TexasEscapes.com HOME Welcome to Texas Escapes
A magazine written by Texas
Custom Search
New   |   Texas Towns   |   Ghost Towns   |   Counties   |   Trips   |   Features   |   Columns   |   Architecture   |   Images   |   Archives   |   Site Map

Bandera County TX
Bandera County




Counties
Texas Counties


Texas Towns
A - Z

 

MEDINA, TEXAS

Apple Capital of Texas

Bandera County, Texas Hill Country

29° 47' 48" N, 99° 14' 47" W (29.796667, -99.246389)

Texas Hwy 16 and FM 337
12 miles NW of Bandera the county seat
54 miles NW of San Antonio
21 miles S of Kerrville
ZIP code 78055
Population: 515 Est. (2000)

Book Hotel Here › San Antonio Hotels


Medina TX - Circle "R" Guest Ranch
Circle "R" Guest Ranch, Medina, Texas
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/

History in a Pecan Shell

In 1865 it was reported that a cluster of families had settled around a sawmill here. The community was granted a post office in 1880.

In the 1890s, Medina had grown to include most essential businesses as well as a hotel, a (private) bank and three stores to serve 150 residents.

In 1914 Medina had grown to 400 residents but fell by 150 as the Great Depression settled in. After WWII it enjoyed a replenished population, bring it back to 475.

Livestock raising remained the primary economic engine. Apple cultivation was introduced in the 1980s and before the end of the decade, Medina had been declared the official Apple Capital of Texas (Texas Agricultural Commission).

In 1990 the immediate vicinity around Medina produced 100 tons of apples.

The 1990 census reported just over 500 residents, although people are scattered. The estimate of people residing in Medina proper is said to be closer to 250.

Medina Area Scenic Drive

From "Swimming to Mexico" - Part III:

"Leaving Kerrville on Hwy 16 you encounter a rise in elevation until you descend into the Medina River Valley. The small town of Medina is near the headwaters of the Medina River which flows past Bandera and into Medina Lake in Medina County. At Medina head west on 337. The east-and-west route of FM337 is a scenic route not to be missed. It would be best if you had the sun behind you. Take this road in the early morning if you can. If not, strong sunglasses would be in order especially in the late afternoon to navigate the uphill and downhill curves of the road on steep slopes overlooking cloistered valleys. While on-coming traffic is sparse, you’ll probably encounter it on a curve. An abundance of Texas mountain laurel would make this a trip to take again in the spring when they bloom in profusion."
Related Story:

  • Pansy by Mike Cox ("Texas Tales" column)

  • Pansy Carpenter Grave Medina TX Oak Rest Cemetery
    The grave of Pansy Carpenter at the Oak Rest Cemetery in Medina, TX.
    Photo cortesy Terry Jeanson, February 27, 2009


    Bandera County TX 1920s Map
    Bandera County 1920s Map showing Medina
    (NW of Bandera)
    From Texas state map #10749
    Courtesy Texas General Land Office

    Take a road trip

    Texas Hill Country

    Medina, Texas Nearby Cities & Towns:
    Bandera the county seat
    Boerne | Kerrville | Vanderpool | Leakey
    San Antonio

    Scenic FM337
    See Bandera County

    Book Hotel Here:
    San Antonio Hotels | More Hotels
    Texas 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.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


    Texas Escapes Online Magazine »   Archive Issues » Home »
    TEXAS TOWNS & COUNTIES TEXAS LANDMARKS & IMAGES TEXAS HISTORY & CULTURE TEXAS OUTDOORS MORE
    Texas Counties
    Texas Towns A-Z
    Texas Ghost Towns

    TEXAS REGIONS:
    Central Texas North
    Central Texas South
    Texas Gulf Coast
    Texas Panhandle
    Texas Hill Country
    East Texas
    South Texas
    West Texas

    Courthouses
    Jails
    Churches
    Schoolhouses
    Bridges
    Theaters
    Depots
    Rooms with a Past
    Monuments
    Statues

    Gas Stations
    Post Offices
    Museums
    Water Towers
    Grain Elevators
    Cotton Gins
    Lodges
    Stores
    Banks

    Vintage Photos
    Historic Trees
    Cemeteries
    Old Neon
    Ghost Signs
    Signs
    Murals
    Gargoyles
    Pitted Dates
    Cornerstones
    Then & Now

    Columns: History/Opinion
    Texas History
    Small Town Sagas
    Black History
    WWII
    Texas Centennial
    Ghosts
    People
    Animals
    Food
    Music
    Art

    Books
    Cotton
    Texas Railroads

    Texas Trips
    Texas Drives
    Texas State Parks
    Texas Rivers
    Texas Lakes
    Texas Forts
    Texas Trails
    Texas Maps
    USA
    MEXICO
    HOTELS

    Site Map
    About Us
    Privacy Statement
    Disclaimer
    Contributors
    Staff
    Contact Us

     
    Website Content Copyright Texas Escapes LLC. All Rights Reserved