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LLANO RETAIL LOCATIONS

Steve's Liquor Store (Steve's Friendly Place!)

• Location: 900 West Young Street, Llano, Texas 78643
• Located At: Across from the Best Western Motel on HWY 29
• Telephone: 915-247-1977
• Map: Steve's Liquor Store Location Map
• Owner: Steve

Steve's friendly Llano Texas liquor store has all the regular liquor store stuff but it's a bit nicer because it has a drive through barn that sells ice, candy, ice tea, soda pop, chips, dips, nuts and all the other food items and snacks that sight-seeing folks, hunters and/or fisherman always want and need, Also, Ole Steve sells some real fun Texas Greeting Cards! "Down hear in Texas a fellow is bound to get mighty thirsty, especially if he's a hunting or fishing. So when you're in Llano and got that big Texas thirst go to Steve's Friendly Liquor Store, pick up a few Texas Greeting Cards and tell Steve howdy from me!" -Says, Caddylak Maxy.

A Little About Llano Texas
"Where the past lives in the heartland of Texas"

• Llano is the unrivaled Deer Capital of Texas!
• The Barbecue Capital of the World!
• The home of Enchanted Rock!
• The center of the beautiful Texas Hill Country!
• Llano County is the home to three World Champion Ropers and five National Rodeo Finals Qualifiers.
  
  
  Llano River Bridge in Llano Texas!

Whether it's the astounding profusion of wildflowers in the spring, the refreshing
waters of the Llano River in the summer, the lure of landing a trophy fish in the fall,
or the abundance of deer in winter, Llano is a great place to spend your next
vacation or weekend getaway relaxing and making memories. A visit to Llano is an historical event. The preservation of the past is a priority in Llano and many of the older buildings have been restored or are in the process of being restored. Llano was founded in 1855 and buildings from the 1800s still remain in this historic town.

Llano's friendly small-town atmosphere offers the ideal change of pace from the chaotic bustle of big city life. For decades the clock on the courthouse square chimes the hours and is unifying in the heartbeat of Llano. There are art galleries, museums, historic buildings, restaurants, antique shops and gift shops including the famous Fort Llano Mercantile. Also, nice Bed & Breakfast Inns for the overnight tourists! You will enjoy the Texas country atmosphere in this relaxing little city. You will also find the people very friendly and fun to visit with. 

Texas Blue Bonnets blooming in Llano is a real Texas treat!

History of Llano, Texas
Llano, the county seat and largest town of Llano County, is on the Llano River and State Highway 71, seventy-five miles northwest of Austin. It was founded in compliance with a February 1, 1856, state legislative act establishing Llano County. Tracts donated by John Oatman, Sr., Amariah Wilson and the Chester B. Starks estate provided a surveyed site of 250 acres for the county seat on both sides of the Llano River near the center of the proposed county. An alternative site, on Wright's Creek, was proposed by the residents of the Bluffton-Tow Valley area. The Llano River location was chosen in an election held on June 14, 1856, under a live oak on the south bank of the river, near the present site of Roy Inks Bridge in Llano. Into the 1870s the town was little more than a frontier trading center, with a handful of log buildings housing business establishments, a post office, and a few homes. In 1879 the first bank, "Moore, Foster, and Company", was founded and during the 1880s Llano acquired a number of new enterprises that served the county's farmers and ranchers. After the county outgrew the one-story stone building that had housed its public offices, in 1885 an ornate brick courthouse was completed on the square on the south side of the river. A fire on January 22, 1892, destroyed this courthouse; the present county courthouse was completed and occupied on August 1, 1893. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

In the 1880s the Llano Rural , the town's first newspaper, was established, followed by the Iron City News , the name of which reflects growing interest in the county's mineral resources. The Rural eventually incorporated several other newspapers, including the Advocate , the Searchlight , and the Gazette , to become the Llano News by the early 1900s.

Anticipation of significant economic growth based on the iron deposits discovered at Iron Mountain in northwestern Llano County attracted capital from Dallas and from northern states, and the boom years of Llano-from 1886 to 1893-were launched. The Llano Improvement and Furnace Company undertook plans for an iron furnace and foundry, as well as for the development of commercial real estate on the hitherto undeveloped north side of the river. Charters were undertaken for a dam, an electric power plant, a streetcar system, and electric street lighting, while expectations of growth were high. Steel-town names such as Birmingham, Pittsburgh, and Bessemer were chosen for streets on the north side; Llano was to be the "Pittsburgh of the West." But only a small dam and the street lighting were completed. By one report, the population reached 7,000 in 1890. In 1892, at the peak of the boom period, the town was incorporated, the river was bridged, and the Austin and Northwestern Railroad was extended to a terminal on the north side of Llano. Because of the improved transportation, several granite cutting and finishing businesses moved to town in this period. Many of the new businesses were begun in the boom period, and substantial brick establishments were constructed around the public square on the north side of the river. Among these, the Algona Hotel became a focal point for the town's new social life. Under the names Franklin and Don Carlos, the hotel changed hands several times; at one point around 1900 it housed the Texas Military Institute. It was damaged by a cyclone in 1900 and burned to the ground in 1923. Because the county's mineral resources, with the significant exception of granite, did not exist in commercially exploitable concentrations, the boom period soon faded. Plans to connect Llano with Fredericksburg via an extension of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway were not fulfilled. A series of fires in the early 1890s, probably set to collect insurance on unprofitable properties, destroyed many of the new business establishments. Such fires were so numerous that fire insurance was denied the town for several years.

