Entry No. 14 — the Austin file — filed under: carriages
Buggy Barn Museum
More than 250 restored horse-drawn buggies, carriages, and wagons — pulled from 12 countries and spanning the 1800s to 1900s — fill a single barn, including pieces that have appeared on-screen in "1883" and "Killers of the Flower Moon," billed as the largest such collection in Texas.
The story
What started around twenty years ago when local fifth-generation Blanco resident Dennis Moore bought a single carriage to drive his kids to high school dances quickly turned into an obsession. Moore began scouring twelve countries and dozens of states to hunt down every rare variation of horse-drawn transport he could find, eventually establishing a non-profit museum in 2011 to house his overflowing collection.
Today, more than 250 restored buggies, carriages, and wagons—spanning the 1800s through the early 1900s—fill a single, high-density barn on Main Street. You'll find everything from utilitarian doctor's buggies and 1860s German hearses to hand-carved European carriages and heavy fire department pumpers. Hollywood took notice of the collection's authenticity: these exact vehicles have rolled on-screen in productions like "There Will Be Blood," the 2010 remake of "True Grit," "1883," "1923," and "Killers of the Flower Moon."
Step out back behind the main barn and you'll find Pine Moore, a full replica Old West studio town Moore constructed on the property. Complete with a saloon, jail, church, and marshal's office, it functions as a turnkey working set for film crews and gives the entire property the feel of a quiet ghost town hiding right off Highway 281.
What it's like
You aren't walking into a polished, corporate exhibit—you're stepping into a working barn stacked wheel-to-wheel with historical woodwork and leather. Each piece has printed history posted beside it, so you can walk the quiet rows at your own pace. Budget about two hours to cover the barn and the Old West set out back. Hours can fluctuate, so confirm they're open before making the drive down Highway 281, then walk two blocks into downtown Blanco for pie or coffee on the square when you're done.
The move: Wander the barn row by row picking favorites (doctor's buggies, ornate European carriages, working wagons), then walk two blocks into downtown Blanco for pie or coffee on the square — the museum itself recommends budgeting about two hours.
- 📍 Blanco
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1915 Main St, Blanco, TX 78606
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Museo Benini — Pair one collector's obsession with 1800s horse-drawn transport with an Italian-born artist's six-decade fine art estate on a Marble Falls ranch.
- Uncommon Objects — Follow up the restored historical wheels of Blanco with a trip into South Austin to hunt through 24 antique dealers' curated curiosities.
- Cathedral of Junk — Contrast a barn housing 250 meticulously restored period carriages with South Austin's three-story backyard labyrinth built entirely from salvaged scrap.
Good to know
How many carriages are in the collection, and where did they come from?
The museum houses over 250 restored horse-drawn buggies, carriages, and wagons sourced from 12 countries, spanning the 1800s to the 1900s.
Which movies and television shows have featured vehicles from the museum?
Carriages from the collection have appeared in films and series including "There Will Be Blood," "True Grit" (2010), "1883," "1923," "The Chosen," and "Killers of the Flower Moon."
What is the Western town located behind the museum?
It is Pine Moore Old West Studio, a full replica Old West town built on the property with a saloon, church, jail, and storefronts used as a film set and event venue.
How long should I plan for a visit?
The museum recommends budgeting approximately two hours to self-tour the barn collection and explore the exterior studio set.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia
last checked: 2026-07-20