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WILLOW CITY VFD

See Listing Below

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CITY: Not incorporated

CHAMBER, TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Nothing formal

NEIGHBORING TOWNS: 3 mi E of Eckert; 11 mi SE of Crabapple, 16 mi NE of Fredericksburg, 28 mi S of Llano, 17 mi NW of Sandy

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS: Tourism, ranching, winery

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: Note: This "ghost" town is well known because of the very scenic drive through Willow City Loop and until recently, two popular biker saloons (Harry' sand Knot In The Loop, now closed). Most local folks think of the neighboring unincorporated area of Eckert and Willow City as one, and call it "Willow City".

• Willow City Loop: One of the most scenic drives in the Texas Hill Country, this popular 13 mile drive has scenic views around every windy turn up and down the back-roads of this rugged area, including a surprisingly large and beautiful canyon, rolling hills, meadows, and creeks. This loop is particularly popular and outstanding when the wildflowers are in full bloom (especially bluebonnets, sometime in March-May, rain dependent), with lots of car and motorcycle traffic taking in the mosaic colors. Enter this loop on TX-16 at the Loop's NW corner (for a clockwise tour), or on RR-1323 in Willow City (for a counter-clockwise tour). Private land on both sides of this loop, so no stomping or picnicking in the fields of wildflowers. There is a good place to stop in the bottom of the canyon, stretch your legs and enjoy the views. Sightings; Google Map; Article1; Article2; Article3; Wildflower Photos

NEARBY & HILL COUNTRY-WIDE ATTRACTIONS: See Attractions.

Some of the very nearby attractions include:

• Fredericksburg: Fort; Butterfly Ranch; Herb Farm; Theater; Trade Days; Museums; Dulcimers; Historic German Downtown; Jewelry Workshop; Rockbox; Wildseed Farm; Cowboy Ranch
• Johnson City: Exotic Zoo Resort; Texas Hills Winery; Whittington's Jerky; Historic Courthouse & Jail; Lavender Farms; Wildflower Capital; Bamberger Ranch; LBJ Boyhood Home
• Llano: Parks; Golf; Hill Country Wildlife Museum; Llano County Historical Museum; Lantex Theater

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

• Fredericksburg: Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site & National Museum Of The Pacific War; Enchanted Rock State Natural Area; Lady Bird Municipal Park
• Johnson City: Pedernales Falls State Park; LCRA Pedernales River Nature Park; Lbj National Park
• 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: See full details in Directory below.

• On-Line News: Google News
• Videos: YouTube1; YouTube2
• Also see Fredericksburg

MAPS: Local Google; Hill Country Special Maps

HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online: ". . . The earliest recorded settler before the Civil War was a slaveholding Baptist preacher reported to harbor a strong dislike for the neighboring Germans. Sometime after the war a group of settlers-including ranchers Andrew Moore, Jim Renick, William Luckenbach, Bill Hardin, and Pierce Smith, storekeeper Gene Harrison, and miller Bill Ricks-came to Willow Creek and founded one of the few Gillespie County communities settled by English-speakers rather than Germans. These early settlers traded mostly in Austin because they preferred dealing with other Anglo-Americans rather than with the Germans in nearby Fredericksburg. The town prospered and gained an early reputation as a criminal hangout. The post office opened in 1877 and was named Willow until 1887, when it changed to Willow City. The town had two teachers as early as 1881; one was John Warren Hunter, who once had to wrestle a six-gun away from an angry student. In 1885 a Methodist congregation was organized, although a church was not built until 1900, under Rev. T. J. Lassater. From 1892 to 1894 Green Harrison published the Gillespie County News; later he sold the newspaper to Webster McGinnis, who moved it to Fredericksburg. Willow City received telephone service in 1893. In 1904 the population was estimated at 132, and by 1915 Willow City had three general stores, a drugstore, two blacksmiths, and a cotton gin. The population declined during the first half of the twentieth century, to 100 in 1925 and to forty in 1939. During the 1940s it climbed again, reaching sixty by 1949, and then it fluctuated between a low of seventeen in 1964 and a high of eighty-five in 1968. In 1970 the population was estimated at seventy-five, where it remained through 2000."

History of Willow City School, by Mable Wilke, 7/26/09: "Little is known about the first Willow City schoolhouse, which was located on the Paulus Flat area near the Willow Creek. When R. C. Roberts came to the Community in 1876 he described the building as a log cabin, no floor, and having split long benches. The building at that time was used for school and church services. In 1881, that building was enlarged, and in 1890, after the original school building flooded away, a second building was constructed on higher ground. In 1905, the present building was built on even higher ground where it stands today. This two-story rock building has two rooms and a hallway downstairs and an auditorium and stage upstairs. Ceiling fans have been installed and the downstairs has A/C window units for cooling. In the 1950's, restrooms were added to the north side of the building. The building and school grounds have served the Community for educating the young people, for holding business meetings, social gatherings and community events such as calf roping and softball games. The Willow City School consolidated with Fredericksburg Independent School District at the end of school term 1960-61. The Willow City Community Club was organized May 12, 1961. Then, on April 19, 1999, the Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools organized of which Willow City School is a member. The Friends group works toward preservation of the country school buildings that still are in existence for community use. The Willow City School building and property is now owned by Gillespie County." See more in the detailed listings below.

