Bug's Texas Travel Log.

[Bugman]

Bug's Texas Travelogue.

This is the first in a series of threads designed to introduce you to some of the beauty and history of the Lone Star State. Last month I headed west on Highway 290, towards Blanco County. Turning left off the highway onto Ranch Road 165, I was rewarded with a scenic 10-12 mile drive into the little town of Blanco. Founded in 1853 by a group of men including Texas Rangers, stockmen and more recent immigrants, a county wide census in 1860 counted 1,218 people including 98 slaves in residence. Today, Blanco County is home to 10,497 people, with the population of Blanco proper at 1,739 souls. In my next post I'll share some pictures of my visit.

 

[milagros317]

Having never been to Texas, I will appreciate your photos and descriptions. 😀

 

[Bugman]

My first stop was Blanco State Park, just blocks from downtown Blanco. At just 104.6 acres the smallest park in the system, it is also the only one completely within a city limits. Opened in 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps made various improvements to the park 1934-1936. I stopped and paid my $4 day user fee at the ranger station then headed there. With the exception of three young teens swimming and fishing in the Blanco River and a few geese, I had the place to myself. Walking along the river bank I saw schools of smallmouth bass ranging in size from hatchling to 4-6 inches. A number of turtles were sunning themselves but quickly submurged as I got closer. Here are some pictures of the Blanco River which runs through the park.

 

[Bugman]

Having never been to Texas, I will appreciate your photos and descriptions. 😀

Thanks my friend. I do love this stuff.

After leaving the park I headed into downtown Blanco. I love historic Victorian Era courthouses, and that was the first thing to catch my eye. Built 1885-1886 the building served that purpose for only four years, when the county seat moved some 14 miles north to Johnson City in 1890. Over the years the building has housed a school, bank, offices for doctors dentists and lawyers, an opera house and hospital. Today a small visitor center, law office and an economic development firm are housed there. Walking in the door I was greeted by a very nice lady who told me some things about the courthouses history. The second floor courtroom was used in the recent remake of True Grit. The areas open to the general public are not air conditioned, and only the old ceiling fans stir the air.

 

[Bugman]

My final stop was the old Blanco County jail. It is just across the street from the courthouse but is hidden in a courtyard behind more recent buildings and is rather hard to find. After circling the block several times I stopped at a small community art center that was open. The nice young man at the desk led me out a side door and served as something of a tour guide. The old building is surrounded by a fence but he told me I was in luck, as the gate was open which is not always the case.

Built in 1877, its most famous, or infamous resident was a man named Al Lackey. In 1885 he went on a killing spree, murdering six family members before his capture. 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. It is a grim, foreboding building. Being held there must have been a very unpleasant experience. Note the huge padlock on the door.

There is much more to see in Blanco and the surrounding area but the temperature was quickly climbing towards 100 degrees, so I headed back to Austin. I'll be back in the fall. The pace of life is slower, and everyone I encountered was friendly and welcoming.

 

[Gothika]

you went to a jail and they did not keep u this time 😛

 

[Bugman]

you went to a jail and they did not keep u this time 😛

Oh, very funny. HAR HAR.

 

[TklDuo-Drew]

Heh Heh..........you said "Log"!




Drew

 

[milagros317]

After leaving the park I headed into downtown Blanco. I love historic Victorian Era courthouses, and that was the first thing to catch my eye. Built 1885-1886 the building served that purpose for only four years ...

My final stop was the old Blanco County jail. It is just across the street from the courthouse but is hidden in a courtyard behind more recent buildings and is rather hard to find ...

Thanks for the photos and descriptions.😀

 

[General Zod]

Oh, very funny. HAR HAR.

I thought I was the only one who wnet to jail this week.


Thanks for the pix dude.

 

[Backstep]

Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂

I've only ever been to Dallas, so it seems like I need to go back to Texas and see some different things.

 

[paracarl44]

In the Air Force we had this saying.......................

Join The Navy to see The World.

Join The Air Force to see Texas.

I was stationed at Amarillo AFB in the summer, after a bus ride across Texas from Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas.

If I ever see Texas again it will be too soon.

