County Seat: Bandera * County Population: 20,203
The Bandera County Courthouse was built in 1890 in a Renaissance Revival style as designed by F.B. Trester. This National Register Property was fashioned from native limestone. The county’s initial temple of justice, also a limestone structure, was completed in 1869 and now serves as a library.
Both the county and its seat of Bandera refer to the famous Bandera Pass, the site of several heated battles between Spanish conquistadors and both Apache and Comanche Indians. Legend has it that a “bandera,” Spanish for flag, was placed along the pass to mark the border between the forces.
Nicknamed “The Cowboy Capital of the World,” Bandera is located some 50 miles northwest of San Antonio. According to one local, “you can’t toss a horseshoe without hitting a dude ranch, rodeo ground, Western wear store, or dance hall.” The cowboy spirit is evidenced by:
Dude Ranches: The county is well known for its many dude ranches including Flying L Guest Ranch, Mayan Ranch, Dixie Dude Ranch, and Twin Elm Guest Ranch. Activities include horseback rides, hayrides, fishing, cookouts and Western entertainment.
Rodeos: Bandera is synonymous with rodeos. An area favorite that takes place every Tuesday and Friday through the summer is at the Twin Elm Guest Ranch. For professional action, check out the Cowboy Capital PRCA Rodeo, conducted in May.
Honky Tonks: Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar offers a sawdust-covered floor just perfect for boot-scootin’, and the Cabaret Dancehall boasts a seven-decade country music history including big-name acts.
Cowboys on Main: During the warm weather months, downtown Bandera is transformed with a Saturday event called Cowboys on Main. Scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. right on Main Street, the event features horseback-riding cowboys, storytellers, trick ropers and musicians. The event is sponsored by the Frontier Times Museum’s Living History Project. The museum dates back to 1927 and showcases Bandera’s early days with displays including cowboy paraphernalia, Native American arrowheads and prehistoric artifacts.
Visitors also frequent Bandera County for its beautiful scenery including Lost Maples State Natural Area, which spans 2,174 scenic acres in Bandera and Real counties. Activities include picnicking, camping, backpacking, sightseeing, hiking, photography, birdwatching, fishing, swimming and nature study.
The Hill Country State Natural Area located in Bandera and Medina counties is an undeveloped and secluded retreat including some 40 miles of multi-use trails boasting grassy valleys, spring-fed streams and limestone hills. The bulk of the area’s 5,369 acres was a donation from the Merrick Bar-O-Ranch with the stipulation that the land (Texas Almanac 2008-2009