Bat tower. Humans have always been fighting mosquitoes and losing. In the early 20th century, a global crisis was caused by malaria, a deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes. In 1907, former San Antonio Mayor Albert Steves (his family home in the King William District is now owned by the San Antonio Conservation Society) joined with the city health officer Dr. Charles A.R. Campbell to design a man-made bat house with the hopes it would attract bats. After all, a single bat could consume thousands of mosquitoes in its nightly foraging.
Campbell designed the slender pyramid-shaped tower standing 30 feet tall and covered in cedar shingles. The upper portion of the tower was for the bats, while the lower portion was for maintenance. A 7-foot clearance under the tower allowed wagons to collect the guano, a valuable fertilizer. Steves had one built in 1918 on his Comfort property (his descendants still own the ranch) and called it a “hygieostatic bat roost,” using the Greek words for “health” and “standing.” There were 16 of the bat condos built. Some worked better than others in attracting the flying mammals with a voracious appetite for flying insects. This is the last of the original bat roosts. A replica replaced the one in Orange that collapsed. In 1919, the Texas Legislature nominated Dr. Campbell for the Nobel Prize.
The hygieostatic bat roost continues to house a bat colony. It is approximately 1.5 miles east of Comfort on the south side of the road at 109 RM 473. The tower is on private property but is visible from the highway behind some trees.
Bloody Bill. Texas was a violent place in the years following the Civil War. The Union Army was stretched thin as it tried to exert control of local governments and law enforcement during the Reconstruction era. Conquered Confederates were resentful of the occupation and the newly freed Black population. William Preston Longley was 14 years old when the war ended in 1865. In 1868 he killed and robbed his first victim – a former slave named Green Evans. Over the next 10 years he would become known as one of the deadliest gunfighters in the Old West.
Born in Austin County, Wild Bill Longley grew up around what is now Lincoln, north of Giddings in Lee County. Tall and lean with jet-black hair, Longley left a bloody trail as he drifted around the state. In the end he claimed to have killed 32 people, but the number was probably closer to eight. Most of them were unarmed former slaves but included a preacher and a woman. He was finally executed for killing a childhood friend. At the time of his death, he was disappointed to learn that John Wesley Hardin had killed more people than he had and was sentenced to only 25 years. Longley was the main guest at a hanging in Giddings on Oct. 11, 1878, five days after his 27th birthday. His earthly remains were laid to rest in the Giddings City Cemetery west of town off what is now U.S. Highway 290.
Bloody Bill Longley probably would have died in obscurity had his legend not grown when his name was used in novels and TV shows. His burial place is marked by the stump of a petrified wood marker. The grave is a short distance inside the westernmost gate under a tree on the right.
Travel Notes:
National Fishing Day. Once a year the state allows anglers to fish any public body of water without a fishing license. This year the event is on Saturday, June 6. The hope is you’ll get hooked on a lifelong passion. To help novice anglers learn the ins and outs of fishing, the Friends of Inks Dam are hosting a Free Fishing Day at Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery in Burnet on June 6 from 8am to 1pm. Gear, bait, and tackle are provided, and you can take home any fish you catch. In Kerrville, Fishing’s Future is hosting an event as part of Community Day at Kerrville-Schriener Park offering free fishing, knot tying, and casting lessons.
Rest a spell. The newly remodeled Faust Hotel in New Braunfels is now open and welcoming guests. Opened originally in 1929 as The Traveler’s Hotel, the four-story brick hotel was renamed in 1936. Along with 45 updated rooms, the hotel includes a new restaurant, an upgraded lobby bar, and a speakeasy in the basement. The central business district is a block away and the Comal River is a short drive from the hotel at 240 S. Seguin.
Dog and the butterfly. In May, Texas Discovery Gardens in Dallas began welcoming well-behaved dogs with a new $5 Doggie Pass. Dogs under 50 pounds can join their humans for a garden stroll. Service dogs are always welcome. Dogs must be on a short leash, and all pups must follow garden guest rules. This is good news for visitors traveling with their four-legged companions.
The two-step is back. When the usually placid Guadalupe River ran out of control on July 4, 2025, one of the businesses especially hard-hit was Crider’s Rodeo and Dance Hall outside of Kerrville on TX-39 near Hunt. The 102-year-old open-air dance hall, cafe, and rodeo arena have been rebuilt and are better than ever. The iconic rodeo event started with a Fourth of July fundraiser in 1925. In the 1930s it became a Hill Country Saturday night tradition between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The cafe opens at 6:30pm, the rodeo kicks off at 8pm, and the dance goes from 9pm to 1am. Tickets for the rodeo and dance are $15 while 12 and under get in free.
