Albert Friedrich

Albert Friedrich opened Albert's Buckhorn Saloon in 1881 on Dolorosa St. downtown where he offered patrons a drink in exchange for antlers. His father Wenzel Friedrich provided his famed horn furniture for the saloon.  The saloon changed locations downtown a number of times in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and significant patrons included Teddy Roosevelt, writer O. Henry, and later cowboy Will Rogers.  The antler collection grew extensively and was eventually purchased by the Lone Star Brewing Company in 1956.  When the Lone Star Brewery moved operations to Longview, Texas, the granddaughter of Albert Friedrich acquired the collection and re-opened it as the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum at 318 E. Houston St. where it remains today.   (Buckhorn Museum Website: www.buckhornmuseum.com; and "Buckhorn Saloon" by Donald E. Everett. Excerpted from the Handbook of Texas Online - www.tshaonline.org © Texas State Historical Association).