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Buckhorn Saloon & Museum (San Antonio) facts for kids
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| Established | 1881 |
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| Location | 318 E. Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas, US |
| Type | Wildlife exhibits Shooting gallery Texas Rangers exhibit |
| Founder | Albert Friedrich |
The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum is a special museum in San Antonio, Texas. It's located at 318 E. Houston Street. This museum started as a private collection owned by Albert Friedrich. Over time, it became a popular place for visitors because of its amazing and unique displays. It's even said that Theodore Roosevelt and his famous group, the Rough Riders, used to visit this place. The collection moved to its current spot after being housed in the Old Lone Star Brewery for many years.
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How the Buckhorn Museum Started
The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum began with a man named Albert Friedrich (1864–1928). He started collecting things in 1881. Albert was the youngest son of Wenzel and Agnes Urbaneck Friedrich. His father was a very skilled cabinetmaker. He even made furniture using animal horns for famous people like Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm I.
Albert's First Business
Albert Friedrich eventually bought a saloon on Dolorosa Street. He started showing his collection there for everyone to see. We don't know the exact name or date of his first saloon. Around 1890–1895, Albert bought a deer head with seventy-eight points on its antlers. This amazing piece is still on display at the museum today.
By 1896, Friedrich opened the first Buckhorn Saloon. It was at the corner of Soledad and West Houston streets. Albert collected many items from his own hunting trips. He also got things from other hunters and trappers. He even bought a large collection from a hunter named Capt. Ernest Dosch.
In the early days, Albert would trade a free drink for anyone who brought in a set of animal horns. This is how his collection grew so much! The collection became known as the Buckhorn Hall of Horns. Later, firearms and a special mirrored bar were added. People say that Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders often visited the saloon. This was when the Rough Riders were in San Antonio.
Moving to the Lone Star Brewery
A time called Prohibition began in the United States. During this time, it was against the law to sell alcohol. Because of this, Albert Friedrich could no longer sell drinks at his saloon.
In 1922, he moved his business to 400 W. Houston Street. He changed its name to Albert's Curio Store. Later, it became the Buckhorn Curio Store and Cafe. In 1956, the Buckhorn Saloon and its Hall of Horns collection were moved to the Lone Star Brewery. More collections were added over time. These included the Hall of Fins in 1964 and the Hall of Feathers in 1973.
The Museum Today
In 1977, the Lone Star Brewing Company got new owners. The Buckhorn collection was sold. But Albert Friedrich's granddaughter, Mary Friedrich Rogers, and her husband Wallace Rogers, bought the collection back in 1997.
The collection was moved to its current home at 318 E. Houston Street. It is now managed by Twisthorn Holdings and the Buckhorn Museum and Saloon Limited.
What You'll See at the Buckhorn Museum
The Buckhorn Museum shows mounted wildlife from all over the world. This includes mammals, birds, and fish. There are more than 520 different kinds of animals! You can see fish from all the oceans and animals from every continent.
Some of the most famous displays include a deer head with 78 points, called the Brady Buck. There's also a huge 1,056-pound black marlin, which holds a world record. You can see a longhorn steer with horns that spread 8 feet wide! The museum also has the first gorilla ever shown to the public in the United States. The famous comedian Carol Burnett, who grew up in San Antonio, said the gorilla used to scare her when she was a child.
Texas Ranger Museum
The Texas Ranger Museum has real items from the Texas Ranger Division. These include handguns, shotguns, badges, and old photographs. The museum also has Ranger Town. This is a recreated street that looks like San Antonio at the turn of the century. It has a copy of the old Buckhorn Saloon, a jail cell, and a blacksmith shop. You can also see a copy of the 1934 Ford V8 Deluxe. This was the famous getaway car used by Bonnie & Clyde. It's important to know that this Texas Ranger Museum is not connected to the official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco.
Other Interesting Displays
Besides the horn collection, you can find art made from rattlesnakes. There are also items that show the history of Native Americans and the cowboy culture.
Hall of Texas History Wax Museum
The Hall of Texas History Wax Museum is part of the Buckhorn. It shows important moments and people from Texas history using wax figures.
SA Live- KSAT-TV
The Buckhorn Museum is sometimes used as a location for the SA Live television show.
Gallery
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Museum entrance
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Postcard, around 1904–1918
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Flag celebrating 200 years of the Texas Rangers in the Texas Ranger Museum
See also
- List of museums in Central Texas
- San Antonio Sporting District