Bandera County, Texas is located in the lush and beautiful southern Texas Hill Country.  Limestone outcroppings, rolling hills, pure spring-fed rivers and creeks combine with the natural beauty of Medina Lake to make this one of the prettiest counties in the state of Texas.

Bandera County is the fastest growing county in the state and the second fastest growing county in the nation.  It claims a unique blend of Indian, Mexican, Western and Polish cultures.  Historically, Bandera Pass was the site of many bloody battles between Spanish Conquistadors and the Apache and Comanche tribes.  Legend states that a red bandera, meaning 'flag' in Spanish, was flown at the Pass to mark the boundary between Indian and Spanish hunting grounds.

Cypress trees attracted the first permanent white settlers in 1853.  A mill was constructed and 16 Polish immigrant families settled in Bandera to work it.  Their heritage is still evident today in much of the town's architecture, such as St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, the second oldest Polish Catholic church in the nation.

Bandera County was the staging area for the last great cattle drives in the late 1800's, before fencing and farming took over the wide open range.  Even today the county is home to many national rodeo champions.  A bronze monument to the cowboy stands on the Bandera Court House lawn, confirming Bandera City as the "Cowboy Capitol of the World."

Yesterday's cowboys roamed the region, while today it is becoming known as a 'motorcycle mecca.'  Attracted by the remoteness of the area and the unspoiled terrain, cyclists enjoy the 792 square miles of rolling hills and scenic open land, along with two state natural areas: Lost Maples on the western edge of the county, and Hill Country State Natural Area in the south.

17,645 people made their home in Bandera county according to the 2000 census, with a projected estimate of 19,153 by 2002.  In the decade of 1990 to 2000, Bandera County had a 67.1% growth in population.  94% of the population is white.  The median household income in 2000 was just over $39,000 with a home ownership rate of almost 83%.

The major towns of Bandera County are Medina, Pipe Creek, Lakehills, Tarpley, Vanderpool and the county seat of Bandera.

Medina is known as the Apple Capital of Texas and the Medina International Apple Festival draws visitors from all over.  Bandera lies 50 miles northwest of the exciting city of San Antonio which is known for its western flare and the large number of dude ranches that exist side by side with professional rodeo and horse racing outfits.

Bandera County, Texas, full of western spirit and heritage, rich in its vast resources of natural beauty, is attracting residents who are committed to preserving both the land and the heritage.  A true treasure to discover, Bandera County has much to offer both visitors and residents alike.