Comanche County Visitors Guide Fall 2022

The Comanche Chief Welcomes you toComanche County, Texas

Welcome to The Comanche Chief -

A weekly newspaper, established in 1873 when Comanche County (Est. 1856) was at the most west ern edge of the Texas Frontier. It is the oldest business institution in Comanche County, and it is the oldest newspaper published west of Fort Worth. From the day it was established until today, the primary goals of The Comanche Chief are to be in touch with the life of the community, to chronicle the births and deaths of its citi zens, as well as inform the community of county and city business, social gatherings, school activities, and to continue to promote Comanche County as a fine place to live, work, and raise a family

Many changes of ownership of The Chief continued throughout it’s history, beginning with Geraldo Alonzo Beeman, the first editor of The Chief in 1873, until James Claude Wilkerson purchased The Chief in the early 1920s. The parade of editors through the press doors stopped and offered stability of ownership, making The Comanche Chief almost synonymous with the Wilkerson name.

Since James Claude’s purchase of The Chief, the newspaper has been run by his sons James and Bill, his daughter-in-law Mary Smith Wilkerson, then from the early 1970s to 2017, his grandson, James Claude Wilkerson, III followed by his wife Nancy who took over in 2017. In the early 1990s, great-grandson Lance Wilkerson became a part of the business, and since 2014, another great-grandson, Bradley Wilkerson, has joined the staff and as of 2022 became the owner, publisher, and editor of the newspaper.

Contact us here at The Chief by:

E-mail: editor@thecomanchechief.com or bradley@thecomanchechief.com

Phone: 325-356-2636

Fax: 325-356-5380

Website: www.thecomanchechief.com

PO Box 927 Comanche, Texas 76442

Or swing by and visit with us at 203 West Grand Avenue, Comanche, Texas 76442

If we missed your advertisement or information for this fall issue of our visitors guide, please contact us to sign up for the spring issue. We look forward to hearing from you.

Comanche, Texas facts

Population in 2019: 4,197 (91% urban, 9% rural). Population change since 2000: -6.4% Males: 2,114 (50.4%) Females: 2,083 (49.6%) Median resident age: 41.6 years Texas median age: 35.1 years Zip codes: 76442. Estimated median household income in 2019: $49,577 (it was $26,773 in 2000) Comanche: $49,577 TX: $64,034 Estimated per capita income in 2019: $23,688 (it was $12,155 in 2000) Comanche city income, earnings, and wages data Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $100,839 (it was $38,100 in 2000) Comanche: $100,839 TX: $200,400 Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $110,819; detached houses: $119,251; mobile homes: $45,976 Median gross rent in 2019: $476. March 2019 cost of living index in Comanche: 75.2 (low, U.S. average is 100) Races: White alone 56.8%, Hispanic 41.3% Black alone 0.9%, Asian alone 0.3%

Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $100,839 (it was $38,100 in 2000) Comanche: $100,839 Texas: $200,400 Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $69,986 - $135,110 Mean price in 2019: Detached houses: $119,251 Here: $119,251 State: $268,991 Mobile homes: $45,976 Here: $45,976 State: $94,014 Comanche,TX index of house prices Total population: 4,242 (Urban population: 4,151 (all inside urban clusters), Rural population: 311 (all nonfarm)) Houses: 2,223 (1,752 occupied: 1,282 owner occupied, 469 renter occu pied) % of renters here: 27% State: 38% Housing density: 495 houses/condos per square mile Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos in 2019: $839,749. Median contract rent in 2019: $413 (lower quartile is $320, upper quartile is $466) Medi an rent asked for vacant for-rent units in 2019: $543 Median gross rent in Comanche, TX in 2019: $476 Housing units in Comanche with a mortgage: 449 (0 second mortgage, 9 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 847 Median household income for houses/ condos with a mortgage: $84,185 Median household income for apartments without a mortgage: $52,986 Median monthly housing costs: $513

More things to do in Comanche, Texas

Comanche has a little bit of an artistic flare.

This picture was taken in March of 2022 near the Coman che Square and now the building’s west side wall is covered with Sunflowers and other wildflowers on a colorful land scape.

More artistic flare can be seen at the Historic Comanche Museum at 402 Moorman Road or the Comanche Public Library at 311 N Austin St. and the Comanche Mercantile at 101 N Houston St.

Comanche also has some venues to let people unwind a little bit.

The Stone Eagle Beer Garden at 124 N Austin St in Comanche is a great place to grab a quality craft beer and catch some live music.

