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"Anything PC"
by George
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TECHNOLOGY HELP
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281-300-7177
Johnson City, TX
info@cofran.com
www.cofran.com |
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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, one in Willow City and one just 3 mi W on RR 1323 in the sister "ghost" town of Eckert. Most folks think of the combined small area as "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
HARRY'S ON THE LOOP: 830-685-3553; 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
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.
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
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."
PRIOR NAMES: Willow (until 1887)
NATIONAL REGISTRY SITES: Willow City School
CEMETERIES:
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:
OTHER PROFILES: Wikipedia; ePodunk (not available); City Data (not available); Texas Escapes; Travel Texas (not available)
NOTES:
(We welcome submission of updates, additions, corrections and digital photos, without compensation.)
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Johnson City, TX
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