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History
in a Pecan Shell
Created in 1856 from Bexar
County, Kerrville has been the county seat of Kerr
County with the exception of the years 1860-62 when the seat was
Comfort.
Both town and city were named after James
Kerr, who was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence
and an early settler. Kerrville's population has consistently been
approximately half that of the County. |
Historical
Marker:
KERRVILLE
Kerr
County was formally created on January 26, 1856, and named for
Republic of
Texas soldier and pioneer James
Kerr. Among the first settlers in the area was Joshua D. Brown,
a veteran of the Battle
of San Jacinto. Brown was instrumental in naming the county for
his friend James Kerr. The new county seat was named Kerrsville in
May 1856 when Brown donated four acres of land for a public square.
(The "S" was later dropped.)
Early Kerrville settlers included Anglo-American pioneers and German
immigrants. The area became an important cattle raising and shipping
point in the 1870s. In an election held on September 7, 1889, the
citizens of Kerrville voted to incorporate the city, and a mayor and
five aldermen were elected later that month. Joseph A. Tivy served
as first mayor.
The town continued to grow. A city marshal was soon hired and a volunteer
fire department was established in 1891. Also in the 1890s city water
works and electric service were instituted. By the mid-20th century
agriculture, medical services, and tourism had become the major economic
concerns of the city.
(1989) |
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I-10 to Kerrville
TE Photo |
Kerrville,
Texas Attractions / Landmarks
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Hill Country
Arts Foundation in Ingram
Hill Country
Museum
Located in the Captain Charles Schreiner Mansion at 226 Earl
Garrett Street. A Confederate Soldier and Texas Ranger, he later
became a successful business man and philanthropist, endowing Kerrville
with a State Park and a College as well as his beautiful home which
was turned into a museum in 1983. Phone: 210-896-8633.
Kerr Arts
and Cultural Center
In the old post office building. Earl Garrett St. and Main St.
Museum of
Western Art
Home of the Cowboy Artists of America - 1550 Bandera Hwy. (Hwy 173
South of Kerrville). Free admissions. 830-896-2553
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Kerrville Events
Perhaps most famous
for The Kerrville Music Festival, every Spring, there is also
the Folk Festival, Bike Tours, Runs, a Cowboy Camp Meeting, Various
Cook-Offs, Senior Games, Fairs, Shows and Concerts. Call Kerrville
Chamber of Commerce: 830-792-3535.
Kerrville
Hotels › Book Hotel Here
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Kerrville,
Texas Natural Attractions
Guadalupe
River
Having the Guadalupe River bisect your town is a great tourist draw.
... more
Kerrville-Schreiner
State Park
Just south of downtown Kerrville on Hwy 16 across the bridge you’ll
see the sign for 173. Go left on 173 and two and a half miles later
you’ll come to the park entrance on your left. This 517-acre park
offers canoe and tube rentals in the Guadalupe River. During the
week it’s VERY tranquil and on weekends it’s still an improvement
over the crowds found on the river back in Kerrville. Reservations
recommended for overnight stay.
Annual bicycling event every Easter Weekend. 830-257-5392.
Louise
Hays Park is right in the middle of town, and a footbridge
crosses the river to the appropriately named Tranquility Island.
... more
Riverside
Nature Center -
150 Francisco Lemos St. 830-257-4837
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Kerrville cliff.
TE Photo |
A parting look
at Kerrville.
TE photo |
Kerrville,
Texas Chronicles
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Original HEB
Building in Kerrville
Photo
courtesy of the Kerr County Historical Commission |
Peterson Bus
Terminal
Courtesy Hal and Charlie Peterson Foundation |
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A
War Hero Comes Home by Michael Barr
Pvt. Francisco Lemos was finally laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery
on the Fredericksburg Road. He was the first Kerr County soldier
to die in World War I, and the last American soldier killed in Europe
to be brought home.
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Kerrville Old Photos & Postcards |
"The Library,
Schreiner Institute, Kerrville, Texas"
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
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Postcard
courtesy Jo Ann Arnold
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Kerrville City
Hall
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
Post office
in Kerrville in the 1950s
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
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St. Charles
Hotel
Postcard courtesy Jo Ann Arnold
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St. Charles
Hotel
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
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"Presbyterian
M-O Ranch near Kerrville, Texas.
In the 'Heart O' the Hills'
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
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1920s Kerr
County Map
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Kerr
County 1907 Postal Map
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and recent
or vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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