Cofran's Texas . . .
Hill Country Portal

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CITY: Unincorporated

CHAMBER, TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

• Texas Hill Country River Region (THCRR): See details at Uvalde

NEIGHBORING TOWNS: 24 mi E of Concan, 24 mi SE of Leakey, 16 mi E of Rio Frio, 23 mi N of Sabinal, 19 mi W of Tarpley, 11 mi S of Vanderpool, 1 mi N of Waresville

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS: Tourism, hunting, ranching, nearby state park

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: See full details in Directory below.

• River Oaks Golf Course Of Utopia
• Sabinal Canyon Museum: Exhibits pioneer farm implements and household items, Indian artifacts, geological exhibits, including fossils and minerals from the Sabinal River Canyon. World War II exhibit.

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

• Bandera: Cowboy Capital; Dude Ranches; Frontier Times Museum; Golf; Polly's Chapel
• Concan: Frio Bat Cave; Frio River Recreation
• Medina: Apple Capital
• Rio Frio: Ancient Live Oak Reference Landmark; Frio River Water Recreation
• Vanderpool: Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, Park

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

• Concan: Garner State Park
• Vanderpool: Lost Maples State Natural Area

Local city parks include: Utopia Community Park: 830-966-3643; FM-1050 W, 241 Utopia Park Road. utopiapark.org, Facebook. Dam on Sabinal River. Day use fee $5. Rentals. Annual events (Rodeo, 4th Celebration, Horse Club), Established 1929. Susan Sinclair, Manager

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: Google News
• Newspapers, Radio/TV, Articles:

MAPS: Local Google; Hill Country Special Maps

HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online: "Archeologists have found evidence of Paleo-Indians in the canyon. Spanish explorers made several excursions into the area to take careful inventory of tribes, to note the flora and fauna of the area, and to name the rivers, mountains, and streams. They called the Sabinal River Arroyo de la Soledad. In 1790 Juan de Ugalde united Comanches, Taovayas, and Tawakonis and led a decisive victory over the Apaches at the site of future Utopia. The Spaniards also found silver and dug a shaft on the east side of Sugarloaf Mountain, five miles south of Utopia. This mine was seen by John C. Duval in 1836. On June 10, 1839, a party under John C. (Jack) Hays and Juan N. Seguin pursued a band of Comanches into Sabinal Canyon, where they destroyed newly deserted villages. Hays encountered the Comanches again on June 24, 1841, when eight Comanches were killed and two taken prisoner. Capt. William Ware, a soldier in the Texas Revolution, moved to the canyon with his son and six slaves in 1852, thus fulfilling a resolution he had made in 1835, when he first saw the place. With 600 head of cattle and two ox-drawn wagons full of seeds, fruit trees, food, and tools, they had to move large boulders to get the wagons through the pass into the canyon. Gideon Thompson, Aaron Anglin, John and James Davenport, Lee Sanders, Henry Robinson, and Chris Kelley soon arrived. More settlers arrived in 1853, and by 1856, a store-post office was built by Charles Durbon, who became the first postmaster of Waresville. In 1856 Victor P. Considerant purchased 47,000 acres of land in the canyon from the Canon de Ugalde Land Company. This purchase was financed by the European and American Colonization Society. Considerant's plan to establish a Fourierist phalanx in the canyon did not materialize because the failure of La Reunion, near Dallas, had made potential colonists too wary.

Settlers had friendly contact with Tonkawa Indians who had come to plant crops for their people, who were due to come later. The Kickapoos raided many times during the early years. Lipan Apaches captured Frank Buckelew in 1866 and held him captive for eleven months. They also raided Mr. Kincheloe's home that same year while he was away. His wife, Sarah, Captain Ware's daughter, was lanced seventeen times, and Mrs. Ann Bowlin was killed. Warfare continued until 1876. Kincheloe moved his family to land a mile north of Waresville, where he built a two-story home in 1873, marked off and sold lots, and donated land for churches, a park, and a school. In 1884 a survey for the town of Montana was filed in Uvalde County, and the post office was moved from Waresville to Montana. When they learned that another place in Texas was named Montana, residents renamed the place Utopia. By 1880 a stage stopped weekly at the community, where 150 citizens supported two gristmills, a cotton gin, a blacksmith shop, a store, and three churches.

