 Menardville had a store operated by Adam Bradford in a one-room log house, a blacksmith shop, and a saloon and grocery. All supplies were hauled overland from Burnet. Menardville served as a trading post and overnight stop on north and west cattle trails; the old compound of the Spanish mission was used as a holding area for cattle on the way to market. In 1871 a second attempt to organize Menard County was successful, and the first term of county court convened under a live oak tree. A two-story courthouse was built at Menardville in 1872. By the mid-1880s the community had a church, a school, several stores, and 150 residents; livestock, wool, and hides were the principal shipments made from the area. William Columbus Redman published the Menardville Monitor in 1887; later papers included the Record (1889), the Enterprise (1892), and the Messenger (1908), which was owned and operated by humorist Claude Callan. The San Saba River flooded the town in 1899 and caused considerable damage, but residents rebuilt their homes and businesses during the following year. The community continued to grow and by 1903 was able to support a private bank. In 1910 or 1911, while the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railroad Company was making plans to lay track through the community, company officials asked residents to rename their town Menard in order to facilitate the painting of signs. After the first train pulled into town in 1911, Menard experienced an economic boom. By 1914 it had two banks, a variety of businesses, and a population of 1,000. Menard served as the county's principal shipping point for many years. Population estimates reached 2,500 in the late 1920s. Although the Great Depression hit the community hard, the Menard National Bank and the Bevans State Bank remained opened, and most Menard residents managed to recover. In 1931 the county hired a home demonstration agent to help area farmers and their families learn new ways to grow and preserve food. Menard had a population of 1,969 in 1931 and 2,375 in 1941 but began a slow decline in the 1950s, falling from 2,674 in 1952 to 1,914 in 1961. As road improvements made travel and shipping less dependent on rail service, the railroad company began to lose business. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway discontinued its service to Menard in 1972 but donated the old depot to the county for use as a history museum. The Menard County Historical Society began collecting artifacts in 1975 and dedicated the museum in 1978. In the 1980s Menard continued as a market for livestock, wool, and mohair, with tourism and oil production supplementing the local economy; some local ranchers attempted to establish a cashmere industry. The population was 1,697 in 1980, 1,606 in 1990, and 1,653 in 2000." "Apache Warrior Hawk", by George Stanley, a story of life among the Lipan Apaches. MENARD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: PRIOR NAMES: Menardville AVAILABLE SERVICES: Gas: yes; Convenience Stores: yes; Restaurants: yes; Lodging: yes; Grocery Stores: yes; Banks: yes; Vehicle Repair: yes; Hospital: no; Med Clinic: yes; Post Office: yes; Public Schools: yes; Cemetery: yes CEMETERIES: Pioneer Rest Cemetery (Hwy 83 and 1st St., SW corner of town); Rest Haven Cemetery (on Hwy 83 on N edge of town). See full List OTHER PROFILES: Wikipedia; ePodunk; City Data; Texas Escapes; Travel Texas NOTES: (We welcome submission of updates, additions, corrections and digital photos, without compensation.)
BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY CHURCHES APOSTOLIC SANCTUARY: 325-396-2471; 101 Tipton Street, Menard, TX 76859
CITY & COUNTY GOVERNMENT & COUNTY-WIDE PUBLIC SERVICES AMERICAN RED CROSS, Hill Country Chapter: 830-257-4677; 333 Earl Garrett, Kerrville, TX 78028. http://hccarc.redcross.org; Providing Disaster Relief, CPR/First Aid and Lifeguard training, as well as Disaster Training to Blanco, Gillespie, Mason, Menard, Kimble, Kerr and Sutton Counties. HUNTING & FISHING See: Menard Area Hunting & Fishing
LODGING/MOTELS/ACCOMMODATIONS/GUEST HOUSES/B&B'S See: Menard Lodging Listings and Reservation Services
MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES AEP TEXAS: 877-286-2729, Menard, TX 76859
RANCHES B BAR RANCH RETREAT: 325-869-3018, Menard, TX 76859
REAL ESTATE SERVICES CROSS BAR LAND CO REAL ESTATE: 325-396-3050; 210 Hwy 190 E, Menard, TX 76859. www.crossbarland.com
RESTAURANTS/DINING BRANDING IRON BBQ: 325-396-3341; 210 Frisco Ave, Menard, TX 76859
RV PARKS & CAMPING See: RV Parks
SCHOOLS MENARD ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH: 325-396-2348; 300 Gay Street, PO Box 729, Menard, TX 76859
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