KENDALIA, TEXAS

Kendall County, Texas Hill Country

29° 58' 9" N, 98° 31' 20" W (29.969167, -98.522222)
FM 473
25 miles NE of Boerne the county seat
9 miles W of Twin Sisters
38 miles W of San Marcos
60 miles SW of Austin
Population: 459 (2010) 374 (2000) 76 (1990)

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Kendalia Community Church
Photo courtesy Texana Pictures - Douglas Collins, April 2017

History in a Pecan Shell

Both County and town were named after George Wilkins Kendall. Kendall was a colorful character with probably even more intellect than color. He founded the Picayune Newspaper in New Orleans that is still published today (after a merger) as the Times-Picayune.

Sheep: Kendalia's 19th Century Economy
TE photo, June 2001

Kendall introduced sheep ranching to the area in the 1840s. He is also credited with being the world's first war correspondent, having accompanied the U.S. Army into Mexico City during the Mexican War. He was wounded while accompanying the troops that stormed Chapultepec Castle - essentially the last battle of the Mexican War.

The post office in the area had been in the Curry Creek community, but was moved to Kendalia in 1895. Sheep, Goats and cattle have always been the mainstay of the economy. The population in 1940 was 100, and today it is somewhere around 76.

Kendalia - The George Elbel Building c. 1911
TE photo, June 2001

One of the more interesting buildings in this part of Texas is the George Elbel Building which demonstrates how to build on uneven terrain. Next to it is the Kendalia Halle - a dance hall still in business nearly 100 years after it opened.

Another picturesque building is the former Lawhon Store which is now a residence.

Kendalia's former Old Lawhon Store c. 1895
TE photo, june 2001

Kendalia's former school is now a library
TE photo, June 2001

The Kendalia School c.1930

The former school still has the old see-saws and is currently used as a community library. A former mailbox serves as a book drop. One window is bricked-up with limestone and it somehow adds character to the building, rather than just looking like a bricked-up window. The cactus in the terra cotta pot is just to remind you you're in Texas.

The Kendalia Store
TE photo, June 2001

The current store in Kendalia has a chalkboard where notices can be left. On the day of our visit it was Gary's Birthday and a greeting was left for him. Two bicycles were parked to the side of the entrance, which makes us suspect they were there for color. Everyone from cities knows that bicycles should always be piled on top of each other, blocking the entrance.

Kendalia, Texas Area Towns:
Boerne Boerne the county seat
Twin Sisters | San Marcos | Austin

See Kendall County | Texas Hill Country

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