Llano County, Texas

Llano County
Llano County
County
	The Llano County Courthouse in Llano
	Location within the U.S. state of Texas
	Texas's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 30°43′N 98°41′W / 30.71°N 98.68°W
Country	United States
State	Texas
Founded	1856
Named for	Llano River
Seat	Llano
Largest city	Horseshoe Bay
Area
• Total	966 sq mi (2,500 km2)
• Land	934 sq mi (2,420 km2)
• Water	32 sq mi (80 km2) 3.3%
Population (2020)
• Total	21,243
• Density	22/sq mi (8.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	11th
Website	www.co.llano.tx.us

Llano County (/ˈlænoʊ/) is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 21,243.^[1] Its county seat is Llano,^[2] and the county is named for the Llano River.

History

The Tonkawa tribe were the first inhabitants.^[3]
1842 April 20 – Adelsverein^[4] Fisher-Miller Land Grant sets aside three million acres (12,000 km²) to settle 600 families and single men of German, Dutch, Swiss, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian ancestry in Texas.^[5]
1844 June 26 – Henry Francis Fisher sells interest in land grant to Adelsverein
1845 December 20 – Henry Francis Fisher and Burchard Miller sell their rights in the land grant to Adelsverein.
1847 Meusebach–Comanche Treaty^[6] Bettina commune, last Adelsverein community in Texas, is established by a group of free thinking intellectuals, and named after German liberal Bettina Brentano von Arnim. The community fails within a year due to lack of any governing structure and conflict of authority.^[7]^[8]
1860 Population 1,101 – 21 slaveholders, 54 slaves^[3]
1862 One hundred Llano County volunteers join Major John George Walker Division of the Confederate States Army.
1864 April – A cavalry company is formed in Llano County under Captain Brazeal to defend the area from Indian attacks. It served under Brig. Gen. John David McAdoo until the war's end, when it disbanded in June 1865.
1873 August 4 – Packsaddle Mountain becomes the site of the region's last battle with the Indians. The county's farming economy begins to grow after threats of Indian attacks cease.^[9]
1892 June 7 – Llano branch of Austin and Northwestern Railroad arrives^[3]
1893 Completion of County Courthouse, designed by Austin architect A O Watson^[10]
1895 Llano County Jail erected by the Pauly Jail Building and Manufacturing Company of St Louis, MO^[11]^[12]
1900 Frank Teich establishes the Teich Monument Works^[13]
1901 Llano Women's Literary Society organized – 16 charter members^[3]
1901 The Victorian style Antlers Hotel, a railroad resort in Kingsland, opened for business.

Darmstadt Society of Forty

Count Castell^[14] of the Adelsverein negotiated with the separate Darmstadt Society of Forty to colonize 200 families on the Fisher–Miller Land Grant in Texas. In return, they were to receive $12,000 in money, livestock, and equipment, and provisions for a year. After the first year, the colonies were expected to support themselves.^[15] The colonies attempted were Castell,^[16] Leiningen, Bettina,^[17] Schoenburg and Meerholz in Llano County; Darmstädler Farm in Comal County; and Tusculum in Kendall County.^[18] Of these, only Castell survives. The colonies failed after the Adelsverein funding expired, and also due to conflict of structure and authorities. Some members moved to other Adelsverein settlements in Texas. Others moved elsewhere, or returned to Germany.

Library book bans

Llano county libraries were purged of books containing sex education and discussion of racism in 2021 and 2022 by county commissioners. Titles removed include In the Night Kitchen, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, and Between the World and Me. Librarian Suzette Baker in Kingsland was fired for her refusal to remove books from the shelves. The library board voted unanimously to close its meetings to the public in 2022.^[19]^[20] After a lawsuit was filed, a federal judge ruled in March 2023 that at least 12 of the books must be placed back onto shelves.^[21] In response, county commissioners considered closing the library in a special meeting.^[22] They have appealed the decision by the federal judge.^[23]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 966 square miles (2,500 km²), of which 934 square miles (2,420 km²) are land and 32 square miles (83 km²) (3.3%) are covered by water.^[24]

Enchanted Rock, a designated state natural area and popular tourist destination, is located in southern Llano county.

Two significant rivers, the Llano and the Colorado, flow through Llano County. These rivers contribute to Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, and Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, which are all located partially within the county.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

San Saba County (north)
Burnet County (east)
Blanco County (southeast)
Gillespie County (south)
Mason County (west)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	1,101	—
1870	1,379	25.2%
1880	4,962	259.8%
1890	6,772	36.5%
1900	7,301	7.8%
1910	6,520	−10.7%
1920	5,360	−17.8%
1930	5,538	3.3%
1940	5,996	8.3%
1950	5,377	−10.3%
1960	5,240	−2.5%
1970	6,979	33.2%
1980	10,144	45.4%
1990	11,631	14.7%
2000	17,044	46.5%
2010	19,301	13.2%
2020	21,243	10.1%
U.S. Decennial Census^[25] 1850–2010^[26] 2010^[27] 2020^[28]

**Llano County, Texas – demographic profile**
(*NH = Non-Hispanic*)
Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010^[27]	Pop 2020^[28]	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	17,303	17,530	89.65%	82.52%
Black or African American alone (NH)	102	97	0.53%	0.46%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	87	115	0.45%	0.54%
Asian alone (NH)	76	121	0.39%	0.57%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	5	4	0.03%	0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	11	61	0.06%	0.29%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	175	807	0.91%	3.80%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,542	2,508	7.99%	11.81%
Total	19,301	21,243	100.00%	100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

As of the 2000 census,^[29] 17,044 people, 7,879 households, and 5,365 families resided in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km²). There were 11,829 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.3% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. About 5.1% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 7,879 households, 16.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were not families. About 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.56.