Methodist services were first held in Waresville by Andrew Jackson Potter in 1854. The Church of Christ was established in 1859; John C. Ware and his sister Eliza Finley were the first two to be baptized. A Christian church also moved to the canyon. Andrew Jackson Sowell, his wife, Mary Lillian, and ten other charter members established the Utopia Missionary Baptist Church in 1886. A man named Barker taught the first three school terms in the Methodist church. In 1880 a schoolhouse was built; this structure was torn down in 1906, and a two-story building took its place. This building was burned in 1926; the present structure, built in 1927, has had several additions.

By 1904 the population of Utopia was 147. The town had telephone service by 1914. Annual rodeos have brought thousands of people since 1929. By 1946 the town had seven businesses, three churches, a post office, and a population of 150. In 1952, when Utopia celebrated the centennial of Ware's arrival, Governor Allan Shivers spoke to a crowd of 3,000 people in the park. On June 19 and 20, 1952, 9,000 people came to celebrate. In 1956 the Sabinal River was dammed to impound a small municipal lake. Many residents moved away in the drought-plagued 1950s. The population reached a low of sixty in the early 1960s, but by 1965 prosperity had returned. Ranches leased land to hunters, beef prices rose, and the population grew. A cedar mill was constructed, the Memorial Library was established, civic clubs flourished, the town started a museum, and real estate establishments came into being. The Utopia Spring Water plant was chartered in March 1984. Tourism flourished after Lost Maples State Natural Area officially opened in September 1979. In 1990 the population of Utopia was 360. The population was 241 in 2000."

The Lost Maples Cafe was the site of filming for a movie called "Seven Days in Utopia", starring Robert Duvall.

Book: "Welcome to Utopia: Notes from a Small Town", by Karen Valby, 2010

PRIOR CITY NAMES: Montana

HISTORICAL MARKERS: See Texas Historical Commission's Historic Sites Atlas: atlas.thc.state.tx.us. Includes interactive map plus detailed descriptions of historical markers, cemeteries, museums, all searchable by county.

CEMETERIES: See THC Historic Sites Atlas above.

• Jones Cemetery: Located NW of town on Jones Cemetery Rd. Donated by a Methodist preacher’s family
• Waresville Cemetery: RR-187, S of downtown

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

PORTAL WEB CAM GALLERY: Utopia-1; Utopia-2

OTHER PROFILES: City Data; Texas Escapes; Wikipedia

Back To >> TOP OF PAGE & MAIN INDEX

BUSINESS & ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY




MAIN STREET UTOPIA: 830-966-5544; 282 Main St, Utopia, TX 78884. Antiques, collectibles, gifts, books, jewelry, accessories




UTOPIA ARTS & CRAFT GUILD: Utopia, TX 78884. Meets the 2nd Tue, Sep-May, at the Utopia Community Building. Short business meeting followed by a workshop.




CANYON SERVICES: 830-966-4516; Utopia, TX 78884

LDT CUSTOMS MOTORCYCLES, 830-966-5167; Utopia, TX 78884. Custom Built

MOTORS & MORE: 830-966-6282; Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA TIRE SERVICE: 830-966-2333; Utopia, TX 78884




FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: 830-966-5193; 830-966-3400; 200 Cypress St, Utopia, TX 78884. umc.org

GOSPEL TABERNACLE: 830-966-2440; Jackson & Main St, Utopia, TX 78884

LIVING WATERS CHURCH: 830-966-2426 or 966-2426; FM-1050, Utopia, TX 78884. awaterholefortheworld.com/

UTOPIA BAPTIST CHURCH: 830-966-3688; Johnson & Oak, Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA CHURCH OF CHRIST: 830-966-3629; Main St, Utopia, TX 78884

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

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

UTOPIA EMS AMBULANCE: Non-Emergency 830-966-2435; 462 Sycamore, Utopia, TX 78884. utopia-vanderpool-esd.org/UtopiaEMS.html

UTOPIA VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE DEPT: Admin: 830-966-3767; 830-966-3333; POB 62, 485 Main St, Utopia, TX 78884. utopiaVFD.org

CRISIS HOTLINES: click Hotlines-Emergencies

UTOPIA GOLF OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY: 830-966-5577; 20567 RR-187, Utopia, TX 78884. utopiagolf.com. Public, 9 holes. One mile S of town. Home of the movie "Seven Days in Utopia".




