| |
| Camp
Verde Creek
TE
photo |
History
in a Pecan Shell
The post was opened in 1855 on the banks
of the scenic Verde Creek. It is most famous for the experiment with camels
that was the brainchild of U. S. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. It wasn't
a bad idea considering the climate and terrain of the San Antonio to El Paso road.
In fact, it would've succeeded, had it not been for one unforeseen factor - other
animals panicked when they smelled the scent of the camels.
One of the
few relics of this period is on display in the Frontier Museum in Bandera
- a pillow stuffed with camel hair. A pair of socks knitted from camel hair was
sent to then President Franklin Pierce. We regret we have no information
on his response. |
| The
Camp Verde General Store and Post Office
TE photo |
The general store
opened in 1857 and served the soldiers of the Camp. The store's owner was mostly
only open the few days immediately following payday. The post office opened in
1887 - long after the war.
Today
the store is picturesque in it's solitude, but has lost some of its quiet dignity
with all the signs and banners. There's a nice roadside park facing the
store on Verde Creek. |
| The
Camp Verde General Store Today
TE photo |
The camp was captured
by Confederate forces in February of 1861. They inherited the camels
and a few Egyptian handlers and put them to work hauling cotton to Mexico to trade
to the British for much needed supplies. The camels multiplied and reportedly
were sold to a circus. Actually, they were dispersed to many circuses, a few zoos,
and two men from Bastrop County even employed them in a another failed venture
to haul mail to Mexico City.
Nearby was a canyon that was used as a
makeshift Prisoner of War Camp for nearly 600 Union prisoners in the early
part of the war. The post was totally abandoned in 1869, although a Company
of Texas Rangers used the remains of the fort as a campground for some
time.
Camp Verde was also the post for the Confederates responsible for
the lynching of 8 men near the Camp in 1862. (See Bandera
Tragedy Tree) |
| Bandera
Pass Marker
TE
Photo |
Continuing South on
Highway 173 will bring you to an obvious gap in the hills - and a granite
marker from 1936 - telling the history and significance of Bandera Pass.
This is also the dividing point of Bandera and Kerr Counties.
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