Riley's Tavern

Riley's Tavern, Hunter's oldest business, occupies a circa 1895 building that had been the Galloway Saloon and later the home of the Bernardino Sanchez family. In 1933, Texas became the 23rd state to vote for the repeal of Prohibition, and soon afterward J.C. Riley and his uncle drove a Model T to the state capitol in Austin to obtain the first license issued in Texas, number 00001. At the stroke of midnight on Sep. 14, 1933, 3.2% beer could be sold, and Comal County had enough stock to meet demand. Riley operated the business until his death in 1992, and the tavern, midway between Austin and San Antonio, became a popular destination for travelers for decades, including many from neighboring dry counties.

Texas · United States