LOCAL CITY GOVERNMENT: Unincorporated

LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT: See: Uvalde County Government Offices

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE - BILL SCHAEFER: 830-966-3445; Utopia, TX 78884

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

TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY - WATER MASTER: 830-966-2394; Utopia, TX 78884

US POSTAL SERVICE (USPS): 800-275-8777; usps.com.
Local post office: 830-966-3667; 700 N Main, RR-187, Utopia, TX 78884




DAY & SEASON HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES:

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






BEAR CREEK CABINS: 830-966-2177; RR-1050, Utopia, TX 78884

BEND O'THE RIVER BED & BREAKFAST: 830-966-2177; 24835 FM-187, Utopia, TX 78884. airbnb.com/Utopia

BLUEBIRD HILL BED & BREAKFAST: 830-966-2320; FM-1050, Utopia, TX 78884. 10 mi W of town

CLEAR SPRINGS LODGING: 210-267-7596; RR-187, Utopia, TX 78884. clearspringslodgingutopia.com

CREEKSIDE GUEST HOUSE: Utopia, TX 78884; creeksideguesthouse.com

CYPRESS LODGE MOTEL: 830-966-3441; RR-187 S, Utopia, TX 78884

EL LAGO VISTA RIVER RETREAT: 830-279-7129; FM-1050 & CR 353, Utopia, TX 78884. ellagovista.com

FOUR SISTERS RANCH CABIN: 830-426-1602; 1555 Lemond Rd, Utopia, TX 78884. foursistersranchcabin.com. aka 4 Sisters Ranch, lodging, events

LAS CAMPANAS GUEST RANCH: 830-966-3431; POB 238, Utopia, TX 78884-0238

LITTLE CREEK LODGE: 830-966-3765; POB 276, Utopia, TX 78884

OLD TOWN UTOPIA B&B: 830-9765-4689;467 Oak St, Utopia, TX 78884. Web

RIO FRIO BED-N-BREAKFAST: 830-966-2320; RR-1050, Utopia, TX 78884. On Sabinal River

RIVER VIEW CABIN: 830-966-3390; POB 598, Utopia, TX 78884

SABINAL RIVER LODGE: 830-966-3393; RR-187 S, Utopia, TX 78884. sabinalriverlodge.com

SECO VALLEY RANCH: 830-562-3650; 3361 CR-211 Utopia/Hondo, TX 78861. www.dwdlonghorns.com/cabin%20rental.html.

ST. CLARES CABIN: Utopia, TX 78884. stclarescabin.com

STEPPING STONES LODGING: 830-966-5193; 14086 B, FM-1050, Utopia, TX 78884. texashillcountrymall.com/steppingstoneslodging

TIM'S A/C: 830-966-4604; Utopia, TX 78884. utopiaac.com

TOUCH OF UTOPIA: 888-934-3585; FM-1050, Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA ON THE RIVER: 830-966-2444; 363 CR 360, RR-187 S, Utopia, TX 78884. utopiaontheriver.com




FRANK ONDROVIK: 830-966-2424; Utopia, TX 78884. DVM Large Animal Veterinarian

SEVEN OAKS WHITETAILS830-966-2424; Utopia, TX 78884

STEVEN SELLS830-966-2424; Utopia, TX 78884. DVM Large & Small Animal Veterinarian

UTOPIA MEDICAL CLINIC: 830-966-6140; Utopia, TX 78884. Family Medical Care







BLANKET CREEK TREE FARM: 210-602-9926; Utopia, TX 78884. blanketcreektreefarm.com

CHANEY SURVEYING COMPANY: 830-966-2266; Utopia, TX 78884

ERMA’S BEAUTY SHOP: 830-966-6233; 1012 Pecan St, Utopia, TX 78884

FIRST STATE BANK OF UVALDE: 830-966-3522; RR-187 N, Utopia, TX 78884. fsbuvalde.com

HEAVEN’S LANDING: 830-966-2401; RR-187 & School St, Utopia, TX 78884. Florist & gift shoppe

HILL COUNTRY ADVENTURES: 830-966-2320; Rio Frio, TX 78879. Office Located on FM-1050, 10 mi W of Utopia, TX or 5 mi Et of Hwy 83 & Garner State Park. hillcountryadventures.com

JACOB JEBBIA: 830-275-3657; Utopia, TX 78884

L.A. WATERS QUARTER HORSES: POB 1128, Utopia, TX 78884. lawatersquarterhorses.com

LINDA FOSTER, HOME INSPECTOR: Utopia, TX 78884

LITTLE CREEK EXOTICS: 830-966-3765; Utopia, TX 78884. Health and dietary products

MAIN STREET UTOPIA: 830-966-5544; 282 Main St, Utopia, TX 78884. mainstreetutopia.com. Gift shop & French antiques

MERCANTILE MEAT CO: 830-966-2222 or 830-966-6137; Utopia, TX 78884. Corner of Johnson & Cypress St.

