San Saba, Texas is the “pecan capital of the world" and a senior retirement community in the Hill Country.

San Saba TX History

In 1855, ranchers and cotton growers first settled the banks of the San Saba River, where the settlement got its name. Following the Civil War and the Reconstruction Period, the cattle industry grew and trail driving became an important factor in the economy of San Saba. Today, the county is predominantly a ranching area with wool and mohair the chief sources of farm income.

In the early 1870’s, Edmond E. Risien arrived in the county from England. He found a light-colored, thin-shelled pecan that he named San Saba. He planted an orchard of 600 trees using this nut as seed and waited 12-14 years for the trees to bear. Then, by a process of cross-pollination and selection, he gave the industry such varieties as Onliwon, Squirrels Delight, San Saba Improved and Western Schley.

Pecans are indigenous to the county and have been a cash crop as early as 1857. Possibly some of the trees were growing here when Columbus came to America. In 1919, the county produced 3.5 million pounds of pecans and sixty train carloads were shipped out. No other state in the union produced one-half that many in 1919. Normal production for the county is two to five million pounds. Thus, San Saba claims the title “Pecan Capital of the World”.

San Saba Texas – Texas Hill Country Retirement

Today, San Saba Texas is a charming retirement and vacation town located deep in the Hill Country.