Nestled deep in the heart of Texas is a special place which has been cherished by both its inhabitants and visitors for thousands of years. Early Native Americans thought of this beautiful hilly region with its clear flowing spring fed creeks and rivers as an enchanted place.
The spring waters attracted game of all sorts to include buffalo, deer, antelope, bear, and turkey. Wild fruits, berries, and grains were also abundant. So much was this part of Texas a desired location that different tribes such as the Tonkawa, Lipan Apache and Comanche would fight each other to gain control of their revered Enchanted Spring region. Soon, Americans and Europeans would move into the region and Texas Rangers, organized in 1823, would battle the Indians over this prized piece of Texas.
The longhorn and horse would not arrive in this area until the 1500’s with the explorers from Spain. Columbus made his second voyage to Santa Domingo in 1493 and there he dropped off the first of these new inhabitants to America. The longhorns and horses adapted well to Mexico and Texas and over time multiplied to the millions. The horse enabled the Indians to become mobile, fierce fighters and hunters. It was destiny that the horse and buffalo would characterize the Indian way of life just as the horse and longhorn would characterize that of the cowboy.
The first men to work the growing herds of cattle were of Mexican and Spanish blood called Vaqueros, consequently many terms of the cowboy trade originated in the Spanish language. Even well before the big cattle drives would make famous the Texas cowboy, Vaqueros and longhorns were taken to Hawaii by Captain Scott in the 1830s to train the Paniolos. Thus, the second race of cowboys was of Asian descent.
When the Civil War had ended, longhorns had multiplied to over 10 million and were the key to survival of poverty stricken Texans. Thus, began the true cowboy years (1866-1886) when millions of longhorns were pushed up the trail by tough, hard working Texas cowboys.
Many of the drives began in the Enchanted Springs region with cowboy gathering towns such as Bandera. These brave young men (and a few women) would represent numerous races to include Hispanic, European, African-American, Native American and Caucasian. Most of the cowboys were 12-19 years old who would often ride 20 hours a day and sleep under the stars. Many saw their job as survival. Few thought that their adventures would mesmerize the world’s population for years to come.
The end of the cowboy trail drives would come as a result of the train tracks being completed into Texas and with the invention of barbed wire. Modern cowboys would no longer drive cattle thousands of miles to market, but would be confined to large fenced- off ranches.
So much of the western cowboy and Indian history is connected to the Central Hills and Enchanted Springs of Texas that all the details are not contained here, but in volumes of books published over two hundred years. It is of interest to note however, that the Enchanted Springs region was a cross roads for the famous cattle trails, the southwest passage to California, and some of the Spanish explorers. Jim Bowie, one of the hero’s of the Alamo, would travel deep into the Enchanted Springs region to the headwaters of the San Saba River. Here he claimed to find a rich silver mine. After the mid 1860s, wagon trains and stage coaches would frequently travel the road from San Antonio to El Paso (similar to modern day IH-10). This road was mapped by a famous Tejano, Jose Policarpio Rodriquez and was guarded by U.S. Cavalry units to include the Buffalo Soldiers (Black Cavalry Units).
Although the original region that the Native Americans thought of as Enchanted Springs covered close to 10,000 square miles of central Texas, it is now divided into numerous towns, ranches, and farms. Carved out of this rich history is Enchanted Springs Ranch. Even though it is only 86 acres, it has become the regions most unique location for special events, tourists, and western films. Including an authentic old west town, working cattle and horse ranch and wild animal park, this beautiful piece of the Texas Hill Country contains numerous springs that feed two crystal clear creeks full of bass and catfish.
With its 1800s atmosphere to included tour guides and entertainers in period clothing, Enchanted Springs Ranch is advertised by the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau as one of the top reasons to visit San Antonio and neighboring regions.