Have you ever described a place as “just a wide spot in the road” or a “one stop-light town?" You might be tempted to refer to D’Hanis, Texas that way, but there is definitely more to it than is seen at first glance. For one thing, there are several sites for good eatin’, two intriguing places to spend the night, and enough Texas history and photography possibilities to keep you busy long enough to unpack your bedroll.

Originally settled by 29 Alsatian families as one of the colonies set up by Henri Castro, the community began with farmers. It still has many farmers, with large fields of corn, cotton, vegetables and sunflowers filling the landscape for many months of the year.

Other settlers were drawn to the area by Ft. Lincoln, an army post north of the current town, which provided both protection and jobs. The village eventually became a stage stop and by 1869 there were enough families with children to need a school. St. Dominic’s opened with nuns from the Sisters of Divine Providence serving as teachers. The community grew to include four general stores, a dance hall, saloon, grist mill and two hotels. By 1910 there were two brick manufacturing plants, one of which remains in business today. In 1908 St. Anthony School was built to replace St. Dominic’s school and church, which had burned. A newspaper, the D’Hanis Star, served the area from 1908 until 1923. Many issues of this paper are still available on microfilm at the nearby Hondo Library.

The one stoplight is actually a blinking light, along Hwy 90 right at “downtown D’Hanis” (rhymes with Janice); downtown is one block of red brick buildings over one hundred years old. At one end of this block is the former Red and White General Merchandise store, which later became the Nutrition Center. The community often meets here for food and fellowship after home football games. In years past the block has been home to a confectionary, beauty salon, saloon, meat market, saddle and leath ...

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