Cofran's Texas . . .
Hill Country Portal

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CITY: Not incorporated

CHAMBER, TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Nothing formal

NEIGHBORING TOWNS: 16 mi SE of Alamo Springs; 12 mi N of Boerne; 13 mi E of Comfort; 13 mi W of Kendalia, 18 mi S of Luckenbach

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS: Ranching, winery, tourism

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: See full details in Directory below.

• Sister Creek Vineyards & Winery: 830-324-6704; sistercreekvineyards.com
• Sisterdale Dance Hall & Event Center: 210-508-0344; sisterdaledancehall.net

[Ed note: The winery has been the main attraction in Sisterdale, but the renovated dance hall and other quaint places detailed below make it a very worthy stop. When moisture is prevalent, the magnificently emerald green pasture to the East of town, visible from several of the businesses, is absolutely gorgeous.

NEARBY & HILL COUNTRY-WIDE ATTRACTIONS: See Attractions.
Some of the very nearby attractions include:

• Bergheim: Serengeti Resort; Bergheim Historic General Store & Post Office
• Blanco: Historic Town Square & Courthouse; Real Ale Brewing Co
• Comfort: Comfort Historic District; Shopping; Vineyards; Golf; Monument; Bat Roost; Comfort Museum
• Kendalia: Historic Kendalia Halle Dance Hall
• Luckenbach: Luckenbach Dance Hall & General Store

PARKS: There are state, county parks in the greater area as profiled on the Parks page. These nearby parks include:

• Blanco: Blanco State Park
• Fredericksburg: Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site & National Museum Of The Pacific War; Enchanted Rock State Natural Area; Lady Bird Municipal Park
• Spring Branch: Gaudalupe River State Park; Honey Creek State Natural Area
• Stonewall: LBJ State & National Historical Parks

Local city parks include: None

EVENT CALENDARS: Festivals & Major Events; Local Activities & Fun Things To Do; Farmer & Flea Market Days; Specialty & Seasonal Market Days; Art & Galleries; Quilting & Fiber Arts; Car Shows; Motorcycling Events; Beer & Brewing; Wine; Pet Events

WEATHER: Local Weather; Hill Country-wide Weather

MEDIA COVERAGE:

• On-Line News:
• Newspapers, Radio/TV, Articles & Videos:

MAPS: Local Google; Hill Country Special Maps

HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online: " founded in 1847 by Nicolaus Zink, a German freethinker who surveyed New Braunfels for Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels. This community in the idyllic valley of Sister Creek became one of the famous "Latin Settlements" as Zink was joined over the next two years by Forty-Eighters fleeing after the aborted 1848 revolution in Europe. The leader of these farmers was Ernst Kapp, and the circle included Ottomar von Behr, C. D. Adolph Douai, August Siemering, Julius Dresel, Dr. Julius Froebel, Gustav Theissen, and the Baron von Westphal (a brother-in-law of Karl Marx). John R. Bartlett, Frederick Law Olmsted, and Duke Paul of Wurttemberg visited Sisterdale and recorded their observations. Sisterdale opened a post office in 1851. The community was one of the centers of German abolitionism and Unionism before and during the Civil War. After the conflict it became a quiet Hill Country hamlet of farmers, with a population estimated at 150 in 1884. At that time the town had a shingle mill, a cotton gin, and a grocery store. Its population fell to twenty-five in 1914 but rose to fifty around 1925. In 1968 the estimate was sixty-three. The community supported two businesses between 1931 and 1980, when the number rose to four. In the mid-1980s local sources estimated the population at just under 100. In 1990 it was reported as sixty. The population was sixty-three in 2000."

See Biesele's The History Of the German Settlements in Texas, 1831-1861

Also see: sistercreekvineyards.com/history.html

PRIOR CITY NAMES:

HISTORICAL MARKERS: Sisterdale Valley Historic District (1975)

CEMETERIES: Sisterdale: (Sisterdale Rd, RR-1376 near RR-473, at N end of town); Wenzel-Menchaca Family Cemetery: 1818 Sisterdale Rd

AVAILABLE SERVICES: Gas: no; Convenience Stores: no; Restaurants: trolley cafe; Lodging: yes; Grocery Stores: yes, small; Banks: no; Vehicle Repair: no; Hospital: no; Med Clinic: no; Post Office: no; Public Schools: no; Cemetery: yes

OTHER PROFILES: City Data (not available); Texas Escapes; Wikipedia

NOTES:

FM-1376 and Sisterdale Hwy are the same road.

Residential Subdivisions: Platten Creek

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BUSINESS & ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY




(HISTORIC) SISTERDALE DANCEHALL & EVENT CENTER: 210-508-0344; 1210 Sisterdale Rd, Sisterdale, TX 78006. sisterdaledancehall.net. The Dancehall was built between 1884 and 1890. Famous artists performed at the Sisterdale Dancehall over the years. Dancehall has been a movie location, and it hosted George Strait in a Bud Light commercial. Brooks and Dunn used this Dancehall while filming their classic hit song, "Red Dirt Road". Now also a Wedding and special event facility. Live dance bands many Sat nights and some Fri nights.