PRIOR CITY NAMES: Willow (until 1887)

HISTORICAL MARKERS:

• Willow City School: See above

CEMETERIES:

• Willow City Cemetery: Gold-Schaefer Rd
• Eckert Cemetery: TX-16
• Young's Chapel Cemetery: Wahrmund-Ahrens Rd

AVAILABLE SERVICES: Gas: no; Convenience Stores: yes; Restaurants: yes (very limited hours); Lodging: yes; Grocery Stores: no; Banks: no; Vehicle Repair: no; Hospital: no; Med Clinic: no; Post Office: closed; Public Schools: no; Cemeteries: 3

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

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BUSINESS & ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY

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

CRIME STOPPERS-REPORT ANONYMOUSLY-CASH REWARD: 830-997-8477; or text keyword "TIP 830 and your tip" to 274637; or click: Stoppers

WILLOW CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT & RESCUE (WCVFR):
830-685-3376; 2553 RR-1323, Willow City, TX 78675. Business meeting: 1st Thur, 7p at Fire Station. Contact: Stanley Rabke (Chief) or Janet Rabke (Pres): 830-685-3266. A 501c4 all volunteer, non-profit organization of firefighters, medical first responders, and auxiliary members serving the 335-square miles of north-central and northeastern response area of Gillespie County and providing mutual aid to adjoining Gillespie County areas and Llano and Blanco Counties. Volunteers are needed to join the department who are willing to train and respond to fires and medical emergencies, and protecting lives and property in the community. Visitors & volunteer prospects welcome to attend to weekly training & work sessions. Donations are appreciated and needed. Web, wcvfr@ctesc.net






LOCAL CITY GOVERNMENT: Unincorporated

LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT: See: Gillespie County Government Offices

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

CRISIS HOTLINES: click Hotlines-Emergencies

DAY & SEASON HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES:

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

R DIAMOND RANCH: 830-685-3266; 3875 Eckert Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. Located 4 mi W of Hwy 16. rabkes.com. Guided deer hunts, All Ages Welcome. Men, Women, and Children Welcome. Very Reasonable Prices--Quoted on Request.

WAIGHT'S 4-W RANCH: 830-685-3577; 1400 Eckert Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. 4wranches.com. Exotic and deer hunts

TAXIDERMY & MEAT PROCESSING:

RABKE'S TABLE READY MEATS: 830-685-3266; 3875 Eckert Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. Located 4 mi W of Hwy 16. rabkes.com Processing & Storage






(The) CABIN AT BELL MOUNTAIN: 997-5839; 17951 TX 16 N, Willow City, TX 78675. cabinatbellmtn.com

WILLOW CITY RETREAT: 830-992-9750; 5828 RR-1323, Willow City, TX 78675

WILLOW SKY RANCH: 830-998-5683; 1296 Willow City Loop, Willow City, TX 78675. willowskyranch.com/. 75 acres. Lodging, weddings, event venue




EMMANUEL GOSPEL CHURCH:
2538 RR-1323, Willow City, TX 78675

HOHMANN'S WILLOW CITY GENERAL STORE:
830-685-3255; 2571 RR-1323, Willow City, TX 78675.
Patrick Hohmann-Onr

MULDEROSA RANCH AT COAL CREEK: 830-685-3062; 5998 Willow City Loop, Willow City, TX 78675

SELECTIVE MECHANICAL: 830-685-3244;
1348 Herber-Schaefer Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. Ray Gold-Onr. Auto repair shop and towing

SPOTTED PONY RANCH TRAIL RIDING SERVICES: 830-456-1933; 87 T Bar J Ranch Rd, Willow City, TX 78675. spottedponyranch.com

ST. NICK'S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM:
830-685-3412; 12638 TX 16 N, Willow City, TX 78675

WILLOW CITY COMMUNITY CLUB: Usually meets first Friday of each month, at 7p at the Willow City School Building/Community Center (see below). Members are encouraged to bring finger foods and snacks for the light meal to be served at 7p. A short business meeting is held at 7:30p, followed by games of "42" dominoes and socializing. Club Secretary/Treasurer: Mable Wilke, 830-685-3385, Email: rmrwilkeranch@earthlink.net.




MIKE'S ON THE LOOP RESTAURANT: Closed

KNOT IN THE LOOP SALOON: Closed




WILLOW CITY SCHOOL BUILDING/COMMUNITY CENTER: 2501 RR-1323, Willow City, TX 78675. This is a hickory sandstone, two-story, three room school building with original desks and blackboards. Built in 1905. This was the third school building for the Willow City community. First Rural Gillespie County school to have a bus and bus shed. Consolidated with Fredericksburg in 1961. It is on the Gillespie County Country Schools Trail and is designated National Historic Registered site. The Building may be rented for social gatherings, such as receptions, reunions, meetings and classes. An annual open house and family night picnic reunion/homecoming celebration is held in August. See Club contact above regarding rental and building/area history.

See above historical account by Wilke.

See Friends Profile including town and school history and pictures.

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

LOCAL UTILITY PROVIDERS:

VERIZON: verizon.com. Regulated land-line telephone service. Residential Service: 1-800-483-4000; Business Service: 1-800-483-5000; Repair-Residential Service: 1-800-483-1000; Repair-Business Service: 1-800-483-2000. No local customer service office.

See nearby Fredericksburg Business Directory for utility providers.




WILLOW SKY RANCH: 830-998-5683; 1296 Willow City Loop, Willow City, TX 78675. willowskyranch.com/. 75 acres. Lodging, weddings, event venue






BELL MOUNTAIN/OBERHELMAN: 830-685-3297; 463 Bell Mountain Rd, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. bellmountainwine.com. Sat: 10a-5p, From first Sat of Feb through last Sat of Dec. Other times by appointment 24-hours in advance. Closed Sun except special events. Complimentary tours and tasting at the Winery.

Willow City Area

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