MAZUREK SERVICE & REPAIR: 830-966-3370; Utopia, TX 78884. Electrical service

MOVIE STUFF: 830-966-4664; Utopia, TX 78884. Video Production

NAMETAGS EXPRESS: 830-966-4116; Utopia, TX 78884

PICO #16: 830-966-2161; RR-187 N, Utopia, TX 78884. N or town. Convenience store, gas, laundry, car wash

POWER HOUSE TREE SERVICE: 830-966-5109; Utopia, TX 78884

RIVER PC: 830-966-2410; Utopia, TX 78884. riverpc.com. Vanderpool/Utopia/Frio Canyon

SARAH'S UTOPIA: 830-486-9508; 359 Main St, Utopia, TX 78884. Facebook. Home decor, gifts

SEVEN OAKS INSURANCE AGENCY: 830-966-3311 or 830-966-4512; Utopia, TX 78884

TIM’S A/C: 830-966-4604; Utopia, TX 78884. utopiaac.com. Service & repairs

UNWIND UTOPIA BODY WORKS: 830-968-0234; 1186 N Main, Utopia, TX 78884. Facebook

UTOPIA BARBER SHOP: 830-966-4100; Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA CUSTOM CABINETS: 830-966-4202

UTOPIA GENERAL STORE: 830-966-3444; Utopia, TX 78884. utopiageneralstore.com. Feed, gas, propane, groceries, meat, deli

UTOPIA HOMES INC: 830-966-3723; Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA INSURANCE: 830-966-4646; 22542 N Ranch Rd, 187, Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA MAIL STORE: 830-966-2128; Utopia, TX 78884. UPS & FedEx shipping

UTOPIA MINI STORAGE: 830-966-2428; Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA NATURE: Utopia, TX 78884. Birding & Nature Tours

UTOPIA PLATING & GUN WORKS: 830-966-3553; if no answer call 830-966-3506; Utopia, TX 78884. Gun smith

UTOPIA RANCH OUTPOST: 830-966-4195; Utopia, TX 78884. utopiaranchoutpost.com. Hardware and Supplies

UTOPIA RENTALS: 830-966-2428; Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA SALES & SERVICE: 830-966-3456; Utopia, TX 78884. Water well drilling and systems

UTOPIA SILVER SUPPLEMENTS: 830-966-2315 or 830-966-2325; Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA WATER WELL SERVICE: 830-966-3456; 428 Main St, Utopia, TX 78884. utopiadrilling.com. Water well drilling and systems

VIVINT SECURITY: 855-848-4681; 406 Main St, Ste 3D, Utopia, TX 78884. vivint.security/home-security

WAGON WHEEL STABLES: 830-966-2153; POB 23, Utopia, TX 78884. Located just outside town

(The) WATER HOLE: 1-888-385-2416; POB 532, Utopia, TX 78884. thewaterhole.net

WISNIESKI TRUCKING: 830-966-6294; Utopia, TX 78884




SABINAL CANYON MUSEUM: 210-355-3835; POB 13, Utopia, TX 78884. From intersection of School Street and RR-187 in Utopia, go 1/2 block S on RR-187. The museum is on the right (west) side of the road. Exhibits pioneer farm implements and household items, Indian artifacts, geological exhibits, including fossils and minerals from the Sabinal River Canyon. World War II exhibit. TravelTexas Profile




AA & ALANON: 830-966-5193; Utopia, TX 78884. Meet Thurs 8p at Methodist Church.

KEEP UTOPIA BEAUTIFUL: 830-966-5566; FM-1050, CR 357, Utopia, TX 78884. keeputopiabeautiful.org

KEEP UTOPIA BEAUTIFUL RECYCLING: 830-966-5566; FM-1050, CR 357, Utopia, TX 78884. 1 mile W of town. keeputopiabeautiful.org/utopia_recycles.html

LIONS CLUB: lionsclubs.org. A volunteer-based, non-profit, community service organization that aggressively works to donate back to the community to support local, regional, national and international needs. Mission is to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs. Local Lions Club:
Utopia Lions Club: Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA FRIENDSHIP GARDEN CLUB: Utopia, TX 78884. Meets 2nd Thur, 7p, School Cafeteria

