Hill Country Trail Region
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Inset: Fredericksburg’s German heritage is displayed throughout the town; Background: Bluebonnets near Marble Falls ★ ★ ★ reen hills roll like waves to the horizon. Clear streams babble below rock cliffs. Wildfl owers blanket valleys in a full spectrum of color. Such scenic beauty stirs the spirit in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region. The area is rich in culture and mystique, from fl ourishing vineyards and delectable cuisines to charming small towns with a compelling blend of diversity in heritage and history. The region’s 19 counties form the hilly eastern half of the Edwards Plateau. The curving Balcones Escarpment defi nes the region’s eastern and southern boundaries. Granite outcroppings in the Llano Uplift mark its northern edge. The region includes two major cities, Austin and San Antonio, and dozens of captivating communities with historic downtowns. Millions of years ago, geologic forces uplifted the plateau, followed by eons of erosion that carved out hills more than 2,000 feet in elevation. Water fi ltered through limestone bedrock, shaping caverns and vast aquifers feeding into the many Hill Country region rivers that create a recreational paradise. Scenic beauty, Small–town charm TxDOT TxDOT Paleoindian hunter-gatherers roamed the region during prehistoric times. Water and wildlife later attracted Tonkawa, Apache and Comanche tribes, along with other nomads who hunted bison and antelope. Eighteenth-century Spanish soldiers and missionaries established a presidio and fi ve missions in San Antonio, which became the capital of Spanish Texas. Native American presence deterred settlements during the era when Texas was part of New Spain and, later, Mexico. After Texas gained its independence from Mexico (1836) and established statehood (1845), Americans (largely from Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri) and German immigrants settled farms and founded villages. Native American resistance clashed with pioneer persistence, and violence TxDOT occasionally erupted. 2 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Far left: Cinco de Mayo, San Marcos; Sunrise Exotic Ranch, south of Dripping Springs; Arkey Blue at his Silver Dollar Saloon, Bandera Background: Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Head for the hills to experience dramatic nature and history The Civil War divided the Hill Country. German- established counties split between those that held anti-slavery sentiments and others that aligned with the Confederacy. After the war, cattlemen spurred economic recovery by driving South Texas longhorns through the region along the Western and Chisholm trails, herding millions of head of cattle to the Kansas railheads until the 1880s. By 1900, Native American raids ended, railroads arrived and the frontier was a fading memory. Cattle ranchers also raised sheep and goats, spawning a Throughout World War II, Austin and San Antonio wool and mohair industry. The burgeoning capital of played important roles as homes to large military Austin took on a more distinguished metropolitan installations and home front industries. Flight design, attracting such legendary fi gures as the training airfi elds were also established in San eminent European sculptor Elisabet Ney and budding Marcos, Hondo and Uvalde. journalist William Sydney Porter, who later gained The post-war decades were good to the region, worldwide fame under the pen name, O. Henry. with rapid growth in Austin and San Antonio and a The Hill Country also shaped two of America’s broadening ethnic diversity. Today, the Texas Hill most colorful and powerful politicians. Uvalde Country Trail Region is one of the most popular travel Congressman John Nance “Cactus Jack” Garner destinations in Texas. became President Franklin Roosevelt’s vice president So head for the hills and discover stunning vistas during the 1930s Depression. He guided New Deal and amazing caverns. Hike dramatic canyons and fl oat programs through Congress, such as the Civilian lazy rivers. Explore roller coaster back roads and Conservation Corps, which built the region’s fi rst picturesque towns. Experience the history of the parks, including Blanco State Park, Garner State Texas Hill Country Trail Region by following in the Park, Inks Lake State Park and Inks Dam National footsteps of Native Americans and Spanish Fish Hatchery. Another New Deal supporter and rising missionaries, German immigrants and Anglo political star was then-Congressman Lyndon pioneers, cattle drovers and powerful politicians — B. Johnson, who went on to become president during and stand on the stage of the real places where the the turbulent and pivotal 1960s. real stories happened. 