“There’s a place I know where we all go
A little way down the road
It ain’t far from here, we like to sit and drink beer
Play dominoes and tell jokes
We’ve been stopping by since 49
Ain’t nothing fancy, just kids and ranches and
Clean white shirts and jeans!
Lots of smiling faces, little children running around
Everybody’s somebody in an old hill country town!
Dirt daubers humming, see the stickle burrs on your sock
Sure signs you spent some time in beautiful Luckenbach!”
– Jerry Jeff Walker
“Everybody’s Somebody in Luckenbach” is the motto of this tiny Hill County town, 15 minutes outside Fredericksburg. Willie, Waylon, Lyle and many more country music legends have graced the stage of Luckenbach. With a current population of 3, the town was first established by the Engel Family as trading post in the mid-1800s that catered to everyone in the area from Pioneer folk and Comanche indians. It remained in the Engel family until 1970s when it fell into disrepair and was put up for sale. A local fellow – now legend – named Hondo Crouch and his buddies saw the for-sale ad in the paper and bought the town.
“Dallas wasn’t for sale – besides, the American way is to start small and work your way up” – Hondo.
Hondo worked to turn Luckenbach into more of a ‘Texas State of Mind” than traditional town. He brought in festivals and music, which over time, attracted some of the greatest Country artists in the state.
It remains a tiny place with big soul. Don’t come expecting loads to do and see. Come to relax, hang out, and listen to good music. For a calendar of upcoming events and concerts, check out the town main site: here.
For more on what to do in and around the Fredericksburg / Hill Country area, check out our post: here.
