Town of the Week

Junction, Texas
January 20, 2001

Head over to Junction, Texas; just listen in.

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A cotton-puff sky reaches down to meet the rise of the west Texas hill country. From below an ancient limestone aquifer, uncountable springs bubble freely, feeding crystal clear streams that rush past the pecan and cedar-lined hills. That water is collected by the north and south branches of the Llano River, whose influence gives the town its name. Junction, the perfect place to meet.

You can find out about Junction's history in the local Kimble County Museum, including the Native American legend of Lover's Leap, where a couple from two different and warring tribes, leaped to their death in the Llano River rather than be apart. As the self-described front porch of the west, Junction hosts two rodeos each year, the twist-off bullriding events in may and the Summer Classic Rodeo in August. Over 300 miles of pure flowing streams allow a visiting fisherman or woman open season all year long on all types of fish, including bream and scrappy giant yellow cats. In the hills around Junction, hunters search out the elusive Texas turkey, and native whitetail deer. In fact, one of Junction's most-photographed attractions is a deer horn tree.

One of Texas' new favorite attractions is the south Llano River State park, and the Walter Buck Wildlife Preserve. The Texas Tech University Junction Campus provides summer classes and facilities throughout the year. The campus also hosts an annual international kite builder's rally - an extremely colorful event. 100 miles northwest of San Antonio on interstate 110, this is the home of the Golden Eagles, and our Town of the Week, Junction, Texas.