Boerne Traffic
Back in May of 2007, a fellow from a big town newspaper called and wanted to know, as an old-timer, how I felt about the traffic in and around Boerne today. He left the message on the answering machine and I never called him back, but I have been thinking about his question.
My first thought was: in comparison to what and when? I can only imagine how the old-timers of the 1930’s felt when the automobiles spooked their horses, or horse and buggies.
Then came the forties and fifties. One old fellow would tie his paint horse to the utility pole in front of ‘Max’s Place’ while he drank beer for most of the day. In trying to leave and mounting his horse, on numerous occasions I saw this person throw himself completely over the saddle and onto the pavement on the other side. I don’t know if he was worried about the traffic or just couldn’t get mounted on his horse.
Another fellow would ride his beautiful black stallion the seven or eight miles from his ranch and have it prance up and down Main Street for all to see. Traffic was no worry, everyone stopped and watched his exhibition.
Saturday was a day when many of the country folks would come to town on their horses. Adam Warren had this buggy that was pulled by an old pony that surely came off Noah’s Ark. Adam was so heavy that the buggy leaned to the side where he rode. He had trouble getting on and off so he would drive to the front of a business and hit his cane on the side of the buggy to attract attention and the merchant would come out and serve his needs. As large as Adam was, traffic gave him the right of way.
Then there was Albert Washington. Albert has an old truck and also a paint horse. To save on gas (17 cents a gallon) he would usually use the paint. One of Albert’s ways of making money was to buy bones and rags and resell them in San Antonio. He would go around on his horse to let people know when he would be around to buy the rags and bones and then he would return later with the pickup to purchase the products. I don’t believe he let the traffic bother him. Life was too simple.
In the last few years I have heard numerous people talking about how they had lived in Boerne for so long they remember when there was only one traffic light. They could brag even more if they could remember when first there were two lights. Yes, there were two lights before there was just one. The first traffic lights in Boerne were installed at approximately the same time. One on the corner of Main and Blanco, and th either at Main and Theissen. Were they installed for traffic? No. They were installed to assist the children in crossing the street on the way to school. Ask Doug Dugosh what else the lights were used for.
Do I let the traffic bother me? Definitely not! I bypass downtown Boerne and go to Bergheim, Kendalia, and Sisterdale. And if I really want to see the bright lights I take a shopping trip to Comfort.
Published in 2011, the late John Eddie Vogt’s book, Witches, Bitches, and Other Small Town Folks, brings to life the quirky, unforgettable, and entertaining tales of growing up and living in Kendall County from the 1930s through the 1960s. Thanks to the gracious permission of his family—and proudly sponsored by Hometown Roofing—The Kendall Gentleman is honored to share excerpts from his book for your enjoyment.
