Buckhorn Saloon & Museum (San Antonio, Texas)
Encyclopedia
The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum is a a privately-run museum located at 300 E. Houston Street in San Antonio in the U.S. state
of Texas
. Originally privately owned by Albert Friedrich, the Buckhorn became a tourist attraction for its unique collections. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were reputed to frequent the establishment. Housed in 1956 in the Old Lone Star Brewery, the collection passed to Friedrich's heirs who had it moved to its current location.
and Kaiser Wilhelm I among those who owned his creations. Albert was born in San Antonio in 1864, and would have been 17 years old when he began his horn collection.
In its early years, Friedrich would swap a drink for anyone who would bring in a set of horns to be displayed. The collection became known as the Buckhorn Hall of Horns. A collection of firearms and a mirrored bar were added to the collection of horns. The saloon was reputed to be frequented by Theodore Roosevelt
and his Rough Riders
during the time period that the Rough Riders were deployed to San Antonio.
went into effect, Friedrich could no longer sell alcohol. In 1922, he relocated his business to 400 W. Houston Street, renaming it Albert's Curio Store and eventually the Buckhorn Curio Store and Cafe. In 1956, the Buckhorn Saloon and the Buckhorn Hall of Horns collection were restored at the Old Lone Star Brewery on 200 West Jones Avenue. The collection added a 1964 Hall of Fins, as well as a 1973 Hall of Feathers.
changed owners in 1977, the Buckhorn collection was sold off. Mary Friedrich Rogers, granddaughter of Albert Friedrich, and her husband Albert Rogers, acquired the collection in 1997. The collection was moved to 300 E. Houston Street and became managed by Twisthorn Holdings and the Buckhorn Museum and Saloon Limited. The Hall of Texas History Wax Museum portion of the Buckhorn depicts historic events in Texas. The museum has its own Texas Ranger Museum, which is not affiliated with the official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
in Waco
. In addition to the horn collection, a visitor will also find rattlesnake art, and memorabilia of both Native Americans
and the cowboy culture. Some of the exhibits include The Carnival of Curiosities and The American Sideshow.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Originally privately owned by Albert Friedrich, the Buckhorn became a tourist attraction for its unique collections. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were reputed to frequent the establishment. Housed in 1956 in the Old Lone Star Brewery, the collection passed to Friedrich's heirs who had it moved to its current location.
Albert Friedrich
The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum began as a private collection of Albert Friedrich (1864–1928) in 1881. He was the youngest son of Wenzel and Agnes Urbaneck.Friedrich. The elder Friedrich was an award-winning cabinetmaker who expanded into horn furniture and included Queen Victoria, Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck
Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg , simply known as Otto von Bismarck, was a Prussian-German statesman whose actions unified Germany, made it a major player in world affairs, and created a balance of power that kept Europe at peace after 1871.As Minister President of...
and Kaiser Wilhelm I among those who owned his creations. Albert was born in San Antonio in 1864, and would have been 17 years old when he began his horn collection.
First business establishment
Friedrich eventually acquired a saloon on Dolorosa Street and opened his collection for display in the saloon. The name and date of the first saloon is undocumented. In 1890, Friedrich purchased a seventy-eight point buck for $100. That buck remains on display in the museum. By 1896, Friedrich opened the first Buckhorn Saloon on the corner of Soledad and West Houston streets. Friedrich amassed his collection from his own hunting trips, and from other hunters and trappers, eventually acquiring the collection of a hunter named Capt. Ernest Dosch.In its early years, Friedrich would swap a drink for anyone who would bring in a set of horns to be displayed. The collection became known as the Buckhorn Hall of Horns. A collection of firearms and a mirrored bar were added to the collection of horns. The saloon was reputed to be frequented by Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
and his Rough Riders
Rough Riders
The Rough Riders is the name bestowed on the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments raised in 1898 for the Spanish-American War and the only one of the three to see action. The United States Army was weakened and left with little manpower after the American Civil War...
during the time period that the Rough Riders were deployed to San Antonio.
Lone Star Brewery
When ProhibitionProhibition in the United States
Prohibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
went into effect, Friedrich could no longer sell alcohol. In 1922, he relocated his business to 400 W. Houston Street, renaming it Albert's Curio Store and eventually the Buckhorn Curio Store and Cafe. In 1956, the Buckhorn Saloon and the Buckhorn Hall of Horns collection were restored at the Old Lone Star Brewery on 200 West Jones Avenue. The collection added a 1964 Hall of Fins, as well as a 1973 Hall of Feathers.
Mary Friedrich Rogers and current location
When Lone Star Brewing CompanyLone Star Brewing Company
The Lone Star Brewery, built in 1884, was the first large, mechanized brewery in Texas. Adolphus Busch, of Anheuser-Busch, founded it along with a group of San Antonio businessmen. The castle-like building now houses the San Antonio Museum of Art. Lone Star beer was the company's main brand. It was...
changed owners in 1977, the Buckhorn collection was sold off. Mary Friedrich Rogers, granddaughter of Albert Friedrich, and her husband Albert Rogers, acquired the collection in 1997. The collection was moved to 300 E. Houston Street and became managed by Twisthorn Holdings and the Buckhorn Museum and Saloon Limited. The Hall of Texas History Wax Museum portion of the Buckhorn depicts historic events in Texas. The museum has its own Texas Ranger Museum, which is not affiliated with the official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas, is the state-designated official historical center of the famed Texas Rangers law enforcement agency. It consists of the Homer Garrison, Jr. museum gallery, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, the Texas Ranger Research Center and the Headquarters...
in Waco
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
. In addition to the horn collection, a visitor will also find rattlesnake art, and memorabilia of both Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
and the cowboy culture. Some of the exhibits include The Carnival of Curiosities and The American Sideshow.