Cattle horn furniture is thought to have first appeared in America in 1876 when the Tobey Furniture Co. of Chicago displayed an upholstered sofa and chair with arms made of horns at the Chicago Industrial Exposition. It caught on quickly, and the making of items from horns grew and continued, tapering off around 1920. Chairs are the most common type of furniture; horn settees, horn tables, hall trees and hatracks were also made, but in lesser quantities. The making of things from cattle horns became a massive fad that swept across the country. Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois all produced their share of horn furniture. It was also made as far east as New York City and Leominster, Mass. Many pieces were made by individuals, in unknown locations, who only made one or two items, and their work is usually unmarked. Among the most talented, Herman Metz of St. Joseph, Missouri made about a dozen pieces of horn furniture and related items, none of which were offered for sale. Charles Fletcher and John Crane, both of St. Louis, made furniture as a business. Makers, such as Wenzel Friedrich, Charles Puppe and William Mittmann, all of San Antonio, made furniture in larger quantities over a period of several years. The Appel Bros. of Houston made horn chairs but, seemingly, in fewer numbers. To capitalize on the craze, some home furnishing companies added a line of cattle horn furniture by modifying some of their existing pieces. Most horn furniture and items made from horn were never marked, and the makers may never be known.

A popular tourist attraction, the Horn Palace Bar and Cafe was opened in 1912 by Billie Keilman and, toward its end, was located at 312 E. Houston. Often referred to as a roadhouse, the Horn Palace featured live bands and dancing, and was a point of attraction for up-and-coming musicians. Chicken dinners were a specialty. Customers could dine while sitting in horn chairs, which were also offered for sale. Billie Keilman is listed in the 1910 census as a saloonkeeper; was born in Bexar County, TX, 1875; and died Nov. 1925.

We don't know who made the Horn Palace chairs. In San Antonio's Witte Museum is a child's horn rocker made by Steve Brodie, around 1912, the year the Horn Palace opened. The chair is strikingly similar to the chairs in the Horn Palace. It may be that Brodie made chairs for Billie Keilman or, at least, had some connection with supplying them.

The Horn Palace, as it was commonly referred to, claimed to have the largest collection of horns, antlers, and mounted specimens in the world, numbering over 5000. In 1921, a gangland-style shooting occurred there, and Billie Keilman was shot and nearly killed. By 1922, the Horn Palace had closed, and the entire collection sold to Albert Friedrich of the Buckhorn, including the horn chairs, some of which are on display at what remains of the Buckhorn in San Antonio today.

The Buckhorn, Wenzel Friedrich
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Billie Keilman's Horn Palace
The Buckhorn Saloon was founded in 1881 by Albert Friedrich, son of cabinet maker and famed horn furniture maker, Wenzel Friedrich, who, beginning in 1880 made among the most beautiful horn furniture. The Buckhorn was located on Dolorosa Street in San Antonio. Albert was very fond of deer antlers and cattle horns, which he used to decorate his saloon. As word of this got around, he began offering to trade a drink for horn or antler specimens. The collection grew, and over the years it became larger and larger -- and so did the Buckhorn's reputation. It became a San Antonio landmark and was known around the world. In its heyday, it was the largest horn collection in America.

During the same time, another massive collection of horns and mounted specimens was being gathered by saloon-keeper Billie Keilman who displayed them in his Horn Palace in San Antonio, beginning in 1912, an establishment well-known for its chicken dinners, music and nightlife. Billie claimed to have the largest horn collection in the world with over 5000 specimens from many countries. The Horn Palace was sold to the Buckhorn in 1921, which then made it the undisputed horn king of San Antonio. What remains of the Buckhorn's collection may be seen today in San Antonio.