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The Texas Hill Country is the pride and joy of Texas.  Anyone who spends time in these rolling granite hills and clear spring-fed waters knows there’s something special here.  The natural beauty is embellished by charming small Texas towns with big personalities.  Hearing some of the rich historical stories of the area is like quenching our thirst on a warm summer day.

The Hill Country region includes parts of at least twenty-five counties in central Texas.   Archaeological evidence suggests this area has been inhabited for over 10,000 years.  Native Americans were attracted to the beauty and abundance of wildlife, but also to the flint-type stone called Edwards chert (black chert is called flint).  Native Americans used this special stone to make tools and arrowheads.

EARLY MISSIONS AND TRAILS

There’s historical reference to a Spanish mission built in the Hill Country near Menard in the 1700s by soldiers and missionaries from San Antonio and Mexico.  Unfortunately, the Apaches burned it down.  Many of the early settlements were lost in struggles between settlers and the Plains Indians. The Pinta Trail, which extended northwest 180 miles from San Antonio to the site of Santa Cruz de San Sabá Mission in Menard, was used as a transportation route. This trail was created by Plains Indians, mostly Apache and Comanche.

John Coffee Hays and a company of Texas Rangers once defeated Yellow Wolf and his Comanche warriors in a battle along the Pinta Trail, which was used as a primary route through the Hill Country until the railroad was built near the turn of the 20^th century.  Several highways still parallel the old trail.

GERMAN IMMIGRANTS

Germans began populating the Texas Hill Country in the early 1800s and for many years were the largest ethnic group in the area.  A professional gardener from northwestern Germany, Johann Ernst, received a land grant of 4000 acres from Stephen F. Austin’s colony in Texas in the 1830s.  Ernst began writing “American Letters” embellishing the attributes of the Hill Country to influence prospective migrants in Germany.  Ernst wrote of a paradise in Texas with a winterless climate like that of Sicily. He told Germans about abundant game and fish available, and the fertile Texas Hill Country land for sale for only a surveyor’s fee and no taxes.  Many northwest Germans migrated here due to these persuasive letters.  Little did they know that they’d have to fight Indians instead of a repressive government for land.

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS

Native Americans lived in the Hill Country for centuries, the Spanish created missions and searched for silver, and the Germans came to establish ranches and farms.  Many other settlers with pioneer spirits arrived from the southeastern United States and central Europe looking for bountiful land and a fresh start.  They found it in the Texas Hill Country.

A few of the area’s famous residents include Adm. Chester Nimitz, U.S. Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during WWII.  Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36^th U.S. President, was born on a ranch on the Perdernales River near Johnson City. Capt. Charles Schreiner immigrated to Texas in the early 1800s.  He became a Texas Ranger, served in the Confederacy (most of the area supported the Union), developed banking, ranching and mercantile interests and at one time helped Kerrville become the “mohair center of the world.”

MUSEUMS OF LOCAL HISTORY

Much of the Hill Country’s early history and stories are documented in the history museums found in Fredericksburg.  You can see historic structures, objects, narratives, maps and photos, among other things.  The Admiral Nimitz Museum is in the old Nimitz Hotel.  The nearby National Museum of the Pacific War is dedicated to documenting the complete story of WWII in the Pacific.  This museum has living history re-enactments and many quality, detailed exhibits.  The Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg has a small 19^th century German settlement furnished as it would have been for early settlers.  Lyndon B. Johnson’s various homes and furnishings are in Johnson City and also open for tours.

BELVEDERE

Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road appreciates the rich, colorful history of the Texas Hill Country.   Belvedere is a community of custom homes on 443 acres that includes an 80-acre nature preserve.  This gated, upscale community offers a state of belonging and cheerful well-being.  Visit us on Belvedere’s website, or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

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Texas Bluebonnets

In late March or April we see millions of our state flower popping up their glorious bonnie-blue heads in pastures, roadsides, and even ditches throughout the Texas Hill Country.  This, my friends, is our Texas harbinger of spring.  And, most of us want to get up close and personal with bluebonnets and other Texas wildflowers to really appreciate and share in their showy, multihued splendor.  So, we take a road trip.

