General History and Flow of the Founding of Johnson City

The Site of the Johnson Ranch on Town Creek, the site of present day Johnson City, was at a very old crossroads.

A north-south route from Blanco to the Colorado River was known as early as Spanish Times. Miranda in 1579 passed this way crossing the Pedernales in the vicinity of Johnson City on his way to inspect the supposed Silver deposits near Llano.

McCarty Spring just four miles to the northwest of town was a favored way station for travelers between Austin and Fredericksburg. Andrew Jackson Johnson, an older brother to Tom and Sam Johnson, located his home near this spring in 1858 or 1859.

Topography and the conditions of early day travel by horse or horse and wagon had long established this section of the Pedernales Valley as a natural stopping place and cross-roads.

However, none of the early sites grew into a lasting settlement other than as Ranch stations.

When Lyndon B. Johnson's Grandfather, Sam Ealy Johnson, Sr., gave up his cattle-driving business (driving cattle up the Chisholm Trail had become unprofitable), he and his brother, Tom Johnson, sold out their interests to a nephew, James Polk Johnson.

The nearest post office, mill and general store were located fourteen miles south in Blanco/Pittsburg. There were still renegade Indians roaming the area as well, so travel over any distance was viewed with great apprehension. For that reason, settlers in the north end of Blanco County began to plan for a city in the northern area.

In 1879, a barbecue was held at the springs on Town Creek located on the Johnson Ranch. At this meeting three sites for a town were offered, and the one accepted by vote of the settlers was a 320 acre plot of land on the Pedernales River offered by James Polk Johnson. After the decision, his many friends took him up on their shoulders and cheered him for his victory and for the decision by the residents to name the new town after him.

James Polk made the transition from rancher to businessman very successfully. It was the organizational ability of James Polk Johnson that converted a natural way station to a settled community and a county seat. James Polk's Grist Mill was a steam-powered cotton gin and gristmill on Town Creek. Principal crops in this area were corn and cotton. In the early 1940's the gin was purchased by George Crofts and converted to a milling and grain operation, which flourished until the late 1970's.

By the time of his premature death at age 40 in 1885, James Polk had built the first gristmill, the Pearl Hotel and had under construction the building (now the Johnson City Bank) that was to be a general merchandise store. This building came to have the first jail in its basement, and served as the first Johnson City courthouse. The first church congregation (Methodist) met in an upstairs room of this building until their church building was constructed, and later Lyndon B. Johnson had his local offices in this building constructed by his second cousin.

Blanco County was created on February 11, 1858, from Burnet, Comal, Gillespie and Hays Counties. In establishing the county the legislature mandated that the "county set thereof shall also be called Blanco and should be within five miles of the center of the county." Judge William E. Jones of Curry's Creek was appointed by the legislature to organize the county.

Following the formation of Kendall County in 1862 from portions of Blanco and Kerr Counties with the subsequent loss of territory and population on the south, pressure grew to move the seat of government. This was the major factor in the relocation of the county seat to Johnson City in 1890. The boundary line changes had positioned Johnson City within two miles of the center of the county.

Please visit www.JohnsonCity-Texas.com for additional information and an events calendar.



General History and Flow of the Town of Blanco

Life paces itself slower in small towns. In Blanco, for instance, old-timers gather regularly at the Blanco Bowling Club and Café to exchange opinions over a cup of coffee, and on the square, residents pause to chat at the post office after retrieving the morning's mail. The Blanco River, which meanders through the southern edge of this Hill Country town, provides not only the community's drinking water, but also its most popular tourist attraction. The river is the focal point of Blanco State Park , one of the state's smaller parks and most picturesque. It is one of only a few state parks with camping facilities located within a city, making supplies and small town amenities readily available.

Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Blanco State Park is especially popular with overnight campers from Austin , San Antonio and Houston looking to escape big city stress and rush hour traffic (Blanco boasts one red light!). Many come simply to enjoy quite evenings with family or friends around a campfire. Others climb out of the river and strip off their swimsuits long enough to sleep.

Visitors planning to explore the Hill Country also like Blanco's central location. A number of interesting places located within a 40 mile radius of Blanco include Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock State Natural area, Lyndon B. Johnson National and State Historical Parks, Boerne, Gruene, Johnson City, Canyon Lake and Pedernales State Park. Within Blanco State Park , the river with its blue-green water is the star attraction. Two flood control dams, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, create favorite swimming and wading areas. A large concrete picnic table beneath a canopy of pecan trees and an open-air pavilion, both overlooking the river and built by the CCC, are used for family gatherings. Children may take their pick of two playgrounds near the campgrounds.

The park's campgrounds, located just uphill from the river, offer either full RV hookups or water/electricity only. There are many screened shelters, with electricity and a picnic table inside, overlook the river. Contact park headquarters for reservations, especially for summer weekends when campsites and shelters are booked solid.

In December and January, the Parks and Wildlife Department stocks the river with rainbow trout. The fish are released twice each month, and the dates are announced publicly beforehand. Fishermen must have a valid Texas fishing license and fresh water trout stamp. The daily limit is five fish per person. During trout season, people sometimes line the river banks elbow to elbow armed with their poles, a nearby can of corn and a bucket for their catches. Though the annual trout drop attracts the most attention, year-round fishing on the Blanco can hook bass, catfish and perch.

Nature lovers will enjoy watching the antics of resident ground squirrels in the campgrounds. With tails pointed high, the tiny rodents dart from hole to hole and often pause to stare curiously at nearby campers. More than 130 species of birds have also been sited in the park in recent years, including canyon wrens, ladder-back woodpeckers, eastern phoebes, blue grosbeaks, green-backed herons and white-eyed vireos. Along the river banks, several flocks of geese and Muscovy ducks rule the park's roost and waddle up to anyone in hope of a free handout.

For a closer look at small town life, bring a bike and cycle through Blanco. From either end of the park, bicyclers have easy access to city streets. For hikers and walkers, the town's historic square is a minute jaunt from the campgrounds. There park guests can browse through a variety of antique and gift shops.

Blanco's majestic centerpiece on the square is the old Blanco County courthouse built in 1885. The courthouse served the county for only four years before the seat was moved to Johnson City in 1890 after a controversial election. Following its abandonment by the county government, the building housed a number of entities over the years, including a hospital, bank, school, museum, restaurant and newspaper offices. A local preservation society purchased and restored the courthouse, which serves as a visitor's center and community hall.

Visit www.BlancoChamber.com for additional information.