Checking out Comanche

We had to watch our timing for this road trip because Dave had a

Dave with Royal King, member of
the American Quarter Horse Hall
of Fame

particular restaurant he wanted to try in Comanche. We made it to the town early enough for lunch and to spend a good deal of time walking around the town looking at Texas Historical Markers and Comanche County Historical Markers. The historical society for this county is very active and has obviously done lots of research. What they have posted is interesting and sometimes quite humorous.  We’re planning a trip back to Comanche for several reasons, not the least of which is to take a look at the markers we missed.












Comanche and Comanche County were named for the plains Indians, but before either was established a military road, called the ‘Corn Trail’, ran through the area to supply forts and boost the likelihood of folks traveling here to settle. Army engineers built this military road in 1850; by 1855

Fleming Oak

thirty to forty families had settled in the surrounding area. In about 1854 a father and son camped on what is now the county courthouse square. When a group of hostile Indians rode near their campsite, they hid behind a rather large oak tree to save themselves; the tree was named the Fleming Oak in their honor. It was protected from being cut down for many years by a family member, Uncle Mart, who finally convinced the city fathers to make this oak a permanent part of the history around the square. About two years after the occurrence at the oak, the Comanche was established. The town was incorporated in 1858 when John Duncan offered 240 acres on Indian Creek for the location of a county seat. Once his gift was accepted, Ransom Tuggle laid out the town site; the first house was built by T. J. Nabors.





The modern courthouse sits on a square that is surrounded by historical markers. Under the shade of the Fleming Oak are a bunch of historical

Left: Old Cora Courthouse
Right: Current Courthouse

markers along with ‘Old Cora’. The ‘Old Cora Courthouse’ is one of the oldest standing wooden courthouses in Texas. It was actually someone’s house before the county was organized in 1856. It is a ‘picket house’, a structure made of logs cut and split on the ground, then set vertically in a ditch, and covered with boards. The town of Cora was supposed to be the county seat, but the seat was moved to Comanche in 1859. ‘Old Cora’ reverted to a residence; it has been moved several times, and finally settled on the courthouse grounds, and restored. The town of Cora has disappeared, but at least one of its buildings remains.

Comanche got a post office was in 1860 and a newspaper, the Comanche Chief, in the early 1870s. Geraldo Alonzo Beeman, the first editor, began publication on August 21, 1873. The newspaper's goals

Comanche Chief Building on the left

were to encourage settlers to come to the area, and to push for protection and improvement of the Comanche residents’ lives. It did meet these goals by getting the Texas Rangers to patrol the area and to sell off extra public school lands. The town began to grow once the Indian tribes were sent to a reservation in Oklahoma, and the Comanche Chief began reporting on social, political, and the daily life of the residents of Comanche. Other newspapers came and went, but The Comanche Chief continued. The Wilkerson family purchased the paper in 1925; it remains the oldest business in Comanche County.

As a supply base for Texas ranches, Comanche attracted settlers because of the availability of transportation. Numerous businesses patronized the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway, and a daily stage

Train depot, now the
Chamber of Commerce

took folks to far flung destinations. By the early 1900s the town had become a flourishing farm to market and transportation center. By the end of World War II the population had grown, along with the addition of a cheese plant, pecan and peanut shelling plants, granaries, and wool/mohair businesses. The city grew, adding a public swimming pool, a public library and other businesses concerned with the marketing and processing of peanuts, fruits, and livestock. There are also manufacturers of camping trailers, air-conditioners, cattle feeds, peanut products, and leather goods. The city also boasts a county airport, two hospitals, several nursing homes, and a home for handicapped children. The latest census figures show that the town of Comanche has about 4,300 people. What’s interesting is that a town this small has a ‘linen tablecloth’ restaurant. For information about my rating system, see Reading the Reviews.

Four carrots

The Harvest Restaurant (112 N Austin St, Comanche, TX 76442, 325-356-2374) is listed as a ‘fine dining’ restaurant and this is absolutely correct. Dave decided to try the French Dip. He was amazed at the

Top L to R: Logo, French Dip sandwich
Bottom L to R: Dining room, Caesar salad

amount and quality of the meat that was on the sandwich. The fries were crispy and hot, making a nice complement to the spiciness of the au jus served with the sandwich. My chicken on my salad had been prepared once I ordered and the fresh taste was unmistakable. I also enjoyed the house-made croutons and the texture of the Caesar dressing. Service was excellent; our waiter was able to talk about not only what we ordered, but what would be on the menu for the fall. We will be returning for dinner to sample some other offerings from the two chefs.

Comanche Chief for
whom the town is named

©2018 NearNormal Design and Production Studio - All rights including copyright of photographs and designs, as well as intellectual rights are reserved.