6 THINGS MARBLE FALLS IS FAMOUS FOR

With a name like Marble Falls, one might assume it is most famous for a waterfall, but in reality, this charming town has five other things it may be even more famous for.

Granite

One of the things Marble Falls is most famous for isn’t water, but rock…granite to be exact. Granite Mountain located west of town on FM 1431, was, at the time of its discovery, 866 feet tall. In 1885, the town donated its granite for use on the Texas State Capitol, in exchange for a railroad system and labor to mine the rock. 15,700 carloads of granite were transported to the site in Austin and at the time of its completion in 1888, the Texas State Capitol was said to be the seventh largest building in the world. It is the largest capitol state building in the United States today. This granite was also used in the construction of the Coca-Cola Building in Atlanta, Wyndham Hotel in Dallas, the Galveston Seawall, and the Crocker Building in San Francisco. Geologists say there are still centuries left in the mining process and that it is the largest of its kind in the United States.

Great Outdoors

These days Lake Marble Falls has brought more fame as an outdoor lover’s paradise. Boating, fishing, swimming, birdwatching and sightseeing all draw visitors. And then of course there is Lakefest. Every year some of the fastest boats in the nation come to town for a weekend of drag races. The event also features “Show & Shine” where fans can see the drag boats up close and meet the drivers. 

Women’s Rights

Guess you could say Marble Falls was always in the fast lane. In 1917 citizens elected Ophelia Crosby “Birdie” Harwood as the first woman mayor in Texas, three years before women were allowed to vote. According to the Highlander News, in a March 1917 article in the Marble Falls Messenger, Harwood stated her reasons for running for mayor. “A woman’s first duty is to her home and children,” she stated. “When she has raised them up… no good woman is out of place doing those things which are so vital to her children and her home.”

Star Athletes

Speaking of the fast lane, most Texans don’t know US Olympic runner Leonel Manzano is a graduate of Marble Falls High? Manzano has competed in several Olympic Games and brought home the silver medal in the 1500m at the 2012 games in London. Additionally, former Minnesota Vikings tight end David Morgan is a hometown boy who graduated from Marble Falls High and was a star quarterback.

Pie

Nowadays it turns out Marble Falls is also famous for pie. The Bluebonnet Café helped put Marble Falls on the foodie map with a selection of fresh baked pies starting way back in 1929. Since then, a plethora of great local restaurants, breweries and wineries have opened in the area…with more to come.

The Falls

Now back to those falls. There were once three distinct limestone formations running across the Colorado River. The upper layer of limestone, brownish on the exterior, but deep blue inside, was so hard and cherry it was mistaken for marble. The natural lake was covered when the Colorado River was dammed with the completion of Max Starcke Dam in 1951. The falls for which the City is named are now underwater but are revealed every few years when the lake is lowered by the Lower Colorado River Authority for repairs.

Guess you could say with so much history, our future in Marble Falls looks rock solid.

Located in charming Marble Falls, Texas this 240-acre master-planned community is northwest of Austin and is anticipated to be home to approximately 700 single-family and 250 multi-family residences. A central community area with an outdoor pool, ramada, barbeque area, shaded play area and bocce ball and horseshoe pits are planned. Gregg Ranch outdoor amenities will also include 5.5 miles of jogging and biking trails throughout the community, plus a dog park. The community is conveniently located at the intersection of State Highways 281 and 71, and is a short drive to Lake Marble Falls, Lake LBJ and the famed Texas Lake and Hill Country. Visit http://greggranch.com/ to learn more.