Luckenbach, TX

When my friend Amy visited, we went to Luckenbach for the 4th. Some friends of ours were going, and we had never been, so we thought we would give it a try!

Luckenbach is a "state of mind, a Texas state of mind, where you can kick back, relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life - like a step back in time." That is the BEST way I can describe this, well, ex-town.

It was established in 1849 as a Trading Post, and then in 1886 a Post Office/General Store/Beer Joint were opened to make it an official town. A Cotton Gin was established not too far from the town, on the Grape Creek. It offered some success for the town, but not enough to keep it thriving. By 1970 the town closed the Post Office (officially making it not a town) and was put up For Sale. The new owner turned Luckenbach into an "imaginary town" with him as the "imaginary mayor." It was basically turned into a place to come and hang out, have fun, and relax.


TR: The old Post Office now converted to a Gift Shop
TL: The building where the "beer joint" and old post office lived
BR: The stage to sing is in the back, a building for somewhat modern-day bathrooms
BL: The "feed lot" is now a make-to-order place to get food

(And no, I am not making any of this up)

In 1973 Texas country-rocker came to Luckenback to record an album. It was the perfect laid-back Texas local backdrop for the band. The album, Viva Terlingua, went gold. Four years later Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman penned an idyllic ode to the burg "Luckenbach Texas (Back to the Basics)" which later became a huge hit for Waylong Jennings & Willie Nelson, ultimately bringing Luckenbach to world-wide fame.


The dancehall


Waylong Jennings Boots, and a common siting...many roosters walking around and a longhorn!

In the 90's, Luckenbach underwent a $75,000 repair for new wiring, septic system, and long-overdue improvements. For several years Willie Nelson tretured to Luckenbach for his annual 4th of July Picinic where thousands would attend.

Many Texas musicians still play there today, like the ones we listened to when we were there for the 4th. Every weekend there is a band played, cold beer, and longhorn steer to ride.



"Everybody's Somebody" in Luckenbach.