Llano, Texas

Llano is located west on TX 29 from Buchanan Dam in a region called the Llano Uplift, a geological formation caused by igneous rocks from 40 miles below ground being pushed up to the surface.

As a result of the formation, the rich minerals found here turned Llano into a boomtown in the 1880s. Huge deposits of iron ore were found in the area, and some industrialists had dreams on making Llano the "Pittsburgh of the West." Tent cities were erected, mining went full swing, and downtown Llano was spruced up with the money that came pouring into town. All too soon, though, one hard fact came to light: to make steel you have to have coal as well as iron, and there was no coal in the area. To bring coal in was far too costly. As quickly as it began, the iron ore business came to a swift halt.

But Llano was by then well known for another mineral: granite. During its heyday, the city boasted 10 granite quarries and five finishing plants, shipping several varieties of granite around the country. When rail prices increased, Llano's granite business also came to a stop, although vast quantities of granite still remain.

Granite brought many prominent men to the area. Sculptor Frank Teich, a nationally famous German artist owned a monument company(he also owned the town of Teichville). His World War I monument still stands on the courthouse lawn here. Teich came to Llano for its healthy climate when doctors told him that he had only six months to live. Either the doctors were wrong in their diagnosis or Llano's healthy atmosphere really worked, because Teich lived in the town for another 38 years! Even today, Llano is listed by the U.S. Census as one of the healthiest places to live in the country.

Another prominent Llano citizen was Professor N. J. Badu, a mineralogist who came to town to operate a manganese mine, and tried to focus the attention of the mineralogy world on Llano's many minerals. Today his elegant home is a busy bed-and-breakfast inn.

The Llano area is still a collector's paradise, with over 240 different rocks and minerals discovered in the region. The area's granite, feldspar, graphite, and talc have commercial value, while the more precious yields, such as garnet, amethyst, tourmaline, and quartz — even gold and silver — are sought by eager visiting rock hounds.

Public rock hunting is allowed on the Llano River in town. Stop by the park on the south bank of the river just across from the public library and try your luck. The riverbanks are dotted with rocks of all varieties and offer some pretty picnic spots as well.

Attractions:

Llano County Historical Museum. Visitors find this museum housed in the old Bruhl Drugstore, with displays on the area's early Indian history and Llano's boomtown days. An exhibit contains samples of Llano's many rocks and minerals. Located at 310 Bessemer Ave. (TX 16).

Barbecue

• Brother's Bar-B-Q
• Cooper's Pit
• Laird's Barbeque & Catering

For More Information: Llano Chamber of Commerce

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