Polo, fiddles, electric typewriters give peek into Llano County past

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

LLANO — Jo Ann McDougall grew up in Llano County, where her father spent his entire career working for the Moss Ranch. Whenever she or a sibling became ill, usually right after a visit to the doctor, her mom would shepherd the children to the pharmacy in Llano.

“One of the things I always looked forward to at the pharmacy was the soda fountain,” she said. “Most pharmacies and drug stores had soda fountains back then. It was something that made the trip a bit more special.”

While the pharmacy is gone, McDougall can still enjoy the soda fountain — though sans soda. And she can take a seat at the fountain anytime she works at the Llano County Historical Museum, 310 Bessemer Ave.

“I’m sure glad we kept that,” McDougall said about the soda fountain, which takes up a corner of the museum. “It’s a part of Llano.”

The museum, which is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, holds a lot of Llano and Llano County in it. Most all the exhibits come from Llano County or have ties to the area. And that’s the focus of the museum.

“We’re trying to present the history of Llano County, Llano and its people,” said McDougall, who is also a museum board member. “It’s about telling the stories of Llano and the people through the exhibits and programs.”

As McDougall strolls around the museum, she points out exhibits, photos, books and artifacts that tie into the Llano County narrative. In one corner, large photos of a man in a polo uniform hang just above a mannequin and horse dressed in similar attire. It’s the Cecil Smith exhibit.

“At one time, he was known around the world for his polo and polo horses,” McDougall said.

That’s right: A man from a part of the country more known for cattle made a name for himself in the polo world because of his ability to train the ponies and play the sport.

Across the museum floor on the other side of the full-size chuck wagon sits a glass display case. On top, a Thomas Edison phonograph stands guard over the contents locked below. While Edison wasn’t from Llano County, the man who invented the electric typewriter was — James Fields Smathers.

“He was born over in Valley Spring,” McDougall said. “There’s a lot about Llano County people don’t know.”

One of McDougall’s favorite exhibits is the farm and ranch display tucked in one of the rooms. On the wall are a number of plaques bearing some of the various brands found in Llano County. An old wood stove stands, almost if ready to cook dinner, off to the side as people walk in. There’s old farm and ranch equipment.

An old spinning wheel sits amid the items. It features a large, wooden spinning wheel and a long, spindly seat. Not comfortable by any accounts.

Laurinda Hinds Faris spun thread and other material on the wheel. She lived in a home just outside of Llano, but not in recent days. She was born in February 1823 and passed away in January 1914. In between those two days, Faris raised a family, washed clothes, spun yarn and thread and carved a life for herself and her family just like so many other early Llano County settlers did during those years.

Those are the stories many museum visitors find fascinating.

“Not everybody is famous, but they all have stories,” McDougall said.

A visit to the Llano County Historical Museum reminds people of that simple concept.

daniel@thepicayune.com