It was 1947 when the ranch had its grand opening. Life magazine showed up for a fashion show and they had a great day of fun and took a bunch of photos. The photos can be seen on line under Fashion Rodeo Flying L Ranch. I sometimes wonder what it was like that day when the dream of having a ranch that you could fly into became a reality. This was the dream of Col. Jack Lapham a pilot with the Army in WW2. Col. Lapham did a lot of planning which included the Pilot's Lounge seen in the picture and the Villa's here at the ranch that were to look somewhat like an airplane. There was lots of activity and the ranch became a favorite destination for pilots, hunters, cowboys and folks that just wanted to get away from that big city every once in a while. People like John Wayne, Gregory Peck, The Cisco Kid and Poncho have all had their time hangin' out right here in Bandera at the ranch.
I have talked to a lot of folks that spent time at the Pilot's Lounge; some had their wedding party there over fifty years ago. One family came back to the ranch, had a reunion and brought thirty- five family members to the same place it all started. What an event it was.
Ruth Herr rode a horse and buggy from Chicago to Bandera in 1949 and worked at the ranch for two years, that was when they filmed one of the series of the Cisco Kid here. In the Ruth Herr room at the ranch you can see a telegram sent to Ruth and the ranch thanking them for taking care of the crew while they filmed the show.
I hope you will continue with me on a journey back in time as we bring back life and history to the Flying L's Pilot's Lounge and hangar.
I'll see you soon,
Buck Shannon
A rendering of the Pilot' Lounge
This picture of the Big Oak in front of the main house taken in the early 50's.
This picture of the Big Oak in front of the main house taken in the early 50's.
