Granbury and Hood County are rich in frontier folklore and Texas history. Granbury is a door to yesteryear, with Victorian architecture and charming country spirit. Hood County's most salient landmark, a sacred Indian mesa known Comanche Peak was recognized by early explorers, Indians, travelers and buffalo hunters. Comanche Peak is west of the Brazos River, in old Indian territory. The Brazos River was the "dead line", separating Comanche territory from Anglo settlements east of the river. Hood County's first settler was Charles Barnard, an entrepreneur from the Northeast. He and his brother, George, established an Indian trading post near Waco, and expanded their business in 1847 to include a second trading post on the Brazos River. Charles brought his spouse, Juanah Cavasos, to this area. Juanah was a Comanche Indian captive ransomed by the Barnard brothers Other stalwart pioneers began to settle in Hood County during the 1850's. Among them were Davy Crockett's widow, Elizabeth Crockett, and their son, Robert. Elizabeth and her family made their home in a primitive log cabin. Soon settlers began to venture west of the Brazos River. Among the first to settle on the west banks of the river was Thomas Lambert, who claimed land where Granbury now stands. He named the spring-fed creek that flows through Granbury "Lambert Branch." Men returning from the Civil War in 1865 began to settle Hood County which was created by a special act of the Texas Legislature in 1866. The legislature declared that the county be named for General John Bell Hood, a Confederate hero, and leader of the famed "Hood's Texas Brigade." The legislature also decreed that the county seat of the new county should be named Granbury for General Hiram B Granberry, another Confederate hero. After three elections were held, land donated by Thomas Lambert and Jesse and Jacob Nutt was selected. At that time, Hood County included all of Somervell County to the South. The residents of the southern section had favored a more central location nearer Comanche Peak. Granbury was established on the banks of the Brazos River. Both the first Courthouse and jail were log structures. Four or five saloons were erected on Granbury's Square. During the 1880's and 1890's, these log buildings were replaced by the native limestone structures that are still standing in Granbury today. Agriculture was the leading industry and cotton was the county's leading crop. Livestock, especially beef, dairy cattle, and hogs were important agriculture products. In 1887 the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railroad arrived in Granbury, bringing Hood County its first rail transportation. Colleges were established in both Granbury and the nearby town of Thorp Springs in the 1870's. Granbury College was located north of the town square and Add-Ran College in Thorp Spring was the predecessor of Texas Christian University. Prohibition was supported by the county's residents in the early 1900's causing all of Granbury's saloons to close. Carrie Nation visited Granbury in 1905 and local legend has it that she wielded her infamous ax through Granbury's saloons. The long-awaited damming of the Brazos River to create Lake Granbury had a tremendous impact on the growth and economy of Hood County. Today, thousands of residents and visitors enjoy Lake Granbury's recreational facilities. Granbury's highly successful historical preservation movement began in 1969 with the restoration of the Hood County Courthouse. The Granbury Opera House was restored in the early 1970's through a community-wide effort led by Joe Nutt. Historical preservation efforts continue today with restoration and protection for the building located in the Historical District..