Stumbled Upon Camp Verde General Store, a Texas Hill Country Hidden Gem.

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Just a year ago we stumbled upon Camp Verde General Store in Center Point, Texas. One of the hidden gems in Texas Hill Country, in my opinion.

Camp Verde General Store is not only a nice gift shop, but it is also an eatery. It occupies a two-story historic building in town. I will tell you more about it after we find out its location.

Where is Camp Verde General Store located?

Camp Verde is located in Center Point in the Texas Hill Country. You probably like, “Where the heck is Center Point?” We didn’t even know there’s a town named Center Point until we came upon it last fall. I guess that’s why it became a hidden gem, right?

We just left Kerrville on our way to Bandera when I saw the road sign of Camp Verde General Store. Just around 9 miles south on highway TX-173 S from Kerrville-Schreiner Park where we stayed during our Thanksgiving road trip in Texas Hill Country.

Somehow the name rang the bell, so I asked my husband to make a stop. An unplanned stop that didn’t disappoint us at all.

So, Camp Verde General Store is located between Kerrvile and Bandera on TX-173 S, right by the highway. Here is the address: 

285 Camp Verde Rd. E, Center Point, TX 78010.

And here are approximately driving times from a few neighboring cities: 

Bandera: 15 min

Boerne: 35 min

Fredericksburg: 40 min

San Antonio: 1 hr

Camp Verde General Store, a hidden gem in Texas Hill Country

When we turned to Camp Verde General Store, we didn’t think it’s a store. We wondered if it’s an office or a lodge that carries the name General Store. There’s a historical mark by the door that made us intrigued.

So, I went out first to check whether it’s open and if it’s a public space. It was around ten in the morning and there were only two car parks in front of the building.

Peeping through the window, I saw a Christmas tree and Santa ornaments, but I was still not sure what it was. Maybe it’s the lobby of a boutique hotel? 

Then I saw a lady behind a counter so I went inside. After she told me it’s a store and made a quick browse, I knew I wanted to look around. Instantly I felt it’s my kind of store.

Camp Verde is not pet friendly, so our son waited outside with our dog Snoopy when my husband and I cruised inside. Then my husband went outside so our son could look around.

Like I mentioned above, Camp Verde General Store occupies a historic two-story stone structure of Southern colonial design. It was constructed after a flood swept away the original building around 1900.

Originally, the general store was established in 1857 to offer goods and services to the soldiers stationed at Fort Verde. By the time the US Army deactivated the fort, the General Store and post office had played an integral part in the surrounding community. It continued serving the growing number of pioneer ranchers in the area.      

Generally, the first floor of Camp Verde is divided into three rooms. The first room is the one in the middle when you enter through the front door. There are small mailboxes covered with Christmas ornaments on the left and an old bar on the right. Santa ornaments were all over the bar. At the back of this room is the counter where they sell jams and sauces.

To the right, the second but bigger room, is where we found kitchenware. It is really nice and seems like they have everything you look for. My husband was looking for jalapeno pepper cores but they didn’t have any. Oh, well. From here, there’s a stairs to take visitors to the second floor.

Then we saw a hallway towards another room. Apparently it’s a restaurant. Too bad we just had a full breakfast that we didn’t even have room for a cup of tea. It was quite full that morning. There’s a different entrance to the restaurant and I saw a bigger parking lot out there. Later my friend who lives in Boerne told me that Camp Verde restaurant serves delicious food. Then I read wonderful reviews about food and services in the restaurant. I guess I will have to make another trip here. 

Then we took the stairs to the second floor. Here we found more items like jewelry, candles, baby stuff, soaps, Christmas ornaments, and more. Also, we could see the spacious kitchenware room from the second floor.             

At another end of the room there’s another stairs to the first floor. It took us to a nook on the back left of the room, the third room. This is where you can see the bigger and the biggest old mail boxes. Here you can find old style restaurants and soft drinks signs and a few other merchandise.

I would say Camp Verde General Store offers high quality products. Therefore, prices are also high. Even though you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s always nice to browse around the store. It really is a neat store.

A brief history of Camp Verde

You will notice a metal camel in the yard once you arrive in the parking lot. Then another camel on the store sign. They are there because there’s a history behind it.

Camp Verde was started out as a US Army post in 1855. It was then used as a camel experiment, initiated by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. The idea was to use camels for supply transport and other military purposes. The camel was chosen for its ability to withstand Texas heat and arid conditions. So, they brought the camels from Egypt with its handlers.

While the camels did a good job, researchers noticed that other animals panicked at the smell of the camels. So, they decided to stop using camels and let them roam freely in the area. Egyptian handlers took the camels and used them to haul cotton to Mexico. Soon after, the camels were sold to different zoos and circuses.

In 1857, Williams opened a community store in the area. It was built to serve soldiers stationed at the fort. After he died in 1858, a German immigrant Charles Schreiner acquired the store. 

After Camp Verde was abandoned by the army, the store continued to operate as a post office for area residents. This post office closed in 1866, and reopened in 1887. However, the post office was closed again in 1892. Walter S. Nowlin re-established the post office and store in 1899.

Today, people still can shop at the store and eat at the restaurant.

A Verde Creek is running in front of Camp Verde General Store. While we were there, the fall colors were faded. I can imagine how beautiful it was when the cypress trees were burning with orange yellow colors at its peak. A beautiful spot to enjoy from picnic tables scattered in the yard.

So, while in Texas Hill Country, make a visit to this neat general store. Have breakfast or lunch, too. If you’ve been here before, let me know what you think about Camp Verde General Store.