About 4 million female bats inhabit the Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve outside of Mason and about an hour north of Fredericksburg from May and through September. Peak season is in late July when the pups join their mothers in searching for bugs in the night. Join Texas Nature Conservancy staff on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from May 29 through Sept. 6 for open nights to watch millions of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from their cave at twilight.
New park. Texans will soon have another new state park. On May 27, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the acquisition of almost 54,000 acres in Edwards and Kinney counties. The property, which will become Silver Lake State Park, is Texas’ second largest state park behind Big Bend Ranch. The Moody Foundation gifted its ownership interest of Silver Lake Ranch, totaling 87.5%, to the state. TPWD purchased the remainder of the property interest for $11.85 million with funds from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and sporting goods sales tax. A former sheep and cattle ranch, the rugged landscape includes a 30-acre spring-fed lake. TPWD plans to develop the park in phases. Initial access could include guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure improvements are underway. Later phases will add trails, basic visitor facilities, and eventually expanded recreational amenities such as camping and paddling access. An opening date hasn’t been announced.
Other June Events:
BIG BEND
Agave Festival
The West Texas town pays tribute to the local plant with tastings, dining, and music.
June 4-7, Marfa, www.agavemarfa.com
Big Bend Sentinel Centennial
A weekend of music, art, conversation, and parties to celebrate a century of independent local news with a performance by musical legend Jimmie Dale Gilmore and friends.
June 19-21, Marfa, bigbendsentinel.com
GULF COAST
Artist Week/Mural Fest
Artists will be working on new murals in downtown leading up to the festivities around the unveiling with music, food, and public art.
June 1-6, Corpus Christi, www.visitcorpuschristi.com/blog/post/your-guide-to-mural-fest-in-corpus-christi
World Ocean Day Festival
With interactive exhibits, the Beautify the Bucket art contest, live music, and art workshops, the festival is fun and educational for ocean lovers of all ages.
June 6, Galveston, www.visitgalveston.com
Galveston Steampunk Festival
Take a step back in time through machines, performances, and costumes and immerse yourself in the world of Steampunk.
June 5-7, Galveston, www.visitgalveston.com
Juneteenth Celebration
The island city hosts several days of festivities for Juneteenth, a holiday that originated in this historic Texas island city.
June 5-19, Galveston, www.visitgalveston.com
Czech Kolache Klobase Festival
Polka music, sausage plates, and those delightful little pastry pillows of fruit – what could make a better Saturday?
June 13, East Bernard, www.kkfest.com
HILL COUNTRY
“Lives and Literacy in Ancient Egypt”
An immersive exhibition that brings to life the voices of a multilingual, multicultural society from Greco-Roman Egypt features rare papyrus manuscripts that revolutionized communication in the ancient world.
Now through Aug. 2, Austin, www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions
Abendkonzerte
Since 1860, the Boerne Village Band, the oldest continuously active German band outside of Germany, has entertained locals and visitors alike.
June 2,16, 30, Boerne, www.ci.boerne.tx.us/1732/Abendkonzerte
Lavender Festival
Nothing cools the savage beast of Texas heat like lavender lemonade along with music, vendors, and local foods on the town square.
June 5-7, Blanco, www.blancolavenderfest.com
School Open House
This month four rural schools around Fredericksburg will open their doors for a peek into how children were once educated.
June 6, 13, Gillespie County, www.historicschools.org
Barrels + Bites
Take an intimate self-guided tour of Hill Country wineries with behind-the-scenes barrel tasting or curated food and wine pairing at more than 20 participating wineries.
June 12-14, various locations, texashillcountrywineries.org
Texas Water Safari
The world’s toughest canoe race takes off from San Marcos’ Spring Lake and sprints past low-water dams and hallucinations to Seadrift on the coast.
June 12-15, San Marcos, www.texaswatersafari.org
Fredericksburg Craft Beer Festival
The local Rotary Club-sponsored festival celebrates five years of local and regional craft beer, music, and community service from 11am to 6pm.
June 13, Fredericksburg, fbgcraftbeerfestival.com
Star Party
The Austin Astronomical Society offers guided tours of the night sky at Inks Lake State Park.
