Mormon Settlers in Bandera County
Bandera, Bandera County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Entered the year-old town of Bandera in March, 1854. Leader was Lyman Wight, church elder who had separated from followers of Brigham Young and taken a colony of 250 to Texas in 1846. Settling first in Austin, then Fredericksburg (where they opened grist and saw mills) the group at last established "Mormon Camp" near Bandera on the Medina River. There they built houses with vegetable gardens in between; milled grain; made furniture from native wood to sell in East. In 1858, after Wight's death, the colony dispersed, although a remnant remained in Bandera. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In March 1854 a band of Latter-day Saints led by church elder Lyman Wight settled near the year-old town of Bandera on the Medina River. Wight had broken with Brigham Young and brought a colony of 250 to Texas in 1846, moving from Austin to Fredericksburg—where they ran grist and saw mills—before founding "Mormon Camp." Here they raised houses with gardens between them, milled grain, and crafted native-wood furniture to sell back East. When Wight died in 1858 the colony scattered, though a remnant stayed on in Bandera.
Why it matters
The settlement is a reminder that the Latter-day Saint migration west splintered into many paths, and that German and Anglo Hill Country pioneers were joined by lesser-known religious colonies in shaping frontier Texas.
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Related people
- · Lyman Wight
- · Brigham Young
Related events
- · Latter-day Saint migration to Texas
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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