history of
luckenbach texas
A Texas State of Mind
These days Luckenbach Texas is, to paraphrase John Steinbeck, a "State of Mind" – A Texas state of mind, where you can kick back, relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life—like a step back in time.
How Luckenbach Got Its Name
One of the first settlers in the area was Jacob Luckenbach (1817-1911). A group of German nobility, the Adelsverein, hoped for great riches by establishing a colony in the New World. In 1845 Jacob signed up and sailed with his family on the Johann Dethardt to Indianola in December.
150 Years of Luckenbach in Texas 1849-1999
Jacob Luckenbach is known to have come to Texas as early as the mid-1830’s and was among the Texans, including many Texas-Germans, who helped to win Texas’ independence from Mexico. The Bounty and Donation Land Grants of Texas 1835-1888 shows that he was awarded payment for service in the Texas army from May to September 15, 1836.
Coffins and Cowbells (The Preservation of a General Store)
“Is this all there is?” I’ve heard asked many times by disappointed visitors to Luckenbach. These people come from a high tech – action movie – crowded freeway civilization expecting our famous town to be Fiesta Texas and finding instead, Siesta Texas.
Remembering Our Beloved Sheriff Marge ... A Real Texas Folk Hero
The smaller a place is the greater the big things in it are missed. We were mad when the souvenir vultures stole the old signs and antique fire truck. We smarted when the blacksmith shop washed down creek. We felt an even bigger shock when the 2002 Flood took the cotton gin. Even the voices and faces of Hondo, Tex and Sam have faded into the moonlight. But the loudest scream heard will be the silence of one unique voice: the voice that accompanied the even stronger presence of our dynamic and dear Sheriff Marge.
“Dallas wasn’t for sale - besides the American way is to start small and work your way up.”