MEALS ON WHEELS: meals-on-wheels.com. Individuals 60 years and older are invited to eat meals at the senior centers and apply for services. All of our meals are provided at no cost to recipients. Donations are welcome. Local: Utopia Meals On Wheels: Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA MEMORIAL LIBRARY: 830-966-3448; RR-187, Utopia, TX 78884. Open: M-F 9a-noon; M&Th 1–5p; T,W&F 1-4p. Books, videos, wi-fi & computers access

UTOPIA COMMUNITY PARK BOARD: Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA SENIOR FOUNDATION & CENTER: Utopia, TX 78884




BOB HEYEN REALTY: 830-966-5656; RR-187, Utopia, TX 78884

BOWNDS & ASSOCIATES REALTORS: 830-966-6111, RR-187 N, Utopia, TX 78884. bowndsrealtors.com

BOYCE REALTY: 830-966-3349; POB 845, Utopia, TX 78884. boycerealty.com

CAROL MANGUM REAL ESTATE: 830-966-3772; Utopia, TX 78884

RAMSEY RANCH REALTY: 830-966-3755; POB 276, Utopia, TX 78884

SOUTH HILLS LAND CO: 830-966-4207; Main St, Utopia, TX 78884

TEXAS LAND & RANCH CO: 830-966-2334; 406 N Main, Utopia, TX 78884. texaslandandranch.net

THOMPSON RANCH REALTY: 830-966-3434; 800-259-3433; 259 Main, Utopia, TX 78884. nancythompson.com

TOWN & COUNTRY REALTY: 830-966-2220; RR-187 N, Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA RANCH REALTY: 830-966-2400; POB 1100, 685 Main St, Utopia, TX 78884




C J'S BBQ & BEANERY: 830-966-4228, Utopia, TX 78884

CHIQUITA’S MEXCIAN RESTAURANT: 830-966-4185; 301 Main St, Utopia, TX 78884

FIDDLESTIX: 830-966-2345; Corner of Lee & Main St, Utopia, TX 78884. fiddlestixutopia.com

HICK HOUSE RESTAURANT: Utopia, TX 78884

(The) LAUREL TREE RESTAURANT: 830-966-5444; 18956 RR-187, Utopia, TX 78884 (2.5 miles S of Utopia, 18 mi N of Sabinal). utopiagourmet.com

LOST MAPLES CAFE: 830-966-2221; 384 RR-187 (Main St), Downtown, Utopia, TX 78884. lostmaplescafe.com. Free wi-fi

SAINT JO'S PICNIC: 830-275-3989; 658 Main St, Utopia, TX 78884. Facebook. Restaurant/caterer

UTOPIA MEALS ON WHEELS: Utopia, TX 78884




RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS:

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY RV: 830-966-4128; 695 S Thundercreek Rd, Utopia, TX 78884

UTOPIA COMMUNITY PARK: 830-966-3643; FM-1050 W, 240 Utopia Park Road. Facebook. Dam on Sabinal River. Day use fee $5. Rentals. Established 1929. Susan Sinclair, Manager

RV SALES, SERVICES & PARTS:

HILL COUNTRY RV RENTALS: 713-858-2617; River Oaks Dr, Utopia, TX 78884. hillcountryrvrentals.com




UTOPIA ISD: 830-966-3339; 258 School St, POB 880, Utopia, TX 78884. utopia.k12.tx.us.Pre-K thru 12th Grade

UISD ADMINISTRATIVE & SCHOOL TAX OFFICE 830-966-1928; Utopia, TX 78884




CAMP LONEHOLLOW: 830-966-6600; POB 700, RR-187 N, Utopia, TX 78884. lonehollow.com. N of town. Adventure camp for boys & girls

LAJITA GIRL SCOUT CAMP: Utopia, 930-966-3526, caretaker 830-966-3521; Utopia, TX 78884. S of town

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

LOCAL UTILITY PROVIDERS:

BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (BEC): 866-226-3372; 830-370-7648; banderaelectric.com. Service Area Map. Nearest service office: Leakey: 485 RR -37 W. Serves: Camp Wood, Concan, Hunt, Leakey, Utopia, Vanderpool

SOUTHWEST TEXAS TELEPHONE COMPANY: 830-683-2111; 939 TX-55 S, Rocksprings, TX 78880. swtexas.com. Local telephone lines, long distance service, wireless cell phone service, and internet service. Local office: 830-966-2111, Serves: Utopia/Vanderpool

UTOPIA WATER SUPPLY CO: 830-966-4186; Utopia, TX 78884

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

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