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Hill Country Portal
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WILLOW CITY, Texas
"no slogan"
Population (2000): 75COL Index (2008): unknown
Elevation: 2,000 ft
Area: unknownCounty: NE Gillespie
Zip Code: 78675
Area Code: 830Time Zone: CST
Coordinates: 30.414° N, -98.737° W
Location: NE of Fredericksburg; S of Llano; 3 mi E of Eckert
Highways: RR 1323, Willow City Loop
Creeks: Willow Creek, Coal Creek
Rivers: NoneLakes: None
REFERENCES
CITY: Not incorporated.CHAMBER and TOURISM: None
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES: Nothing formal
SMALLER NEIGHBORING TOWNS: Willow City; Crabapple
PRINCIPAL BUSINESS: Tourism, ranching
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: Note: This "ghost" town is well known because of the very scenic drive through Willow City Loop and two popular biker saloons (Harry's and Knot In The Loop). Most local folks think of the neighboring unincorporated area of Eckert and Willow City as one, and call it "Willow City".
WILLOW CITY LOOP: This popular 13 mile drive has scenic views around every windy turn up and down the back-roads of this rugged area, including a surprisingly large and beautiful canyon. This loop is particularly popular and outstanding when the wildflowers are in full bloom (especially bluebonnets, sometime in March-May, rain dependent), with lots of car and motorcycle traffic taking in the mosaic colors. Enter this loop on Hwy 16 at the Loop's NW corner (for a clockwise tour), or on RR 1323 in Willow City (for a counter-clockwise tour). Private land on both sides of this loop, so no stomping or picnicking in the fields of wildflowers. There is a good place to stop in the bottom of the canyon, stretch your legs and enjoy the views. Loop Map; Google Map; Article, Wildflower Photos
NEARBY & HILL COUNTRY-WIDE ATTRACTIONS: See Attractions.
Some of the very nearby attractions include:
FREDERICKSBURG: FORT; BUTTERFLY RANCH; HERB FARM; THEATER; TRADE DAYS; MUSEUMS; DULCIMERS; HISTORIC GERMAN DOWNTOWNL JEWLRY WORKSHOP; ROCKBOX; WILDSEED FARM; COWBOY RANCH
LLANO: PARKS; GOLF; HILL COUNTRY WILDLIFE MUSEUM; LLANO COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM; LANTEX THEATER
PARKS: There are many state parks in the greater area as profiled on the Parks page. These nearby parks include:
FREDERICKSBURG: ADMIRAL NIMITZ STATE HISTORIC SITE & NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PACIFIC WAR; ENCHANTED ROCK STATE NATURAL AREA; LADY BIRD MUNICIPAL PARK
STONEWALL: LBJ STATE & NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARKS
Local city parks include: None
EVENT CALENDAR: There are few regularly scheduled events.
May: WCVFD ANNUAL BARBECUE, AUCTION, RAFFLE & COUNTRY STORE FUNDRAISER: Held annually on the first Saturday in May at the Fire Station.
August: WILLOW CITY OPEN HOUSE & PICNIC: At the Historic School Building/Community Center, 2501 Ranch Road 1323, Willow City, TX. Annual reunion/homecoming celebration.
