Silence Aloud

The Mission San Antonio came about in 1718, giving rise to what is now the city of San Antonio, one of the must-see cities for anyone traveling through Texas, famous for The Alamo and its River Walk.  Everyone knows to take a look at these two sites, but I wonder how many people know to travel to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, now more of a cafe than saloon, with a curio store that’s known as the “World’s Oddest Store.”  This is a necessary stop for history buffs, because the saloon and museum has operated continuously since 1881, one hundred and twenty-nine years.

In 1881, the saloon opened as Albert’s Buckhorn Saloon, on Dolorosa Street.  Albert Friedrich had a unique twist, encouraging customers to bring in deer antlers which could be traded for a shot of whiskey or a beer.  The owner’s father, Wenzel Friedrich, used the antlers to make handmade horn furniture for the saloon.  Through the 1880s, the collection of horns and trophies grew as cowboys and hunters kept bringing in the antlers.  Ten years later,  Albert included rattlesnake rattlers in the deal, and his new wife, Emilie Derr, made artwork and signs from the rattlers.  In 1898, the saloon became  a destination spot for celebrities and presidents, such as Teddy Roosevelt, Will Rogers, and O. Henry.  In 1920, Prohibition kept people from ordering drinks, but rather than go out of business, the saloon became the Buckhorn Curio Museum.  By 1921, the Buckhorn Saloon had one of the largest displays of horns and antlers; the next year, the saloon moved to a new space on Houston Street and South Flores Street.  Friedrich bought a full-sized gorilla and placed it in the front window of the saloon, and the gorilla becomes known as “The Guard” of the Buckhorn.  In 1956, the Lone Star Brewing Company bought the Buckhorn Collection and displayed them as the Lone Star Buckhorn Hall of Horns.  By 1998, the granddaughter of Albert Friedrich acquired the collection back, which had grown.  Not only was there now a Hall of Horns, but a Hall of Fins and a Hall of Feathers.

The fame of the Buckhorn Saloon spread world wide during World War I and World War II as soldiers from San Antonio talked about the unusual bar, and I can easily imagine checking into one of the hotels in San Antonio, relaxing in luxury and comfort, a place to rest after a long drive or plane flight, and then head out on the town, making the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum (and its amazing collections) one of the first stops of the night.

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1. New York and the Museum