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History
in a Pecan Shell
The town once known as Menardville was formed in 1858. The
following year Ft. McKavett
was deactivated, leaving the settlers without protection from the
Indians. After the Civil War the fort was reopened and while nearby
Mason was supplied from San
Antonio, Menard received its supplies via Burnet.
The county was organized in 1871 with county court being held under
the branches of a Live Oak tree. They built their first courthouse
in 1872 and Menardville settled into a period of hard work
and slow but steady growth.
A bad flood of the San Saba River occurred in 1899 and the railroad
arrived in 1911. In one of those little historical quirks that abound
in Texas, the railroad asked the town to drop the ville from its name
to make sign painting easier. Menardville complied and was renamed
Menard.
The town had as many as 2,500 people in the mid 1920s. |
Menard, Texas
Historic Landmarks & Attractions
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The
Menard County Museum
In the AT&SF Depot on the Northside of the San Saba River.
Donated to the city when the railroad pulled out, the museum opened
its doors in 1978. |
Menard County
Historical Museum
Former Menard Depot
TE photo |
Historical Marker:
Pioneers Rest
Cemetery
Burial plot was
begun by Adam Bradford, who buried his father, Jack Bradford, here
in 1863. As the town and cemetery grew, the city bought the tract
from Mrs. Gustav E. Schleicher in 1904. Fence surrounding cemetery
was built of stone from the old courthouse and jail, razed in 1931,
and reputed to have been in the original structure of nearby San
Luis de Las Amarillas (Built by the Spanish in 1757). Final resting
place for many area pioneers, including soldiers, cowboys, gamblers,
preachers, civil war veterans, Indian fighters, and Texas Rangers.
1973 |
Pioneers
Rest Cemetery
In town on US83 - an attractive cemetery with a very interesting terrain.
TE photo |
Menard
Grave
by Mike Cox ("Texas Tales" Column)
A few folks knew of a solitary tombstone surrounded by a fence in
a live oak mott east of Menard off what locals call River Road (FM
2092)... |
The
San Saba River at Menard's Stock Pen Crossing Park
TE photo |
Menard, Texas
Area Destinations
Fort
McKavett State Historic Site
Stock Pens
Crossing Park
Spacious park with beautiful river view - just west of town
The San Saba
River Park - 12 acres with deep shade and picnic tables - a stone's
throw from downtown.
The Ditch -
An irrigation ditch first dug in 1756, it still flows through the
Menard's downtown.
Mason
Junction
Menard Tourist Information
Chamber of Commerce: 915-396-2365
website: http://www.menardchamberofcommerce.org
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Menard water tower
TE photo, 2000 |
Mission Drive-In
Theater in Menard
TE photo, 2002 |
Menard
County 1907 postal map showing Menardville
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Menard
County 1920s map showing Menard
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
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Menard, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Menard
Hi, I'm (James) Coe Linn, and I was born in 1937 in Menard and was
raised there. I noted the great photos on your website.
The old drive-in theater was the Mission Drive-In as was
the old theater downtown... the Mission Theater owned and
operated by Henry Reeve. I went to the Saturday matinees at the
downtown theater as a child and then to the drive-in while in junior
high and high school.
The crossing on the San Saba was called the Stock Pen Crossing.
There was a swimming hole just a few yards east of the crossing
that we called "High Banks." We had a very long rope in a big pecan
tree and could swing almost to the other side of the river. Many
happy memories swimming there.
A short distance to the west of the Stock Pen Crossing was the Baptist
Encampment, and open-air revival facility with cabins and camping
facilities.
I really enjoyed your website. Please check out http://www.menardroots.com/.
I graduated in 1954 from Menard High School. The section on MHS
Annuals is a great compilation of many of the High School yearbooks.
Regarding Fort McKavett,
Theodore Roosevelt’s son, Elliot Roosevelt, spent time in the Fort
McKavett area hunting and relaxing in the sunshine. Best wishes.
- Coe Linn, Austin, Texas, June 24, 2004
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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