Spending a day in Luckenbach is like stepping back in time and stepping into a Texas state of mind.
When you drive down this enchanting country lane that enchantment passes to you and gives you permission to be young again.
Luckenbach was established as a Trading Post in 1849. The Post Office/ General Store/ Beer Joint, was first opened in 1886 by August Engel, an itinerant preacher from Germany. Luckenback remained in the Engel family until 1970. The owner at that time, Benno Engel, retired as postmaster and placed an ad in the local paper: “TOWN FOR SALE” —lock, stock and dancehall.
This is when the fun began. Luckenbach was purchased by a collection of only-in-Texas characters—Hondo Crouch and his cohorts, Guich Koock and Kathy Morgan, who had what might charitably be described as over-active imaginations. Hondo imagined it was an old west fairy-tale-like principality and gave everybody titles. He formed a make-believe town and proclaimed himself Mayor. He made Marge the Sheriff and appointed ambassadors to foreign countries. The trio began to use the nearly-abandoned buildings as a backdrop for anything that smacked of mirth and diversion: “Hug-Ins”, a Luckenbach World’s Fair, Ladies State Chili Bust, the Mud Dauber Festival — and daily sessions of song-picking, domino playing and beer drinking beneath the 500-year-old oak trees. Today, over thirty years later, these events are still celebrated and the pickers are still pickin’ out under the big oak trees.
All of the fun and games and more put Luckenbach "on the map".
In 1973 the music industry discovered Luckenbach and in 1977 “Luckenbach Texas (Back to the Basics)” became a massive hit for Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson, bringing Luckenbach to its ultimate worldwide fame.
The music and dances continue every week-end. Even in the afternoon, which is when we were there.
Luckenbach gives you permission to have a Pickle on a Stick.................................
and just cut and fried potato chips for lunch.
Luckenbach gives you permission to try on cowboy hats and remember the days when you would wear one.
Luckenbach gives you permission to while away the afternoon listening to country music.
Luckenbach gives you permission to wander down by the creek.
Luckenbach lists its population as 3. I think they forgot to count the resident kitty.
Hmmm, want your picture taken right in that saddle?
This rooster crowed all afternoon. You have a lot to crow about if you live in Luckenbach.
I had to include this beautiful senior picture of granddaughter Bailey. She loves chickens, pickles and music and is a little bit quirky so I think she would love Luckenbach. Maybe someday we could travel there together.
Come to Luckenbach..............you'll realize you are somebody!