Granbury’s historic square grew out of the need for places for cowboys to get good grub, a place to relax and forget the trail. Hood County lured cowboys straight from the trail, gussied up their hotels, created eating establishments, rustled up entertainment, and added libation. The good news is—history repeats itself.

Today, as they did then, Texans stampede toward Granbury to stroll the historic buildings, walk on the beach, eat, drink, and relax. Why Granbury? Many towns offer legends and quaint historic buildings, however, few provide historic establishments renovated with the opulence found in Hood County

Legend says the best barometers for economic development in the late 1800s were determined by the number of saloons a town could handle. Granbury sported one or two on every street. As you stroll from shop to shop and read the historical plaques, you’ll discover many buildings once housed a saloon. Early examples of the saloons in this thriving oasis include the Aston Landers Saloon. Now, Oz On The Square offers coffee that’s over the rainbow good, gifts, real estate, and a lavish B&B. Originally the Cowboy Saloon has transformed into many businesses—perhaps the favorite being Rinky Tinks Ice Cream Parlor with rock-n-roll star Bobby Skelof the Red Ryders fame. The store, St. Helen’s, was once the A. P.Gordon Saloon.

Martha Washington (Garrison) Stringfellow opened a boardinghouse in 1871 named “The Granbury House.” Later, this structure housed hotels, saloons, cafes, and clothing stores. Today the sign reads Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus. Back in the day, Mrs. Stringfellow could walk next door to mail a letter at what was the original postoffice. Later it housed Thomas Ewell’s newspaper and now Central Texas Title.

Another local legend suggests the notorious outlaw Jesse James is buried in Granbury Cemetery. Most historians believe that Jesse James was mortally wounded when shot by a member of his gang in 1882. But Texas legend tells the story of another member of that notorious gang who was shot to deceive the law. Local lore says James fell in love with a young woman here, and then returned to the area with his grandson for the last days of his life. James’ family descendants dedicated a headstone and continue to visit his grave.findagrave.com/memorial/683605556

In 1905, temperance leader Carrie Nation came to town. A large group of Granbury’s population turned up at the depot to meet her. Having endured her first husband’s alcoholism, Mrs. Nation believed it her divinely ordained duty to fight the sale of liquor. Alone or with a group, she marched into a saloon and proceeded to sing, pray, shout, and smash the bar and stock with her famous hatchet. She had all the Granbury saloons shut down in a few days. Little was known about alcoholism in the years after reconstruction and women had few rights. It’s easy to understand the link of the movement for women’s right to vote growing strong in the aftermath of Carrie Nation’s visit. Shortly thereafter, in 1907, Jess A.Baker of Granbury introduced a joint resolution in the Texas House of Representatives for women’s enfranchisement. It failed. However, in 1917, during the Thirty-fifth Legislature, Baker co-sponsored two suffrage bills which finally gave women the right to vote in 1919.

From bars to B&Bs, the lavish restorations of Historic Granbury Square add to the charm of days gone by. Ride in, relax and be entertained.

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