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Attraction >Museum
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Description and Basic Information ::
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The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum has been in continuous operation since 1881. Opened by Albert Friederich as Albert’s Buckhorn Salon, it offered patrons a unique opportunity -”bring your deer antlers and you can trade them for a shot of whiskey or a beer.”
Albert’s father, Wenzel Frederich, made the furniture for the saloon, using horns and antlers. Throughout the l880’s, the collection continued with cowboys and hunters bringing in animals of all kinds including a “78 point buck” that was acquired for $100 and put on display at the Buckhorn. In 1891, Albert’s bride, Emile Durr, added rattlesnake rattles to the list of acceptable barter items.
As a regular in 1898, Teddy Roosevelt began recruiting Roughriders in the saloon. Will Rogers and O’Henry were regulars. With prohibition in 1920, the saloon became the Buckhorn Curio Museum. In l921, the Horn Palace (Buckhorn’s competition) closed and Frederich acquired that collection which included “Old Tex” a world record longhorn steer.
Lone Star Brewing Company purchased the collection in 1956, opening under the name of Lone Star Buckhorn Hall of Horns adding the Hall of Fins in 1964 and the Hall of Feathers in 1973.
In 1998, when Lone Star Brewery closed and new owners Stroh’s Beer moved the brewery to Longview, Albert Friederich’s descendants acquired the collection in order to keep it in town.
On Dec 22, l998, the new museum opened on Houston Street, just a few blocks from the original l881 location. In the mammoth room with 30-ft ceilings, a 90-foot cherry wood replicated bar awaits to quench any thirst.
Containing more that 3500 horned-game animal trophies, 70 mounted aquatic specimens and a bull elephant, it is located near the Riverwalk and is a two block walk from the Alamo. The entire facility can be rented for groups up to 1800. |
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