June 20, Burnet, tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/inks-lake/fy-26/june/star-party
Dino Discovery Day
Visitors will get hands-on with real fossils, explore dinosaur science, and learn about the incredible prehistoric history found in the Texas Hill Country.
June 20, Johnson City, www.sciencemill.org
Fredericksburg Summer Music Institute
The inaugural classical music series features visiting artists, advanced college students, and artist faculty performing nightly concerts. General admission tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
June 23-27, Fredericksburg, fbgsummermusic.com
PANHANDLE PLAINS
Texas Route 66 Festival
Celebrate the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary with 10 days of special events.
June 4-13, Amarillo, www.visitamarillo.com
Children’s Art and Literacy Festival
“The Storybook Capital of America” invites all ages to celebrate children’s illustrated literature and commemorate the publication of A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh in October 1926.
June 11-14, Abilene, www.abilenecalf.com
TEXAS Outdoor Musical
The official play of Texas is set against the splendor of Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
June 11-Aug. 1, Canyon, www.texas-show.com
PINEY WOODS
Great Texas Balloon Race
While the pilots compete for prizes there are plenty of events for spectators to enjoy on the ground.
June 12-14, Longview, www.gtbr.net
Tomato Fest
The Tomato Capital of Texas celebrates the red orbs that are both fruit and a vegetable with lots of fun activities and the world’s largest bowl of salsa.
June 13, Jacksonville, www.jacksonvilletexas.com/tomato-fest
Texas Blueberry Festival
The sweetest festival of them all honors the local berry farms with tours, music, craft vendors, and lots of blueberry-inspired foods.
June 13, Nacogdoches, www.visitnacogdoches.org
Texas Shakespeare Festival
The Bard’s work comes alive with plays performed in the Van Cliburn Auditorium.
June 25-July 26, Kilgore, www.texasshakespeare.com
PRAIRIES AND LAKES
Trash Pickup on the New Property
Lockhart State Park recently acquired 188 new acres; unfortunately, some of that new property is covered with trash. Join the trash pickup party to help clean it up from 9-11am.
June 6, Lockhart, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lockhart
“Mandela: The Official Exhibition”
Making its debut in Texas, this exhibition explores the life of one of the world’s most recognizable champions of freedom and justice: Nelson Mandela.
June 13 – Nov.1, Dallas, www.aamdallas.org
Juneteenth Cultural Festival
Known as Freedom Day, the event celebrates the day 250,000 enslaved Black people were freed in Texas on June 19, 1865, with a banquet, parade, and festival at Fisherman’s Park.
June 19-20, Bastrop, www.visitbastrop.com/events/bastrop-juneteenth-celebration
Watermelon Thump
Honor the local farmers with a seed spitting contest, a carnival, music, food, and more fun downtown.
June 25-28, Luling, www.watermelonthump.com
SOUTH TEXAS
Fiesta Noche del Rio
One of San Antonio’s most colorful and beloved traditions on the San Antonio River Walk celebrates local music, dance, and culture.
June 5 – Aug. 1, San Antonio, www.nochesa.com
Pride Tour
Celebrate Pride Month with a guided tour of the San Antonio Museum of Art that spotlights the contributions of queer artists and examines historical artworks that celebrate queer lives, challenge stereotypes, and promote inclusivity.
June 6, San Antonio, www.samuseum.org
190th Anniversary of the Burial of Fannin’s Men
The living history program illustrates the June 1836 of the burial of the 342 dead at Presidio La Bahia.
June 6, Goliad, thc.texas.gov/events/order-providence-burial-fannins-command
“Puro Conjunto: Border(less) Sound”
This new exhibit explores conjunto music as one of Texas’ most vital and enduring cultural expressions featuring artifacts central to the genre – some of which will be on display for the first time.
June 11 – May 30, San Antonio, texancultures.utsa.edu
Bat Walk
Take an evening stroll in the Medina River Natural Area to observe Texas bats in the twilight sky and use a special digital tool to “hear” their ultrasonic echolocation sounds.
June 26, San Antonio, anc.apm.activecommunities.com/sagov/home
OUT OF STATE
Opening Day
The 19.3-acre campus of the Obama Presidential Center opens to the public in Jackson Park. Entry is by timed ticket only.
June 19, Chicago, IL, www.obama.org/visit
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 30 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.
