Johnson City & LBJ Ranch

Base of Pedernales Falls

 Saturday, we set off for the hill country.  We stopped first at Blanco State park.  They have some nice camping sites along the river.  Then on to Johnson City and Pedernales Falls State Park.  We were hoping to sneak up on Char and Denny.  We found their rig, but they were not at home.  We walked down to the falls. Due to the drought, they are really just a trickle. It was tough to see this beautiful part of Texas so stressed.

 In Johnson city, we decided to tour the LBJ boyhood home and then drive out to the LBJ ranch in Stonewall. During the years we lived in Texas, we never took the time.  On the right is LBJ's Boyhood home in Johnson City.  His mother who was a college graduate did not like living out in Stonewall (LBJ ranch site).  She wanted to live in town and teach. She taught speech and debate and was the school debate coach.  They moved into this house in town in 1913 when LBJ was five. Although, they had to move back to the ranch and rent the house during hard financial times, the house always remained in the Johnson

 family.  LBJ announced his bid for his first political office on the front porch. Most of the house has been restored with period furniture.  However, the writing desk in the corner is original and belonged to Rebekah Baines Johnson - LBJ's mother. 

 They had no electricity but they had a radio.  They would remove the battery from the car and hook up the radio to listen to the news of the world.  It was quite a luxury in those times.

The LBJ ranch in Stonewall is east of Johnson City.  After the visitor's center, the Junction School is the first stop.  LBJ started school here, when he was four years old.  He could already read and was allowed to start his education early.  He returned to this school house to sign the Elementary and Secondary Education Act which was a cornerstone piece of his "great society" reforms.

LBJ Birthplace (reconstructed)

LBJ was born on August 27, 1908 on this site.  His birthplace house was rebuilt by the president in 1964 to be used as a guest house. 

 After a drive around the still working ranch, which raises Hereford cattle, you arrive outside the airplane hanger which houses the small jet used to fly the president from Austin (where Air Force 1 stayed) to the ranch.  LBJ called this smaller plane Air Force 1/2.

 This is the "Texas White House."  Part of it was an original farm house built in the early 1900's. It belonged to LBJ's aunt and uncle.  LBJ purchased it in 1952. Over the years many world leaders visited the Johnson's here.  Inside, many gifts that were given to the Johnson's during the presidency are on display for visitors.  LBJ lived here until his death in 1973.

Lady Bird and LBJ

 He was 63. Lady Bird lived here part time until her death in 2007. She was 95.  She and LBJ are both buried at the ranch in the Johnson family cemetery. We enjoyed the tour and will return here.  It was enlightening to learn about the early life that helped shape the heart and mind of our 36th president. We highly recommend both the visitor's center and boyhood home in Johnson City and the driving tour of the LBJ ranch. 
We ended the day with a wonderful dinner with our friends Barbara and Jan.  Thanks for the great meal and company.  
Today the plan is for a little rest and football.  See you down the road....