Llano County () is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 21,243. Its county seat is Llano, and the county is named for the Llano River.175px|right
200px|right|thumb|Cactus in spring bloom in rural Llano County
History
The Tonkawa tribe were the first known inhabitants of the region before European settlement.
European settlement began by April 20, 1842, with the founding of the Adelsverein Fisher-Miller Land Grant, setting aside three million acres (12,000 km<sup>2</sup>) to settle 600 families and single men of German, Dutch, Swiss, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian ancestry in Texas. By June 26, 1844, Henry Francis Fisher sold his interest in the land grant to the Adelsverein, and by December 20, 1845, both Fisher and Burchard Miller had sold their remaining rights to the organization. In 1847, the Meusebach–Comanche Treaty was signed, and the Bettina commune, named after German liberal Bettina Brentano von Arnim, was founded as the last Adelsverein community in Texas. However, the commune failed within a year due to a lack of governing structure and conflict of authority. By 1860, the population had reached 1,101, including 21 slaveholders and 54 slaves. Progress continued with the arrival of the Llano branch of the Austin and Northwestern Railroad on June 7, 1892, In 1895, the Llano County Jail was erected by the Pauly Jail Building and Manufacturing Company of St Louis, MO.
By the turn of the 20th century, Teich Monument Works was established by Frank Teich, along with the Llano Women's Literary Society was organized a year later in 1901 with sixteen charter members. of the Adelsverein negotiated with the separate Darmstadt Society of Forty to colonize 200 families on the Fisher–Miller Land Grant in Texas. In return, they were to receive $12,000 in money, livestock, and equipment, and provisions for a year. After the first year, the colonies were expected to support themselves. The colonies attempted were Castell, Leiningen, Bettina, Schoenburg and Meerholz in Llano County; Darmstädler Farm in Comal County; and Tusculum in Kendall County. Of these, only Castell survives. The colonies failed after the Adelsverein funding expired, and also due to conflict of structure and authorities. Some members moved to other Adelsverein settlements in Texas. Others moved elsewhere, or returned to Germany.
Library book bans
Llano county libraries were purged of books containing sex education and discussion of racism in 2021 and 2022 by county commissioners. Titles removed include In the Night Kitchen, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, and Between the World and Me. Librarian Suzette Baker in Kingsland was fired for her refusal to remove books from the shelves. The library board voted unanimously to close its meetings to the public in 2022. After a lawsuit was filed, a federal judge ruled in March 2023 that at least 12 of the books must be placed back onto shelves. In response, county commissioners considered closing the library in a special meeting. They have appealed the decision by the federal judge.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which are land and (3.3%) are covered by water.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a designated state natural area and popular tourist destination, is located in southern Llano county.
Two significant rivers, the Llano and the Colorado, flow through Llano County. These rivers contribute to Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, and Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, which are all located partially within the county.
Major highways
- 20px State Highway 16
- 20px State Highway 29
- 20px State Highway 71
- 20px State Highway 261
Adjacent counties
- San Saba County (north)
- Burnet County (east)
- Blanco County (southeast)
- Gillespie County (south)
- Mason County (west)