1959
Hwy. 97 E
Pleasanton,
Texas 78064
(830)
569-6313
Hours:
Monday - Saturday
8:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission:
By donation
Groups:
please call for an appointment
Director:
Donna Rice
Assistant: Valerie
Purgason
| The Longhorn Museum was established to preserve the past history of Atascosa County. The museum is expanding public awareness through educational, cultural exhibits and activities, and by preserving the history of ranching, home-life, farming and industry from the arrival of the longhorn cattle and mustangs, to the opening of the uranium mines, oil fields and coal strip mines. |
The old SAU&G
railroad depot, originally located on Hwy. 281 N in Pleasanton, was
moved
to the grounds of the museum. The depot houses artifacts from
early
days of railroading in South Texas. A caboose has been added to
the
exhibit and is open for viewing.
Some
Exhibits of Interest:
Typical
early Texas "living room"
Many
displays honor the local men and women who served in the armed forces
from
our area
Old
storefront
A
teller
window from the old First National Bank of Pleasanton. Note the
painting
of the county courthouse, then located in Pleasanton.
| Our museum was founded by Dr. Ben and Mona Parker, owners of KBOP radio station in Pleasanton. It all began as a display in the station's front window. For a time during the 1950's, Willie Nelson was a local deejay. This display is a tribute to their contribution to the community. |
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Indians: Special emphasis is centered on the tribes that inhabited South Texas after 1840, particularly the Lipans whose campfires were seen in the area as late as 1906. Other Indians lived here 25,000 years ago.
Spaniards: The Atascosa County area was under Spanish rule from 1521 - 1821 and Mexican rule from 1821 - 1836. Much of the history of those times is portrayed in displays of artifacts and written documents.
Cattle Industry: The Museum stands on lands that were owned and ranched by San Jose Mission. It was founded as El Rancho Del Atascosa, one of the first ranches in Texas. On this ranch, vaqueros, the first working cowboys, developed techniques of handling cattle while on horseback. The Longhorn Museum devotes its major effort in documenting the area as "The Birthplace of the Cowboy."
Wild Game:
A recent addition to the Museum is a multi-million dollar, world-class
wild game trophy exhibit. These were donated by the late John M.
Faggard of Pleasanton and the family of the late Ray A. Schriewer,
Brenham.
|
the first Tuesday of every even month at 7:00 p.m. at the Museum. All are welcomed to attend! |