3 THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY TRAIL REGION L a LAMPASAS m p a s 281 a 190 s R i C v o e lo r r a d o Lampasas 6 R 190 i v e r 183 S BURNET an Ga 71 b riel Bluffton Lake River Buchanan 195 Llano 5 Burnet WILLIAMSON 29 Buchanan Inks Lake er Lake Riv Dam 29 Georgetown Llano Georgetown Granger Kingsland 7 Lake 79 LLANO 16 Lake Hutto Marble Falls 4 Cedar Park 9 Taylor Marble Falls 8 95 71 Round BLANCO Rock Lago Vista TRAVIS GILLESPIE Willow City Lake Travis Lake Austin 290 Fredericksburg Bee Cave P 3 Johnson 10 Austin ede rnale 1 City s Ri 2 Hye ver 290 Oak 290 Mountain Home Stonewall Hill 35 11 Dripping 87 ive 183 Ingram Blanco R r 12 Blanco Springs Hunt KENDALL HAYS TEXAS HILL COUNTRY 41 KERR Kerrville 26 Kyle 83 281 Wimberley San TRAIL REGION 39 Comfort G COMAL 27 uada Marcos 16 lup Canyon Miles 0 10 20 30 e Riv Lake 13 REAL 10 er 173 BANDERA Sattler 46 K 0 10 20 30 40 Medina 25 Boerne Cibolo Creek New 35 INTERSTATE HIGHWAY Camp 22 Leakey 23 Vanderpool 24 Bandera Braunfels 14 Wood BEXAR Tarpley 377 U.S. HIGHWAY N Lake 16 Utopia Medina 171 STATE HIGHWAY S UVALDE Concan a 173 b 10 NUMBERS ON MAP MATCH i n 25 a 15 San Antonio NUMBERS IN ITINERARY l 55 127 Dunlay 87 83 Hondo 16 410 Knippa Lake TEXAS TRAVEL TRAIL 90 R Castroville 181 Calaveras i v e 90 r Lake TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTER 21 Uvalde MEDINA 16 Braunig Fr 132 L io e R 281 o iv n e a r R i 35 v 173 17 Poteet N e F r r u io e c e Ri s ve 18 57 r Pleasanton HILL COUNTRY R Jourdanton 19 i v e FRIO r ZAVALA 20 Pearsall 83 37 85 97 ATASCOSA Crystal City Dilley The following cities are described in this guide, and the number refers to the city’s location on the map. AUSTIN 10 DRIPPING SPRINGS 11 JOURDANTON 19 MARBLE FALLS 4 ROUND ROCK 8 BANDERA 24 FREDERICKSBURG 1 KERRVILLE 26 NEW BRAUNFELS 14 SAN ANTONIO 15 BLANCO 12 GEORGETOWN 7 LAMPASAS 6 PEARSALL 20 SAN MARCOS 13 BOERNE 25 HUTTO 9 LEAKEY 22 PLEASANTON 18 STONEWALL 2 CASTROVILLE 16 JOHNSON CITY 3 LLANO 5 POTEET 17 UVALDE 21 VANDERPOOL 23 www.thc.state.tx.us/travel www.txhillcountrytrail.com 4 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION AUSTIN In 1839, the Republic of Texas selected a Colorado River site called Waterloo for its capital and renamed it after empresario Stephen F. Austin; 50 years later, the State of Texas built the current Renaissance Revival-style State Capitol. Daily tours delve into the Capitol’s art and architecture and the workings of Texas government. Historical monuments dot the grounds, which also contain the oldest state structure, the 1850s General Land Offi ce, now the Capitol Visitors Center, featuring rotating exhibits and a pictorial history of the Capitol’s restoration. France recognized the Texas Republic and, in 1839, sent a diplomat, Alphonse Dubois, who built a fi ne residence and legation in 1840–41. Dr. Joseph Robertson bought the house after statehood, Scarborough Barn, Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, Austin and it stayed in his family a century. The French Legation Master architect Abner Cook built many fi ne residences, the most Museum now features the original intact of which is the 1855 Neill-Cochran House. Constructed of house, plus a replicated kitchen exposed limestone and longleaf pine, the two-story Greek Revival- and carriage house. Period style mansion has Doric columns and a cantilevered balcony. The furnishings from Dubois and the house once served as a school for the blind and a Civil War hospital. Robertsons honor an elegant era Its name came from later owners, Andrew Neill and Judge T.B. when Texas was young. Cochran. Splendid Victorian furnishings decorate the house, The Republic of Texas refl ecting Austin’s sophistication in the late 1800s. Alphonse Dubois’ bedroom on tour, Museum rekindles the Texas Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms demonstrates the rigors and French Legation Museum, Austin Revolution through displays of joys of 19th century farm life. A walking tour includes village square rare artifacts, including textiles stores, homes and three farms where reenactors tend crops, work from prominent frontier families. Dioramas made for the 1936 Texas animals and perform chores. The James Bell home and detached Centennial portray events like the 1836 Battle of San kitchen embodies a prosperous cotton grower’s life. Jacinto, where General Sam Houston defeated The Frederick Jourdan cabin and outbuildings Mexican General Santa Anna. Santa Anna’s replicate an 1870s homestead. The dueling pistols and cut-glass jewelry Fredric Kreuger Farm refl ects the box are on display, along with a simple life of 1860s German dining chair captured from his immigrants. Jourdan-Bachman Mexican castle during the Pioneer Farms also features a 1846 U.S.-Mexico War. Tonkawa Indian campsite. Interior view of the rotunda dome, Texas State Capitol, Austin TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 5 In 1892, German sculptor The UT at Austin campus is also home of the Lyndon Baines Elisabet Ney built Formosa, a Johnson (LBJ) Library and Museum.