In the county, the population was distributed as 15.9% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 18.4% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 30.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,830, and for a family was $40,597. Males had a median income of $30,839 versus $21,126 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,547. About 7.2% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Notable person

Emil Kriewitz, who lived with the Penateka Comanche, served as guide for Fisher–Miller Land Grant settlers, 1870 Llano County justice of the peace, 1871 Llano County election judge, and was postmaster of Castell from 1876 to 1883. He was buried in Llano County Cemetery.^[30]

Politics

Llano County, in common with the Solid South, voted predominantly for Democratic presidential candidates well into the 1960s, with those voters being in the majority even in the 1928, 1952 and 1956 campaigns, with both races from the 1950s featuring native son Dwight D. Eisenhower heading the Republican ticket. This trend reversed itself beginning in 1972 and has become more pronounced, beginning in 2000.

United States presidential election results for Llano County, Texas^[31]
Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
Year	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	10,079	79.61%	2,465	19.47%	116	0.92%
2016	8,299	79.44%	1,825	17.47%	323	3.09%
2012	7,610	79.62%	1,822	19.06%	126	1.32%
2008	7,281	75.62%	2,250	23.37%	98	1.02%
2004	7,241	75.72%	2,257	23.60%	65	0.68%
2000	6,295	72.97%	2,143	24.84%	189	2.19%
1996	4,290	55.45%	2,633	34.03%	814	10.52%
1992	3,056	41.96%	2,409	33.08%	1,818	24.96%
1988	3,550	57.24%	2,629	42.39%	23	0.37%
1984	4,042	67.89%	1,894	31.81%	18	0.30%
1980	2,866	56.23%	2,130	41.79%	101	1.98%
1976	1,947	45.03%	2,361	54.60%	16	0.37%
1972	2,164	73.53%	766	26.03%	13	0.44%
1968	1,079	38.19%	1,282	45.38%	464	16.42%
1964	655	27.47%	1,727	72.44%	2	0.08%
1960	704	38.26%	1,131	61.47%	5	0.27%
1956	672	39.32%	1,034	60.50%	3	0.18%
1952	840	43.21%	1,102	56.69%	2	0.10%
1948	253	15.06%	1,384	82.38%	43	2.56%
1944	198	12.87%	1,199	77.96%	141	9.17%
1940	238	13.78%	1,484	85.93%	5	0.29%
1936	107	7.59%	1,302	92.41%	0	0.00%
1932	108	8.08%	1,229	91.92%	0	0.00%
1928	439	46.07%	514	53.93%	0	0.00%
1924	88	8.17%	928	86.17%	61	5.66%
1920	184	16.85%	665	60.90%	243	22.25%
1916	72	8.86%	716	88.07%	25	3.08%
1912	29	5.32%	432	79.27%	84	15.41%

References

^ "Llano County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Speck, Ernest B. "Llano County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ Brister, Louis E. "Adelsverein". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ Ramos, Mary G. "The German Settlements in Central Texas". Texas Almanac. Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ "Comanche Indian Treaty". William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ German American annals. University of Michigan Library. 2010. p. 31.
^ Heckert-Green, James B. "Castell, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ Hazelwood, Claudia. "Packsaddle Mountain Fight". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ "Llano County Courthouse". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ "Llano County Jail". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ "Redtop Jail". Friends of the Llano Redtop Jail. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ "Frank Teich". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
^ Brister, Louis E. "Count Carl of Castell-Castell". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
^ King (1967) p. 122
^ Heckert-Greene, James B. "Castell, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
^ Lich, Glen E. "Bettina, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
^ Lich, Glen E. "The Forty". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
^ Gowen, Annie (April 17, 2022). "Censorship battles' new frontier: Your public library". The Washington Post.
^ Cooley, Brigid (March 4, 2022). "Llano County Library Advisory Board closes meetings to the public". DailyTrib.com.
^ Elassar, Alaa; Romine, Taylor; Rose, Andy (April 1, 2023). "Judge orders books removed from Texas public libraries due to LGBTQ and racial content must be returned within 24 hours". CNN. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
^ Freeman, Suzanne (April 10, 2023). "Llano County could close libraries". Daily Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
^ Freeman, Suzanne (October 17, 2023). "Llano library lawsuit trial date passes as appeal wait continues". Daily Tribune. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". US Census Bureau.
^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
^ ^a ^b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Llano County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
^ ^a ^b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Llano County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
^ Hadeler, Glenn. "Emil von Kriewitz de Czepry". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 26, 2018.