 

[Bugman]

I thought I was the only one who wnet to jail this week.


Thanks for the pix dude.

Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂

I've only ever been to Dallas, so it seems like I need to go back to Texas and see some different things.

Thanks guys. If either of you ever visit Austin look me up. I'll show you around a bit. Oh, and Drew?

Join The Navy to see The World.

Join The Air Force to see Texas.

I was stationed at Amarillo AFB in the summer, after a bus ride across Texas from Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas.

If I ever see Texas again it will be too soon.

Eh, we like what we like. I'll grant you Amarillo is not the garden spot of Texas but I love San Antonio.

 

[paracarl44]

Eh, we like what we like. I'll grant you Amarillo is not the garden spot of Texas but I love San Antonio.

^Have you ever been to Amarillo? They told us there was a woman behind every tree, NO TREES. They also told us not to go AWOL because they would see you walking the next morning^

 

[Knox The Hatter]

I believe Blanco was the location of the school in which Lyndon Johnson taught classes as a young man...if my memory serves correctly...

Keep 'em coming, Buggie. You know I love stuff like this.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Built in 1877, its most famous, or infamous resident was a man named Al Lackey. In 1885 he went on a killing spree, murdering six family members before his capture. 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.

Maybe they were afraid he'd be released by a sympathetic jury, and wind up getting a book deal, and a publicity tour.

 

[Bugman]

I believe Blanco was the location of the school in which Lyndon Johnson taught classes as a young man...if my memory serves correctly...

Keep 'em coming, Buggie. You know I love stuff like this.

You could be right about LBJ, I'd have to look that up. Oh, and you will really love what is coming next week I suspect. 😉

Maybe they were afraid he'd be released by a sympathetic jury, and wind up getting a book deal, and a publicity tour.

Oh lord...so very very wrong. But, I can't help myself.

 

[paracarl44]

Thanks my friend. I do love this stuff.

After leaving the park I headed into downtown Blanco. I love historic Victorian Era courthouses, and that was the first thing to catch my eye. Built 1885-1886 the building served that purpose for only four years, when the county seat moved some 14 miles north to Johnson City in 1890. Over the years the building has housed a school, bank, offices for doctors dentists and lawyers, an opera house and hospital. Today a small visitor center, law office and an economic development firm are housed there. Walking in the door I was greeted by a very nice lady who told me some things about the courthouses history. The second floor courtroom was used in the recent remake of True Grit. The areas open to the general public are not air conditioned, and only the old ceiling fans stir the air.

^What is this about being located next to The Devils Backbone according to Wikipedia?^

 

[Bugman]

^What is this about being located next to The Devils Backbone according to Wikipedia?^

I'm not sure what you are asking me. I've driven parts of the Devil's Backbone but that was years ago. I'll probably drive the entire route this fall.

 

[TheHiddenDemon]

I think I have also been to Blanco, but when I was much younger.
I sure don't remember seeing any of these places though, it may have been another place now I'm not sure.

 

[Bugman]

I think I have also been to Blanco, but when I was much younger.
I sure don't remember seeing any of these places though, it may have been another place now I'm not sure.

Could be, after all the Hill Country is studded with little towns like Blanco. If you passed through town on Highway 281 the park entrance and courthouse are just blocks away from each other, and would be difficult to miss. The jail can't be seen from the street. Heck, I was looking for it and had to ask for help.

 

[paracarl44]

I remember seeing tumbleweed blowing on my trip to Amarillo.

 

[Bugman]

I remember seeing tumbleweed blowing on my trip to Amarillo.

Well, I've seen tumbleweeds near Austin. I'm not sure what the point is, or what it has to do with this thread, other than the fact you don't care for Texas. Which is fine. We like what we like.

 

[paracarl44]

Well, I've seen tumbleweeds near Austin. I'm not sure what the point is, or what it has to do with this thread, other than the fact you don't care for Texas. Which is fine. We like what we like.

^The only time I ever saw tumbleweed was in Western movies.^

 

[Bugman]

^The only time I ever saw tumbleweed was in Western movies.^

Ok, great. Again, this thread is about Blanco, not Amarillo or tumbleweeds. Can we get back on topic now?