Farming, ranching, and the granite industry remained the foundations of the town's economy in the twentieth century. In the 1920s Llano was a major shipping point for cattle; the cotton industry flourished in the county through the 1930s but declined thereafter into insignificance. Granite quarrying and finishing retained their importance, amounting to a million-dollar-a-year industry by the 1950s. The Roy Inks Bridge, named for a former mayor, was built after a flood crest of forty-two feet in 1935 swept away the 1892 structure. By 1964 the town had a new hospital, a post office, school buildings, a community center, a rodeo area, and a golf course, along with a city park and improved water system. Llano was an important link in the Highland Lakes chain of tourist areas and attracted many hunters during the deer season. A winery, feed processing, and insecticide and commercial talc production represented new industry. Actress Sophia Loren, friend and correspondent of Netherlands native Anthony Goossens, priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Llano, contributed to the church fund-raising campaign in 1975. By 1983 the National Register of Historic Places listed, in addition to the courthouse, the Llano jail, the Southern Hotel, and the Badu Building, former bank and home of French immigrant and mineralogist N. J. Badu, now a bed-and-breakfast establishment. The population of Llano was 2,960 in 1950, 3,071 in 1980, and 2,962 in 1990.

Llano County Court House!

Deer Capital of Texas
Llano county is "The Deer Capital of Texas" and the deer hunters pour into the town during November and December of each year. You will see plenty of deer in Llano County. On one trip through Llano County one travelers spotted 140 deer while driving about 30 miles in Llano County.

Old Llano, Texas Historic Jail House!

HUNTING

The Llano Uplift and Llano County have the highest density of white tail deer in the United States. Llano County is the Deer Hunting Capital of Texas. If you don't believe us come opening weekend. Information on deer hunting is available from the tourist information center at the Railyard Antiques at 502 Bessemer, a.k.a Hwy 16, a short distance from the Llano River Bridge in the Historic Railyard District.

FISHING

Fishing is allowed all year long. There is no limit on pan fish. Fishing opportunities are available in the Llano River and at area lakes. The closest place for kids to drop a line in the water is Badu Park on the Llano River or at the end Sheffield Ave. Guides are available that will plan fly fishing expeditions for individual or groups and boats can be rented for use on Lake Buchanan.

WALKING TOUR

An entertaining and education walking tour of 27 historic Llano buildings including the old Llano jail building built in 1895 with a hanging gallows. This is probably the jail John Wayne had reference to in the Movie Rio Bravo when he said I am taking him to the jail in Llano.

Historic Buildings on the square in Downtown Llano, Texas!

BADU PARK & LLANO RIVER PARK

Badu Park is located on the north bank of the Llano River up stream from the bridge at its intersection with Hwy 16. Llano River Park is on the south bank of the Llano River down stream from the bridge. These have access to the river for swimming, fishing, wading, picnicking and limited RV sites. There is also a playscape for the kids.

MUSEUMS

Llano County Historical Museum takes you back a step in time. Llano was once an iron city boom town. The museum feature an extensive exhibit of artifacts both Indian and early Texas, plus a large display of area gems and minerals. 310 Bessemer a.k.a Hwy 16.

Hill County Wildlife Museum allows you to visit Africa or the Arctic Circle. The museum features more than 600 mounted species. 826 Ford St a.k.a. Hwy 16.

WILLOW CITY LOOP

A 13 mile scenic drive of panoramic vistas with hill country wildlife and wildflowers.  Go 22 miles south of town on Hwy. l6 to Eckart. Turn left on to FM 1323. Go 2 miles to Willow City, turn left for loop. You will come back Hwy 16 about 18 miles south of Llano. You can drive this loop either way from Hwy 16.

ENCHANTED ROCK STATE PARK

Go 16 miles south of town on Hwy 16 to RR 965 where you turn right. Follow 965 for about 8 miles to the Park entrance on the right. The rock is the second largest granite formation in North America. It provides great family hiking and picnicking with glorious views.  Some times admission to the park is limited, therefore please call 325-247-3903 to make sure you can get in. They limit admission for protection of the area. When the crowd gets to big they shut off the entrance until people have left.

ROCK HUNTING

Llano is in the center of Llano County which is in the center of the Llano Uplift a geological area with more different mineral than just about any place on the face of the earth, but none in mine able quantities. Information on rock hunting is available from the tourist information center at the Railyard Antiques at 502 Bessemer, a.k.a Hwy 16, a short distance from the Llano River Bridge in the Historic Railyard District.

EAGLE AND OTHER BIRD WATCHING

The location and time for eagle watching varies. Information on eagle watching is available from the tourist information center at the Railyard Antiques at 502 Bessemer, a.k.a Hwy 16, a short distance from the Llano River Bridge in the Historic Railyard District

Birders can enjoy viewing some of 155 species of birds found in the Colorado Bend State Park, including specialties such as golden-cheeked warblers, black-capped vireos, and bald eagles. Gorman Falls is located on the western bank of the Colorado River, approximately 10 miles above Lake Buchanan and includes a portion of Gorman Creek which feeds Gorman Falls. Gorman Falls is an impressive, 60-foot-high waterfall. The falls' travertine formations and associated lush vegetation are very scenic. Small travertine dams have formed quiet pools of clear water which support a variety of aquatic communities. Special mention needs to be made that due to the protection of the fragile environment of the Gorman Falls, the area currently can only be visited through guided tours.

Sources: The Handbook of Texas Online, Llano Chamber of Commerce and the idiots at the Caddylak Graffix greeting card studio.

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Last Update: Friday July 27, 2007 1:10 P.M.

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