Another great place to unwind is at Brennan Vineyards located at 802 S Austin St. in Comanche. Come by for a wine tasting or grab a bottle of fine Texas wine. Another wine venue coming to Comanche is the J.W. Hardin Wine Co. which will be located at 101West Grand Street. Another vineyard just outside of Comanche, Cockrell Vineyards offers wine, specialty drinks and great wood fire pizza. And Tomahawks Pizza in Comanche is a great place to catch a game.

Comanche and the surrounding area have been a hot bed for pecan producers. And Comanche has two great retail stores owned by pecan producers.

There is Durahm-Ellis Pecan retail store located at 7200 Hwy 67/377 and Sorrells Farms Retail located at 409 E Cen tral Ave.

Both place are worth a stop and have great gift ideas as well.

Comanche off of Hwy 377/67 are Star Beau’s Restaurant at 134 W Central Ave and Miguel’s Restaurant at 1000 E Central Ave.

are many other great restaurants on the highway like Los Juanes Mexican and BBQ, Juniors Tacos and More and and Taqueria Guana juato. And more just off the highway. Try them all and let us know what you think.

The Historic Comanche Square offers more great shopping, retail and restaurants. The Historic Comanche Square is a true square surrounding the Comanche County, Texas Courthouse. There are several boutiques, great restaurants and places to relax and have a drink.

On the west side pictured above, there is the Comanche Mercantile, Soda Shop, Woven Roots and Geneva’s Designs bou tiques, City Center Cafe and Vivian’s nail salon.

On the north side there is Barbed Wire and Lace boutique, Kirkland’s Barber Shop, Saylor Reign boutique, and other retail businesses opening soon on the north side of the Historic Comanche Square.

There are many events that take place around the Comanche Courthouse Square as pictured to the right with the south side of the Comanche Square in the back ground. On the south side there is Star Beau’s Restaurant, real estate offices and more opportunities for eager business owners.

On the east side there is one of the best restaurants in Texas for the size of Comanche called Harvest Restaurant. It is 5 star quality in a small town. Other businesses include Stone Eagle Beer Garden with hosted events and lodging next door. Also an abstract office and fitness gym are located on the east side.

is held

day

One of the biggest events of the year is the annual Coman che Pow Wow which is held the fourth weekend in September

it was another big success for Comanche and the sur rounding

Another event that just took place was the Salt Lime & a Goodtime.

National Tequila Day and is held late in July in Comanche.

event

N’

Say hello to Brennan Vineyards, Brennan Vineyards was founded in 2001 by Dr. Pat and Trellise Brennan. Brennan Vineyards is located at one of the oldest remaining homesteads in Texas with the tasting room in the Historic McCrary House. The Historic McCrary House, located on the property of Brennan Vineyards, was built in 1879 by ‘Mat’ McCrary. Mat McCrary volunteered with the Minute Men Rangers.

Not only does Brennan Vineyards get their hands dirty in the soil of Comanche and the sandy soils over rock in Newburg, but they work one on one with grape growers from all across the state of Texas.

In a day and age where weather can be a wineries friend or foe, 100% Texas is the epitome of commitment to the Texas Wine Industry as well as the consumer. All Brennan Vineyards ‘Texas’ appellated wines are 100% Texas Fruit, and Texas produced.

While their own vineyards yield 10 different varieties of vitis vinifera grapes and sustains anywhere from 60-70% of their production, they also work with other growers across the state of Texas.

BRENNAN VINEYARDS CONTACT INFORMATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION:

Wednesday - Thursday: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday - Saturday: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tastings are available daily from noon to 15 minutes before closing. Tours are self-guided through the winery and are available during business hours.

The Tasting Room is located at: 802 South Austin Street, Comanche, TX 76442 E-mail or call at: 325-356-9100

For

Events in De Leon, Texas.

Two of the biggest yearly events in De Leon, Texas are the Peach and Melon Festival and De Leon Rodeo. The Peach and Melon Festival starts in early August which coincides with the cantaloupe and watermelon harvest. And the De Leon Rodeo is held in May.

De Leon, Texas facts

De Leon City Facts: Population in 2019: 2,198 (0% urban, 100% rural). Population change since 2000: -9.7% Males: 1,064 (48.4%) Females: 1,134 (51.6%) Median resident age: 41.9 years Texas median age: 35.1 years Zip codes: 76444. Estimated median household income in 2019: $43,794 (it was $19,563 in 2000) De Leon: $43,794 TX: $64,034 Estimated per capita income in 2019: $23,379 (it was $11,451 in 2000) De Leon city income, earnings, and wages data Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $92,707 (it was $34,900 in 2000) De Leon: $92,707 TX: $200,400 Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $86,696; detached houses: $93,685; mobile homes: $63,711 Median gross rent in 2019: $629. March 2019 cost of living index in De Leon: 78.2 (low, U.S. average is 100) De Leon, TX residents, houses, and apart ments details Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2019: 23.4% (26.5% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 41.9% for Black residents, 13.5% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 86.5% for American Indian residents)

The Durham Pecan legacy began in 1928, when W.M. Durham, Sr. had a vision of providing people with the freshest and highest quality pecans. He wanted to help people make a living during hard times, so he set up long tables for workers to shell pecans by hand, earning money when the pecan meat was weighed.

