The Dabbs
Railroad Hotel

The Dabbs Railroad Hotel: 1, 2, 3.

At the turn of the century, one could ride the rail from San Francisco, New York, or arrive in Galveston from Europe and travel to the end of the Austin and Northwestern rail line in front of the Dabbs Hotel on the Texas frontier. To go farther west, it was necessary to switch over to Wells Fargo stagecoach for the trip into Indian territory.

Located at the heart of the Texas Comanche Nation, the Dabbs Railroad Hotel is only 20 miles from the sacred granite mountain known as the rock of enchantment, where mass exodus would gather for solstice and equinox celebrations. Also in the area are many ancient Indian city sites that date back to 12.000 years B.C. There are photographs of Comanche cities near Llano in 1888 and ranchers allowed Indians to roam the river into the 20th century.

This historic region was the beginning of the Texas-Chisolm Trail and the town of Llano had many saloons and stock pens as far as the eye could see. Trail drives left for Kansas daily and, after tracks were laid to this region, cattle shipments grew to five train loads a day by 1929.

Originally called the city of crystals, the town of Llano is surrounded by thousands of square miles of granite crystals and is at the center of the largest Pre-Cambrian area on earth. The U.S. Census Bureau statistics show this crystalline area to have the second lowest death rate per population since the beginning of the Bureau until now. Robert E. Lee, with government troops, took the valley of crystals away from the Comanches in 1856 with the establishment of Fort Mason. European settlers discovered traces of almost every mineral known to man in this ancient valley. Gold, silver, and mass amounts of iron ore created a mineral rush to Llano from all over the world.

Once a part of a group of hotels located on the Llano River at the end of the tracks, the Dabbs Railroad Hotel is the last standing railroad hotel of the Victorian era. Dancing, exquisite restaurants, live theaters and canoeing on the river were the pleasures of the time. One could also ride out of the ancient underground city known as Longhorn Caverns to the large ceremonial rooms that were being used as a ballroom and dance the night away.

Bonnie and Clyde used the Dabbs as their favorite hide-away on the Llano River. Photos of them standing in front of the Dabbs exist dating from the 1930s.

Famous for being "home away from home," Dabbs Railroad Hotel has kept old-fashioned pleasures like sun-dried linens, delicious homemade meals and the rare luxury of no check-in or check-out times.

Surrounding the hotel are cool lawns, lush tropical gardens, goldfish ponds and easy access to the Llano River for swimming and fishing,. Having a central location, a stay at the Dabbs makes for easy shopping with historic areas in walking distance and short drives to attractions in the Texas Hill Country.

The original floor plan, services and menus have been recreated as they were in 1907 when the hotel first opened its doors to Austin steam trains and rail travelers arriving on the Texas Frontier.

Popular Amenities

  • Moonlight swims in the lagoon down by Red Rock.
  • Refreshing hydro massages beneath the waterfalls.
  • Raise your bedroom window and drift off to sleep with a cool river breeze across your bed.
  • After sunset, walk down the tracks to the old spooky train bridge and lie on your back to watch the Milky Way and falling stars.
  • Crackling fires on the beach with roasted marshmallows, s'mores and ghost stories.
  • Take a romantic winter stroll along the river and arrive back to a hot bowl of homemade soup and another log on the fire.

Texas western traditions and recipes are carefully preserved in every meal with cast iron skillets and the sweet smoke of mesquite wood.

Dining is always "All you can eat" and is prepared in the true chuckwagon and trail-drive styles.

A big country breakfast is served with all reservations which includes: homemade buttermilk biscuits, sweet cream gravy, hashbrowns, sliced garden tomatoes and cowboy coffee, guaranteed to get you ready for "drivin' them dogies up to Cowtown."

On Saturday, a western-style cook-out is served at sunset with slow-smoked mesquite carrots, squash, cabbage, potatoes, onions, chicken and crisp garden salads with fresh butter-milk dressin'.

Reservations

Dabbs Railroad Hotel is a white two-story building that sleeps 20-25. No pets, please. Please call 325-247-7905 for rates for

  • single/double occupancy rooms
  • leasing the entire property (including breakfast!)
  • campsites (comes with full services of the hotel)

Dabbs has been host to:

  • Weddings
  • Receptions
  • Reunions
  • Birthdays
  • BBQs
  • River Retreats
  • Staff Get-aways
  • Cycling Groups

Local Attractions:

  • Enchanted Rock
  • Fall Creek Vineyards
  • Llano River
  • Willow City Loop
  • Colorado River cruises
  • Highland Lakes
  • Ancient Indian Sites
  • Longhorn Caverns

Dabbs Railroad Hotel

Owner: Gary Smith "Man at his Best" - Esquire Magazine 1998

One of 50 Heavenly Weekend Escapes - Outside Magazine 2003

Top Ten Things to Do - Austin-American Statesman 1997

Winner in the Best of Austin Awards - Austin Chronicle Editors Poll 1992

Best Accommodations (Day Trip) - Austin Chronicle Readers Poll 1991

Best Bed & Breakfast - Austin Chronicle Readers Poll 1990

Also Endorsed by:

Llano Chamber of Commerce
The Homesteader
Texas Department of Transportation
The Dallas Morning News
"Texas" Houston Chronicle Magazine
Llano News
Highlander News
University of Texas, Daily Texan
Study Breaks Magazine Texas Life Magazine
Shifra Stein's Day Trips America Series
Texas Highways Magazine
San Antonio Express News
Journal of Texas Shortline RR
"Positively Texas" Fox 7 News
Statesman's XL Entertainment Magazine
Enchanted Rock Magazine
Fort Worth Star Telegram
Austin Chronicle Summer Fun Guide
West Lake High Summer Fun Guide
Study Breaks Magazine
Gear Head Magazine
15 Minute Press
Salt for Slugs Magazine
Country Home Magazine
Texas Life Magazine
Travel Holiday Magazine

Reservations

325-247-7905
Dabbs Railroad Hotel
112 E. Burnet Street
Llano, TX 78643