Bug's Guidebook to Texas.

[Bugman]

Some of you may remember my guidebook series from a few years ago. Without getting into the reasons, I had to put it to bed for a few years, much longer than planned. Now, I'm bringing it back on at least semi-regular basis. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

Blanco is 45 miles west of Austin, in Blanco County. The area was first settled in 1835 by some former Texas Rangers, expatriates from Alabama and Tennessee, and a smattering of German and Czech immigrants. The 1860 census counted 1,218 residents including 98 slaves. Blanco was a trade hub for ranchers and farmers in the area until the 1880s, when Johnson City to the north emerged as a rival. The 2014 census shows a population of 1,876 in the city limits.

 

[Bugman]

At just 104.6 acres Blanco State Park is the smallest in the system. It is also the only state park completely in a city limits. The Blanco River flows through the park and offers swimming and fishing for bass, catfish and perch. Rainbow trout are stocked in December and January. Opened in 1934, work by the Civilian Conservation Corps added modern restrooms and screened shelters for picnics. RV hookups are available and usually reserved far in advance.

 

[Bugman]

More park pictures.

 

[Bugman]

The first permanent county courthouse was constructed 1885-86. It served that purpose only until 1890, when the county seat moved 14 miles north to Johnson City. Over the years the building has housed a school, bank, medical and dental offices and a hospital and opera house. After sitting nearly empty for years the building was renovated and is now home to a visitors center and some private offices. The interior and exterior courthouse scenes in the True Grit remake were filmed here.

 

[Bugman]

This jail was built in 1877. The most famous, or infamous inmate was a man named Al Lackey. In 1885 he went on a killing spree, murdering six family members before being captured. After a few days in jail he was seized by angry townsmen, taken north of town and hanged from an oak tree which is still standing. Over the years there have been occasional reports of a ghostly, shabbily dressed figure wandering the shoulders of Hwy. 290, waving a large knife and trying to flag down passing cars.

 

[Bugman]

Our final stop is the Buggy Barn Museum, north of downtown on Hwy. 281. No jokes please. I know how you people are. 😛

 

[Bugman]

I have quite a few pictures from the museum.

 

[Bugman]

More pictures.

 

[Bugman]

Most of the collection consists of authentic period pieces with at least some restoration done. The jail wagon in pictures two and three is a replica used in the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman TV show.

 

[Alliekat]

Neat! This is the first of these posts I have ever seen and I look forward to seeing more in the future!

 

[Bugman]

More pictures. The last picture is a rare 1903 Studebaker.

 

[Bugman]

Seven more pictures in two posts. The third picture is an authentic doctors buggy that we have all seen in so many western TV shows and films.

 

[Tenebrae]

This community of ours never ceases to amaze me!

 

[Bugman]

The last two pictures. An iconic Conestoga Wagon, that carried the possessions of many pioneers on their journey west across the Great Plains.

If you find yourself in the area with a day to spare, a day in Blanco is a nice option. The Hill Country is home to many vineyards, craft brewers and distillers, many of them offering tours and tasting rooms.

 

[BlasterMaster]

Any awesome wax museums with authentic costumes?

 

[Bugman]

Neat! This is the first of these posts I have ever seen and I look forward to seeing more in the future!

This community of ours never ceases to amaze me!

I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I do love sharing things about my state.

Any awesome wax museums with authentic costumes?

There was a Ripley's wax museum in downtown San Antonio. I don't know if its still open.

 

[rdhd]

As a somewhat young lad (service brat then), lived near Abilene for a year and a half. Later, as an adult, a year and a half in Houston, and seven years in Midland (was in oil exploration then). So, yeh, know a little about Tejas; it is an interesting state, despite the jokes often made of it.

 

[The Internet]

Wow, great stuff, beautiful pics.

 

[Bugman]

As a somewhat young lad (service brat then), lived near Abilene for a year and a half. Later, as an adult, a year and a half in Houston, and seven years in Midland (was in oil exploration then). So, yeh, know a little about Tejas; it is an interesting state, despite the jokes often made of it.

Never been out Abilene way. One of these days maybe. If you don't mind my asking, where in Houston did you live? I moved around a lot, we could have been neighbors. I don't know about now, but for several years Midland-Odessa was one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country.

Wow, great stuff, beautiful pics.

Thanks. Ansel Adams I'm not, just do the best I can.

 

[milagros317]

This is both fascinating and very well done. Thanks, Bugman. 😀

 

[Bugman]

Thanks mils. I knew you would enjoy it.

 

[bethaknee]

Pretty neat!

 

[rdhd]

If you don't mind my asking, where in Houston did you live? I moved around a lot, we could have been neighbors.

If I remember correctly, I lived near the intersection of Richmond Ave and S. Gessner, and worked in Bellaire. Looking at the maps now of where I thought I lived, looks like things have changed big time. Happens in them big cities.

 

[Bugman]

Pretty neat!

Yeah, got my history nerd on. 😛

If I remember correctly, I lived near the intersection of Richmond Ave and S. Gessner, and worked in Bellaire. Looking at the maps now of where I thought I lived, looks like things have changed big time. Happens in them big cities.

Nope, never lived out there. So your office was in Bellaire. I have a pretty good idea who you worked for then, but I won't mention it here.

 

[rdhd]

Yeh, Bugman, They got the city to change the name of the street because it had the name of a-then competitor....