Our company is still family owned and operated after 85 years of business. Our mission remains the same, establish customers satisfaction and loyalty by providing quality products and services. Durham-Ellis Pecan Company makes its home in Comanche, Texas, snugly tucked among the hills of Central Texas. Our facilities cover over 130,000 square feet.

Events in Gustine, Texas.

Just a short drive down TX HWY 36 from Comanche is the town of Gustine. You can stop by the City Cafe for breakfast or lunch. And during the Fall season stroll by Littlejohns Farms and enjoy the pumkin patch and corn maze.

The biggest yearly event is the Gustine Homecoming held every year late in May. This past year they had Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commisioner as the grand marshal of the parade. Mr. Miller was an agriculture teacher at Gustine High School early in his career.

Gustine City facts: Population in 2019: 468 (0% urban, 100% rural). Population change since 2000: +2.4% Males: 248 (53.0%) Females: 220 (47.0%) Median resident age: 41.6 years Texas median age: 35.1 years Zip codes: 76455. Estimated median household income in 2019: $52,392 (it was $28,889 in 2000) Gustine: $52,392 TX: $64,034 Estimated per capi ta income in 2019: $20,320 (it was $12,666 in 2000) Gustine town income, earnings, and wages data Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $72,493 (it was $27,700 in 2000) Gustine: $72,493 TX: $200,400 Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $166,862; detached houses: $184,667; mobile homes: $52,645 Median gross rent in 2019: $610. March 2019 cost of living index in Gustine: 77.4 (low, U.S. average is 100)

Events in Proctor, Texas.

When you want to get away head to Proctor. Proctor Lake and Proctor Area Recreational (P.A.R.) Country Club are an outdoors person paradise.

Proctor Lake is a great place to fish and enjoy recreational boating and skiing. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, welcomes you to Proctor Lake, located near Comanche, Texas at 2180 FM 2861. The mission of Proctor Lake is to conduct flood risk management operations in North Central Texas, to provide water supply, and to offer recreational opportunities.

And the PAR Country Club offers a great golf course, swimming pool, bar and restaurant to fill your needs. The club is located at 1658 FM 2861 near Comanche.

Country Pickens Cafe and Taquito Millonario are other Proctor Lake restaurants to fill your stomach after a round of golf or day on the lake.

Comanche County, Texas schools

The Comanche County area has five schools to fit your family’s needs. The biggest school district in the county is the Comanche Independent School District, with the administration office located at 200 E. Highland in Comanche. Comanche High School boost a beautiful campus and has tons of extra curricular activities located at 1600 N. Austin.

The Comanche Elementary School and Comanche Early Childhood Center help shape young minds for the future. The elementary school is located at 308 FM 3381 and the early childhood center at 200 E. Highland. More information about Comanche ISD can be found at www.comancheisd.net or by phone at 325-356-2727

The H.R. Jefferies Comanche Junior High located at 1 Valley Forge Dr offers just as much activities as the high school.

Comanche

Health

Comanche County Medical Center: 10201 TX HWY 16, Comanche, Texas 76442 www.comanchecmc.org

Hospital: 254-879-4900 Clinic: 254-879-4910

Pharmacy: 254-879-4980

Billing: 254-879-4900 Ext. 5507

AccelHealth: crosstimbersinc.org

1100 W. Reynosa Ave., De Leon, TX, 76444. 254-893-5895

Family Medicine, Family Dental Care, Behavioral Health

Corner Stone Family Medicine: mycornerstonedoc.com 408 N Austin St, Comanche, TX 76442 325-356-1135

Richard W. Byrd, MD: 201 Valley Forge Dr, Comanche, TX 76442 325-356-5595

Comanche Dental- Dr. Ryan L. Seegmiller DDS: www.comanchedental.com 203 Valley Forge Dr, Comanche, TX 76442 325-356-5263

Sorrells Farms comprises over 1200 acres of sandy farm land in the heart of Texas, Comanche County. Since 1977 Sorrells Farms have been major suppliers of pecans, watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, jalapenos and peaches.

TEXAS

(325) 356-3616

who like a

There is

which is a little west of the

Gustine ISD is located at 503 W.

www.gustine.esc14.net

call 325667-7303

Sindey ISD is located at 4100

to www.sidney.esc14.net or call 254-842-5500.

is

School, Comanche located at 1008 S Austin St in Comanche, www.premiercomanche.com

call 325 356-9673

Agricultural & Hunting in Comanche County

Agriculture and hunting are big business in Comanche County, Texas.

