Comanche is a country town that carries history from the Old West
Comanche was the site of one of the Old West’s most notorious shootouts. In May 1874, famed gunslinger John Wesley Hardin was celebrating his 21st birthday at the Jack Wright Saloon when Brown County Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb arrived. According to legend, Webb said he had an arrest warrant for a member of Hardin’s gang, which led to a gunfight that Webb did not survive. Hardin shot him and escaped, but was later arrested for the crime and served 17 years in prison.
The city is a bit less wild now, though there are nods to Hardin and its Old West roots throughout the area. Modern-day Comanche is a rural community with a growing restaurant scene and housing options that can fit many budgets. “I’ve lived here my whole life,” says Rylee Estrada, an aide at the Comanche Public Library. “I like the location. I like that I don’t have many close neighbors. We have a grocery store and two dollar stores. It’s just quiet and comfortable here.”
Ranch-style and traditional homes with small trees and other plants
The city has many older ranch-style homes that can range from $130,000 to $300,000. Larger traditional properties with lots of acreage or luxury amenities can run from $485,000 to $675,000. There are also parcels of land available for development, usually between $8,000 and $25,000 per acre. Yards commonly feature small and medium trees and bushes. The car-dependent community’s asphalt streets primarily lay in a grid-like pattern. Roads in residential areas often lack lane lines and sidewalks.
Casual eateries and upscale dining, plus a collection of retail shops
Most of the city’s restaurants sit along Central Avenue. Harvest La Crêperie serves French-influenced cuisine focusing on sweet and savory crepes. Junior’s Tacos & More is a casual eatery with daily lunch specials. The cash-only restaurant Star Beau’s has comfort food and homemade pies. J.W. Hardin Wine Company has a tasting room along Grand Street and two vineyards in Comanche County. The city has Brookshire’s and Dollar General locations. PJ’s Corner Market is known for its fresh produce and flowers. The Shops at Woven Roots is a collection of small retail stores and boutiques. The Comanche Market is held along East Central Avenue on the first Saturday of each month between March and December.
Comanche High School is undergoing a modern renovation
Students are served by the Comanche Independent School District. They can attend Comanche Elementary School, which receives a B Niche grade, as does HR Jefferies Junior High School. Comanche High School is undergoing a renovation set to finish during the 2026-2027 academic year. The project will include modern equipment, larger classrooms and a student commons. It earns a B score.
Fishing, disc golf, swimming and the Comanche County Museum
Comanche City Park features a disc golf course, walking trails and picnic pavilions. The city pool opens each summer, and residents can reserve it for private events. Other green spaces are just outside the area, like Promontory Campground, which sits on Proctor Lake and offers fishing, boating and small-game hunting opportunities. Par Country Club offers public tee times for its 18-hole golf course.
The Comanche County Museum tells the region's story, including a recreation of the Jack Wright Saloon where Hardin and Webb had their shootout.
The Comanche County Pow Wow draws visitors from across the region
The annual Comanche County Pow Wow celebrates the region’s history and features live performances from the Sahawe Dancers, a Native American youth group. It has been held for more than 40 years. “Last year they had a petting zoo, and it was pretty exotic,” Estrada says, noting that she was able to pet a wallaby, a smaller relative of the kangaroo. Comanche Christmas brings three days of festivities each December, including a tree-decorating event and a parade.
First Baptist Church Comanche participates in Community Rehab each summer, a weeklong event where small crews repair area homes through roofing, painting and siding.
Access to major highways and an 80-mile drive from Abilene Regional
U.S. Route 377 runs east and west through the city center, as Texas Highway 16 does north and south. Comanche is around 30 miles from Brownwood and close to 110 miles from Downtown Fort Worth. Abilene Regional Airport is about an 80-mile drive. City and Rural Rides, or CARR, provides on-demand transportation for Comanche residents. Rides must be requested at least one day in advance. Comanche County Medical Center has 24 beds and 24/7 emergency department. Tornadoes and other severe storms can affect the area.