September: HARDEST HALF IN TEXAS HALF MARATHON RACE: web. Note: their is word this event may be skipped in 2010. Check status at www.getfittrisports.com
WEATHER: Weather Underground
MEDIA COVERAGE: None (also see Fredericksburg)
ON-LINE NEWS: TOPIX NEWS
MAPS: Google
HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online: ". . . The earliest recorded settler before the Civil War was a slaveholding Baptist preacher reported to harbor a strong dislike for the neighboring Germans. Sometime after the war a group of settlers-including ranchers Andrew Moore, Jim Renick, William Luckenbach, Bill Hardin, and Pierce Smith, storekeeper Gene Harrison, and miller Bill Ricks-came to Willow Creek and founded one of the few Gillespie County communities settled by English-speakers rather than Germans. These early settlers traded mostly in Austin because they preferred dealing with other Anglo-Americans rather than with the Germans in nearby Fredericksburg. The town prospered and gained an early reputation as a criminal hangout. The post office opened in 1877 and was named Willow until 1887, when it changed to Willow City. The town had two teachers as early as 1881; one was John Warren Hunter, who once had to wrestle a six-gun away from an angry student. In 1885 a Methodist congregation was organized, although a church was not built until 1900, under Rev. T. J. Lassater. From 1892 to 1894 Green Harrison published the Gillespie County News; later he sold the newspaper to Webster McGinnis, who moved it to Fredericksburg. Willow City received telephone service in 1893. In 1904 the population was estimated at 132, and by 1915 Willow City had three general stores, a drugstore, two blacksmiths, and a cotton gin. The population declined during the first half of the twentieth century, to 100 in 1925 and to forty in 1939. During the 1940s it climbed again, reaching sixty by 1949, and then it fluctuated between a low of seventeen in 1964 and a high of eighty-five in 1968. In 1970 the population was estimated at seventy-five, where it remained through 2000."
History of Willow City School, by Mable Wilke, 7/26/09: "Little is known about the first Willow City schoolhouse, which was located on the Paulus Flat area near the Willow Creek. When R. C. Roberts came to the Community in 1876 he described the building as a log cabin, no floor, and having split long benches. The building at that time was used for school and church services. In 1881, that building was enlarged, and in 1890, after the original school building flooded away, a second building was constructed on higher ground. In 1905, the present building was built on even higher ground where it stands today. This two-story rock building has two rooms and a hallway downstairs and an auditorium and stage upstairs. Ceiling fans have been installed and the downstairs has A/C window units for cooling. In the 1950's, restrooms were added to the north side of the building. The building and school grounds have served the Community for educating the young people, for holding business meetings, social gatherings and community events such as calf roping and softball games. The Willow City School consolidated with Fredericksburg Independent School District at the end of school term 1960-61. The Willow City Community Club was organized May 12, 1961. Then, on April 19, 1999, the Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools organized of which Willow City School is a member. The Friends group works toward preservation of the country school buildings that still are in existence for community use. The Willow City School building and property is now owned by Gillespie County." See more in the detailed listings below.
PRIOR NAMES: Willow (until 1887)
NATIONAL REGISTRY SITES: Willow City School
CEMETERIES: Willow City Cemetery (Gold-Schaefer Rd); Eckert Cemetery (Hwy 16); Young's Chapel Cemetery (Wahrmund-Ahrens Rd).
AVAILABLE SERVICES: Gas: no; Convenience Stores: yes; Restaurants: yes (very limited hours); Lodging: yes; Grocery Stores: no; Banks: no; Vehicle Repair: no; Hospital: no; Med Clinic: no; Post Office: yes; Public Schools: no; Cemetery: 3
OTHER PROFILES: Wikipedia; ePodunk (not available); City Data (not available); Texas Escapes; Travel Texas (not available)
NOTES:
We welcome submission of updates, additions, corrections & digital photos, without compensation.
BUSINESS & ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY
EMERGENCIES (Police, Fire, EMS/Medical) Dial 911 |  |
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
LOCAL CITY GOVERNMENT: Unincorporated
LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT: See: Gillespie County Government Offices
STATE & FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: For offices that represent the Hill Country,
see: Texas & Federal Government Offices
US POST OFFICE: 830-685-3255; 2571 RR 1323, Willow City, TX 78675
CRISIS HOTLINES: click Hotlines-Emergencies |
DAY & SEASON HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES:
See full list of leases for this town at: Hunting & Fishing.
R DIAMOND RANCH: 830-685-3266; 3875 Eckert Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. Located 4 mi W of Hwy 16. www.rabkes.com. Guided deer hunts, All Ages Welcome. Men, Women, and Children Welcome. Very Reasonable Prices--Quoted on Request.
WAIGHT'S 4-W RANCH: 830-685-3577; 1400 Eckert Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. http://www.4wranches.com. Exotic and deer hunts.
TAXIDERMY & MEAT PROCESSING:
RABKE'S TABLE READY MEATS: 830-685-3266; 3875 Eckert Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. Located 4 mi W of Hwy 16. www.rabkes.com Processing & Storage.