From Texas A&M AgriLife

Comanche County is dependent on agriculture and agribusiness for income. Annual Ag income averages around 150 million dollars with the bulk of the income from dairy, beef, hay, pecans, peanuts, melons and silage. A growing industry is recreational leasing for hunting and fishing as well as agri-tourism, nature tourism, birding and eco-tourism. These enterpris es have a tremendous future as the metroplex moves closer each year.

The Comanche County Extension staff provide educational programs in the area of dairy, pecans, beef cattle, meat goats, forages, environmental management, vegetable production, peanuts, 4-H youth and Family and Consumer Sciences. Educational programs include Forage Field Days, Manure Technology Tours, Leon River TMDL Updates, Meat Goat Pro duction, Comanche Cow Clinic, Walk Across Texas, Better Living for Texans, Vegetable Production Shortcourse and more. Extension Agents have daily radio programs on area FM and AM stations as well as weekly columns in 3 newspapers. Subject matter newsletters include Dairy, Livestock, Melon, Pecan, FCS, 4-H Youth, and Peanuts.

Comanche County Listings 2022-2023 Hunting Seasons

County Seat: Comanche

It is the responsibility of the hunter to be aware of restricted areas in counties

Alligator: Non-core, General Season: Apr. 1 - June 30, 2023

Bag Limit: 1 per person per year

Dove: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement & HIP Certification

Required Central Zone: Regular Season: Sept. 1 - Oct. 30, 2022, Dec. 17, 2022 - Jan. 15, 2023: Daily Limit: 15 white-winged, mourning and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, to include no more than 2 white-tipped

Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit

Legal Shooting Hours: From one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Falconry: Nov. 18 - Dec. 4, 2022

Daily Bag Limit: 3 in the aggregate

Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit

White-tailed Deer: Archery Endorsement Required for Archery Hunting, North Zone: Bag Limit: 4 deer, no more than 2 bucks, and no more than 2 antler-less, all seasons combined.

Antler Restrictions: The bag limit in this county is two legal bucks, but only ONE may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater.

A legal buck deer is deemed as a buck deer with: at least one unbranched antler; OR an inside spread of 13 inches or greater (does not apply to a buck that has an unbranched antler). A hunter may also take ONE buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater in a different county with antler restric tions, and not to exceed that county’s bag limit.

Antlerless Deer: No MLDP tag is required to hunt antlerless deer unless MLDP antlerless tags have been issued for the tract of land.

MLDP: If MLDP buck tags have been issued for a property, harvest is by MLDP tag only and all bucks must be tagged with a MLDP tag. If MLDP antlerless tags have been issued for a property, harvest is by MLDP tag only and all antler less deer must be tagged with a MLDP antlerless tag. The landowner or designated agent are responsible for providing MLDP tags to the hunters on MLDP properties. All hunt ers using MLDP tags are required to possess a Resident or Non-resident General hunting license. Archery Only: Oct. 1 - Nov. 4, 2022

General Season: Nov. 5, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023

Youth-Only: Early Youth-Only Season: Oct. 29 - 30, 2022 Wild Turkey: Fall North Zone Bag Composition: Either sex Bag Limit: The annual bag limit for turkey, in the aggregate for all counties, is four (4), no more than one of which may be an Eastern turkey.

Archery Only: Oct. 1 - Nov. 4, 2022

Youth-Only: Oct. 29 - 30, 2022, Jan. 2 - 15, 2023

Fall Season: Nov. 5, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023

Bag Limit: The annual bag limit for turkey, in the aggregate for all counties, is four (4), no more than one of which may be an Eastern turkey.

Spring: Rio Grande - North Zone Bag Composition: Gobblers or Bearded Hens Bag Limit: The annual bag limit for turkey, in the aggregate for all counties, is four (4), no more than one of which may be an Eastern turkey.

Youth-Only: Mar. 25 - 26, 2023 May 20 - 21, 2023, Spring Season: Apr. 1 - May 14, 2023

Texas Bank of Comanche (325) 356-3781

Located at 200 W Central Ave, Comanche, TX 76442

Lobby Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Drive Through Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

TEXAS BANK OF COMANCHE EMPLOYEES: Pictured from left to right, back row, Sean Bridges, Zach Rodri guez, Juve Sierra, Rosa Duran, and John May. Front row, Blahney Mordes, Elizabeth Hancock, Shey Suiniga, Sherry Whiteside, and Tessa Nance. They are always ready to greet you with a smile and a helping hand.