Bandera, "The COWBOY CAPITAL of The WORLD"
This jewel of the Texas Hill Country was founded by Polish immigrants in the 1830s, and during the course of its early history, cultural contributions were made by not only European immigrants, but Native Americans and Mexicans, as well, creating a unique society that could only have taken place in the future Lone Star State. “Bandera” itself—named for a flag that was displayed early in the town's history—is both the Polish and Spanish word for “flag.”
Toward the latter half of the 19th century, Bandera became known throughout the country as the starting point of the Great Western Cattle Trail. This was the longest cattle drive in the world, and it helped to popularize the Texas Longhorn breed all the way up into Canada. The Great Western Cattle Trail—and the important role Bandera played in it—also established the reputation of the great American Cowboy. Bandera, as the starting point of the Great Western Cattle Trail, also became well-known for sprawling cattle ranches. When the cowboys weren't working the trail, a great many of them called Bandera home—the Cowboy Capital of the World!
With so many cowboys calling Bandera home, it came as no surprise that the area played a pivotal role in the sport of rodeo. With the expansion of railroad lines, the use of barbed-wire fences, and bitterly cold and snowy winters, among other factors, the cowboy-on-horseback cattle drives became obsolete by the turn of the 20th century. However, during this same period of time, performance and competitive rodeos grew in popularity—and many of the greatest rodeo cowboys hailed from the Bandera area. As a matter of fact, there stands a memorial on the Bandera Courthouse lawn celebrating the numerous National Rodeo Champions from Bandera.
Toward the latter half of the 19th century, Bandera became known throughout the country as the starting point of the Great Western Cattle Trail. This was the longest cattle drive in the world, and it helped to popularize the Texas Longhorn breed all the way up into Canada. The Great Western Cattle Trail—and the important role Bandera played in it—also established the reputation of the great American Cowboy. Bandera, as the starting point of the Great Western Cattle Trail, also became well-known for sprawling cattle ranches. When the cowboys weren't working the trail, a great many of them called Bandera home—the Cowboy Capital of the World!
With so many cowboys calling Bandera home, it came as no surprise that the area played a pivotal role in the sport of rodeo. With the expansion of railroad lines, the use of barbed-wire fences, and bitterly cold and snowy winters, among other factors, the cowboy-on-horseback cattle drives became obsolete by the turn of the 20th century. However, during this same period of time, performance and competitive rodeos grew in popularity—and many of the greatest rodeo cowboys hailed from the Bandera area. As a matter of fact, there stands a memorial on the Bandera Courthouse lawn celebrating the numerous National Rodeo Champions from Bandera.
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