PANIOLO RANCH B&B SPA: See listing in Lodging below.

EMERGENCIES
(Police, Fire, EMS/Medical)
Dial 911

CRIME STOPPERS-REPORT ANONYMOUSLY:
1-800-222-8477; or click: Stoppers

SISTERDALE VFD:
FM-1376, Sisterdale, TX 78006





LOCAL CITY GOVERNMENT: Unincorporated

LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT: See: Kendall County Government Offices

STATE & FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: For offices that represent the Hill Country,
see: Texas & Federal Government Offices

Note: Nearest US postal services are in Kendalia, Boerne and Waring

CRISIS HOTLINES: click Hotlines-Emergencies

DAY & SEASON HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES:

See full list of leases for this town at: Hunting & Fishing




PANIOLO RANCH B&B SPA: 866-726-4656; 1510 FM 473, Boerne, TX 78006. panioloranch.com

ROCK HARBOR HILL COUNTRY LODGE: 830-388-0233; 106 Marquardt Rd, Sisterdale, TX 78006. homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p299935.com

SISTERDALE GUESTHOUSE: 830-431-0050; 1209 FM-1376, Sisterdale, TX 78006






BOERNERS BLOODHOUNDS: 210-380-2276; 149 Bloodhound Trail, Sisterdale, TX 78006. boernersbloodhounds.com. David and Nancy Boerner, breeders

HILL COUNTRY TRAIL RIDES: 830-644-8292; 645 Upper Sisterdale Rd, Boerne, TX 78006. chancecutting.com

MARLOWE CANDLE COMPANY: 830-324-6895; 1203 FM-1376, Sisterdale, TX 78006. Hand poured, highly scented candles. marlowecandlecompany.com

SISTERDALE COMMUNITY CENTER: 2 Sisterdale-Lindendale Rd, Sisterdale, TX 78006

(The) SISTERDALE GENERAL STORE: 830-998-8031; 1143 Sisterdale Rd (FM-1376), Sisterdale, TX 78006. sisterdalegeneralstore.com, Facebook. Groceries, ranch supplies, kayak rental/shuttle, fishing trips, guitar lessons

SISTERCREEK RANCH: 830-324-6525; 1818 FM-1376, Boerne TX 78006 (but located 6 mi N of Sisterdale). sistercreekranch.com. Onrs of this 700-acre working ranch have tailored it to be a perfect spot for horse Onrs to enjoy themselves to the fullest. No horse rentals, you must bring your own horses. Full and pasture boarding. Upscale guest houses, saloon, barn, arena, round pen, and lots of horse riding trails, hiking, catch and release fishing, and great spots for cooling off in the creeks. Available for corporate retreats, meetings, weddings and private parties. Spa services. Tennessee Walker trail horses for sale. All trailers and rv's must be gray and black water self-contained. No drop-ins, ranch is gated and requires security code.

SISTERDALE TRADING COMPANY & BOUTIQUE: 830-324-6774; 1209 FM-1376, Sisterdale, TX 78006. Owned and operated by Margaret & Spencer Thompson. An interesting shop for Hill Country books, shirts, art, jewelry, furniture and neat Texana gifts made by Hill Country artisans. A must see in Sisterdale. Wed-Sun 10-5.




BLACK BOARD BAR B Q: 830-324-6858; 1123 Sisterdale Rd, Sisterdale, TX 78006. Facebook

MAYWALD'S SISTERDALE SMOKEHOUSE: 830-324-6858; 1123 Sisterdale Rd (FM-1376), Sisterdale, TX 78006. sisterdalesmokehouse.com

SISTERDALE LINE (formerly SISTERDALE SALOON): 830-324-6833; 1211 Sisterdale Rd, Sisterdale, TX 78006. Popular motorcycling stop. Live entertainment with outdoor venue and fire pit. Saloon open 7 days/wk. Facebook

CALL or e-Locate BEFORE YOU DIG!
Free Texas 811 Locator
1-800-344-8377
www.texas811.org

HILL COUNTRY-WIDE UTILITY PROVIDERS:

For Hill Country area utility service providers (electric, gas, water, sewer, trash),
telecom providers (land lines, cellular service, TV, internet), and related services (package delivery, newspaper, etc.), click: Utilities & Telecom




SISTER CREEK VINEYARDS: 830-324-6704; 1142 Sisterdale Rd, Sisterdale, TX 78006. sistercreekvineyards.com. Vindeyards, wine, tasting room, club. Award winning, barrel-aged, European-style wines made in an 1885 cotton gin. 12 mi N of Boerne on scenic FM-1376.

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