ABOUT BANDERA
The Bandera business community and citizens cherish their heritage. Our business community is devoted to providing both tourists and locals with the best products and experiences possible. We work hard, have fun, and are always friendly. While embracing our main sector, tourism, we also strive to explore uncharted possibilities that could enhance Bandera's quality of life. We seek to combine our heritage with the most cutting-edge commercial prospects. We credit Bandera County's success to the forward-thinking nature of our business community. We have a special place in history since this was the meeting spot for the six million longhorn cattle that travelled the illustrious Western Trail. Our ancestors raised sheep, goats, and cattle as a means of surviving in the harsh Hill Country.
Subsequently, we let guests on our ranches, creating a network of some of the top dude ranches in the nation. A gorgeous lake tucked away in one of our treasured hills, herds of exotic animals, and apple orchards all contributed to the beauty of our country. We have always extended a handshake and a tip of the hat to guests and newcomers.
THE HISTORY OF BANDERA
So in essence, Bandera's history can be split into two parts: the Polish folks and the non-Polish folks who settled here. Both of them worked really hard and had faith and determination to create an amazing history, and now, 150 years later, their descendants are still building strong communities.
In 1852, Thomas Odom, A.M. Milstead, and P.D. Saner got their families together and set up camp by the Medina River. They spent their time chopping up cypress trees and turning them into roofing shingles.
John James and Charles de Montel showed up in 1853 to acquire some land and set up a town. It was determined by their survey that Bandera was a town.
Amasa Clark is honoured as the first resident of Bandera. He had 19 kids in total and lived to be 101. Despite surviving a robbery attack along the route to San Antonio, a terrifying drought, and an equally terrifying flood, he established a prosperous company, "Elmdale Nursery," where hundreds of his pear trees still thrive today. As part of the Texas Family Land Heritage Programme, his ranch has been honoured. "Old Man Clark" credited his long life to both the healthful environment of Bandera County and his healthy lifestyle, which excluded alcohol and tobacco. He continued to tend his farm and rode his horse into town to cast his vote at age 101. Barbara and Steve Skipper, Clark's great-granddaughter and her husband, are currently working to renovate Elmdale Nursery.
Around March 1, 1854, Elder Lyman Wight and a colony of about 250 Mormons arrived in Bandera. The Latter-Day Saints stayed in Bandera for just a few months before moving 12 miles down the Medina River and establishing their camp, which is now surrounded by Medina Lake and is still referred to by locals as "Mormon Camp."
Bandera's history is a colourful tapestry whose lines blend into the present to bring people back home. The words "You will come back" greet the departing tourists who visit Bandera land, according to newspaper founder, author, historian, and founder of the Frontier Times Museum J. Marvin Hunter in One Hundred Years in Bandera.