COTTAGE ON THE LOOP: 910-263-5756; Willow City, on Willow City Loop, between Fredericksburg and Llano; Web
WAIGHT'S 4-W RANCH: 830-685-3577; 1400 Eckert Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. http://www.4wranches.com/lodging/loadging.htm.
WILLOW RIDGE RETREAT BED & BREAKFAST: 888-974-3432; 830-685-3836; 5828 RR 1323, Willow City, TX 78675. www.willowridgeretreat.com
ZIMMERMAN'S KZZ KOTTAGE: 888-991-6749; 2803 RR 1323, Willow City, TX 78675. Web
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS & SERVICES
EMMANUEL GOSPEL CHURCH: 2538 RR 1323, Willow City, TX 78675
HOHMANN'S WILLOW CITY GENERAL STORE:
830-685-3255; 2571 RR 1323, Willow City, TX 78675.
Patrick Hohmann-Owner
MULDEROSA RANCH AT COAL CREEK: 830-685-3062; 5998 Willow City Loop, Willow City, TX 78675. www..com
SELECTIVE MECHANICAL: 830-685-3244;
1348 Herber-Schaefer Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. Ray Gold-Owner. Auto repair shop and towing.
ST. NICK'S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM:
830-685-3412;
12638 N Hwy 16, Willow City, TX 78675
WILLOW CITY COMMUNITY CLUB: Usually meets first Friday evening of each month. Club Secretary/Treasurer: Mable Wilke, 830-685-3385, Email: RMRWilkeRanch@earthlink.net.
WILLOW CITY SCHOOL BUILDING/COMMUNITY CENTER: 2501 RR 1323, Willow City, TX 78675. This is a hickory sandstone, two-story, three room school building with original desks and blackboards. Built in 1905. This was the third school building for the Willow City community. First Rural Gillespie County school to have a bus and bus shed. Consolidated with Fredericksburg in 1961. It is on the Gillespie County Country Schools Trail and is designated National Historic Registered site. The Building may be rented for social gatherings, such as receptions, reunions, meetings and classes. An annual open house and family night picnic reunion/homecoming celebration is held in August. See Club contact above regarding rental and building/area history.
See above historical account by Wilke. More historical information about this and other former Gillespie Country rural schools can be found at: www.historicschools.org
WILLOW CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT:
830-685-3376; 2553 RR 1323, POB 20, Willow City, TX 78675
RESTAURANTS-DINING-BEVERAGES-ENTERTAINMENT
HARRY'S ON THE LOOP: 512-450-8239; 2732 RR 1323, Willow City, TX 78675. Located 13 mi N of Fredericksburg TX. Famous BBQ, bottled & draft beer, classic biker stop. Owner: Harry Hickman. www.harrysbbqontheloop.com. Newspaper Article with photos.
KNOT IN THE LOOP SALOON: 830-685-3591; 236 RR 1323, Willow City, TX 78675, near Hwy 16 intersection, located 13 mi N of Fredericksburg. Wellspring of stories & adventure. Kitchen food, beer, wine. Occasional entertainment. Open: Thu-Sat, noon-late. Gateway to Willow City. Owners: Wayne & Robin Nichols. www.willowcitytexas.com
 CALL or e-Locate BEFORE YOU DIG!Free Texas 811 Locator 1-800-344-8377 www.texas811.com |
HILL COUNTRY-WIDE UTILITY PROVIDERS:
For Hill Country area utility service providers (electric, gas, water, sewer, trash),
telecom providers (land lines, cellular service, TV, internet), and related services (package delivery, newspaper, etc.), click: Utilities & Telecom
SANDY ROAD GUEST HAUS:
An upscale Western-style Guest House Bed & Breakfast
in a Beautiful Ranch Setting in the Gorgeous Texas Hill Country
B&B Reservations & Information: 281-300-7177
9242 RR 1320 (Sandy Road), Johnson City, TX 78636
Web: www.SandyRoadGuestHaus.com Email: info@SandyRoadGuestHaus.com
Come Relax & Enjoy!
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