The small town of Boerne dates back to 1851. It was founded by German immigrants that obviously knew a good thing when they saw it, and Boerne came into being as a small settlement in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
One of the great ways to get to know the town is to step off of main street and enjoy many of the trails that snake around and through the town. One of these trails is the Old No. 9 trail. A path whose roots began as a simple walking path.
From that simple path, the trail eventually evolved into a wagon trail for immigrants. The trail was known as the Old San Antonio Highway or the Old Fredericksburg Road and was the main wagon trail going from San Antonio to Fredericksburg. But time marches on...
On March 12, 1887, things picked up in Boerne when the first San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad passenger train arrived. It was a luxury train that carried over 600 people to Boerne at 0.95 cents for a ticket that offered a 3 hour ride and even beer. It cost extra to have your horses and buggies transported (of course).
The railroad not only provided transportation, but also jobs, and the development of agriculture. Special farm trains would come to town, complete with agricultural experts that would show farmers the best types of crops to sow, and demonstrate use of the newest farm equipment. The line was extended through Comfort to Kerrville in August 1887. The spur to Fredericksburg opened in 1914. As the loads of trucks increased and cars were used more for travel, the line eventually ended service in 1971.
Today, the old railroad right of way that runs through Boerne has been reporposed as a multi-use trail that many people enjoy every day. It forms a 1 1/4 mile diagonal cut through town. There are cute signs at street intersections telling you to "LOOK OUT FOR THE AUTOS", and a depot like structure complete with shade and benches (seen in photo background. There is even a bridge that has some old rails lining it's side to complete the ambiance.
The Old Number 9 Trail is just one of the many things that make Boerne such a unique and appealing place to live and/or raise a family.
Interested? The Hill Country Dream Team is here to help you find your home. Let us help you make your hill country dreams come true!
