Harper is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Gillespie County. It is located in the heart of the Hill Country where it features its healthy climate. It was first settled by the preacher Matthew Taylor and the families of his children in 1863. However, on August 8th of the following year, Matthew went away with his son Jim for a load of hay. He left his son-in-law, Eli McDonald, to be in charge of their cabin. Jim’s wife was arrow-shot by the Kiowa Indians at the nearby spring. She was able to run home and warned the others but died shortly after, along with Eli. They captured six other family members, but Matthew’s wife managed to escape and hid in a cave of what is now known as Harper Community Park. Two decades later, the town was granted a post office, under the name Harper, after George Franklin Harper. The town became a large ranching area in 1985. As of 2010, its population was 1,192.
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