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KENDALIA,
TEXASKendall
County, Texas Hill Country
FM 473
60 miles SW of Austin
25 miles NE of Boerne
9 miles W of Twin Sisters
38 miles
W of San Marcos
Population est. 76 (2000)
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| Sheep:
Kendalia's 19th Century Economy
TE photo |
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.
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 |
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.
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| Kendalia's
former Old Lawhon Store c. 1895
TE photo |
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Kendalia's
former school is now a library
TE photo |
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 |
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.
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©
John Troesser |
Kendalia,
Texas Forum If
you wish to share your anecdotes and photos of Kendalia's history, please contact
us. | |
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