THE BUFFALO, WOLF AND RABBIT

Near the end of March through late May, the queens of the Texas wildflowers emerge.  The bluebonnet, genus Lupinas, is also known as buffalo clover, wolf flower and by its Mexican name of el conejo (the rabbit).  But bluebonnets are only Act 1.  Shortly after they herald springtime’s arrival, reddish orange spikes of Indian paintbrushes and colorful red and yellow Indian blankets or fire wheels appear, along with soft pink evening primroses, deep gold coreopsis and rich, reddish-purple wine cups.  And, we’ve only just begun listing the spring wildflowers we adore.

And, in case you’re wondering, it’s not illegal to pick bluebonnets or other wildflowers.  It is, however, illegal to trespass on private land.  And, it’s good wildflower etiquette to be gentle with the flowers as we carefully squat in the brilliant clusters for our prized family photos and Easter pictures.  We’re reminded that bluebonnets and other wildflowers are annuals that must go to seed to re-bloom next spring.

THE TEXAS WILDFLOWER HOTLINE

So, how do Texans keep up with the flower blooms and know when to plan their annual treks?  Texas has a wildflower hotline with recordings of locations and bloom information for the magnificent wildflowers viewed by thousands of visitors wanting to witness this display of nature firsthand.  The TXDOT Wildflower Hotline is 800-452-9292.   It’s also notable that the TXDOT spreads more than 33,000 pounds of dozens of varieties of wildflower seeds along Texas highways each year.  Thank you Lady Bird!

LADY BIRD AND HER FLOWERS

Lady Bird Johnson’s quest to populate Texas with more wildflowers began in the Texas Hill Country.   As the wife of the 36^th President, she worked on a state and national level to beautify Texas roads and conserve and preserve the natural landscapes that exist.  She also founded the Lady Bird Wildflower Center in Austin in the early 1980s, though it was originally the National Wildflower Research Center.

Johnson City claims to be the wildflower capital of the Hill Country.  And, they walk their talk by having an annual month-long Wildflower Days festival in April – just after the Texas State Men’s Chili Cook-off and BBQ Championship (also free to the public).  Last year there was a town-wide wildflower decorating contest as well.

THE BEST BLUEBONNET & WILDFLOWER CLAIMS

The self-guided Hill Country Wildflower Loop maps are available at many businesses in Johnson City as well as at the Chamber / Visitor’s Center.  This popular loop involves roads winding through the towns of Johnson City, Blanco, Stonewall, Luckenbach, Willow City, and Round Mountain to name a few.  We’ve heard the Willow City Loop, a subpart of the map near Fredericksburg, is often touted by local residents as the best of the best.  The area around Willow City is geologically very old and has breathtaking rugged beauty, especially when accessorized by colorful swaths of living color.

Several other Hill Country towns claim to be the wildflower or bluebonnet capitals of Texas and many have scenic drives to offer as well.  We say try them all!  The Highland Lakes’ Bluebonnet Trail includes Burnet, Llano, Lampasas, Kingsland and Marble Falls.  Burnet has a bluebonnet festival, too.  Another popular drive is outside of Kerrville on Texas Highway 16 toward Medina.  But, part of the serendipity of the wildflower quest trying to discover where that perfect patch of flowers will be found.

WILDFLOWER FARM

Just east of Fredericksburg is the Wildseed Wildflower Farm, featuring 200 acres of wildflowers in various stages of growth.  They have walking trails, butterfly gardens, pick-your-own bouquets, and many local products for sale, including wildflowers. They also have a Biergarten with wine tastings and light food.  There’s no charge to walk around and admire or photograph the flowers.  Wildseed is open year-round, though April is the month most of the fields are in full blooming splendor.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY LAND

If while driving the scenic back roads and viewing the beautiful wildflowers you decide to search for Texas Hill Country land for sale, you might want to check out Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road.  Belvedere is a community of custom homes on 1-3–acre sites with sweeping vistas of the Hill Country around Austin.  It includes an 80-acre nature preserve. This gated, upscale community offers a state of belonging and cheerful well-being.

BELVEDERE

Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road is surrounded by gorgeous wildflowers every spring and summer. Belvedere is a community of custom homes on 1-3–acre sites featuring an 80-acre nature preserve, fishing pond, and lazy river pool.  This gated, upscale community offers a state of belonging and cheerful well-being.  Visit Belvedere’s website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest!