November 15, 2004
Dedicated to Marble Falls....
Gateway to the Texas Hill Country
November & December 2004
In this Issue
- History and Culture
- Up Coming Events
- Things To Do
- New Businesses
- Cuisine
- Tips on Travel
- Featured Sponsor's
- Thought for the Month
- Editor's Note
History and Culture
Granite Mountain
Granite Mountain - an 866 foot dome of solid pink granite, located on RR 1431 on the western edge of Marble Falls. The formation covers 180 acres and contains the largest quarry of its kind in the United States.
Granite Mountain's fame began on July 29, 1885 when the owners, "donated to the people of Texas, granite sufficient and suitable for the building, erection and completion of the entire State Capital Building." Convict labor was contracted for the tremendous task of cutting the granite into blocks for shaping. Mule-drawn flat cars were used to haul the blocks to the dressing and shaping grounds at the quarry. A narrow gauge railroad was specially built to haul the 15,700 carloads of granite from the quarry to the Capital Building site in Austin. The Texas Capital is second in size only to the National Capital. When constructed, it was said to be the seventh largest building in the world.
Granite from Granite Mountain was used in the construction of many buildings known for their beautiful design such as the Georgia Pacific Building and the Coca Cola Building both in Atlanta, Georgia; the Wyndham Hotel in Dallas, Texas; Inter-North building in Omaha, Nebraska; Sohio Corporate Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio; Crocker Building in San Francisco, California. It was also used for the famed Galveston, Texas seawall and virtually every jetty on the Texas gulf coast.
In 1951 Cold Spring Granite Company purchased the mountain and operates still today under the name Texas Granite Corporation. Cold Spring Granite Company is the world's largest fabricator of granite products including interior and exterior structural granite, landscape and industrial granite, and memorials.
Granite Mountain is solid granite - one of nature's hardest materials. A stone that is composed of quartz, feldspar, and usually mica. Properly installed, granite should last forever. A highly valued quality of granite is that it will accept a high polish. Not only is this mirror finish exceptionally beautiful, but is especially suitable for resisting extreme conditions.
Things to Do
Walkway of Lights - November 19 and runs through January 2, 2005.
Imagine over one million twinkling lights on trees and sculptures reflecting on the sparkling waters of beautiful Lake Marble Falls! Stroll leisurely along this self-guided winter wonderland walk and experience the magic of Christmas Marble Falls style! The largest lighted pole tree boasts over 17,000 multi-colored lights and a lighted tunnel touts over 12,000 clear lights. Both of these treasures together with the whimsical, patriotic, religious, traditional and not so traditional sculptures create the Walkway of Lights.Hours are 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily. Admission is free to the public but donations are cheerfully and gratefully accepted. Located on the lake at the 281 bridge.
Fall Creek Vineyards and Royers Round Top Café
Bringing Solutions For Perfectly Sweet Holiday Dinner Endings and Your Gift Giving Needs
Tow, Texas – Fall Creek Vineyards and Bud Royer, founder of the award winning Royers Round Top Café, are pleased to assist you in your holiday planning. Join us Saturday, November 27, 2004, for a tasting of Royers Round Top Cafe holiday pie selections, paired with Fall Creek’s dessert style wines, just in time to make your final delectable selections for your Thanksgiving and Christmas plans… be it a family dinner, a special holiday party or simply the perfect gift item. What more could you ask for on a fall Hill Country Saturday afternoon? Taste, Relax, Shop, Prepare!
This tantalizing experience requires no reservation and is on the house! We look forward to seeing you during our regular business hours of 11am – 5pm on both of these Saturdays as we offer you a beautiful variety of perfectly sweet endings.. Don’t miss out on this tasty opportunity to get a head start on your holiday preparations!
Fall Creek Vineyards is located on the northwest shores of beautiful Lake Buchanan, 2.2 miles north of Tow, Texas, in the Texas Hill Country. The Winery and Gift Shop are open everyday all year long, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter for free tours and tastings: Monday – Friday 11am – 4 pm; Saturday, 11 am – 5pm; and Sunday, 12noon – 4 pm. Let Fall Creek Vineyards be your destination for any special event; A private event of your own or one hosted by the Winery. Event plans and/or reservations may be made at 325/379-5361 or visit our website at www.fcv.com.
Paintings on Canvas
Hill Country Community Theatre
Artist's Reception
November 20-21, 2004
12:00-4:00pm
New Businesses
Christmas Carolyn
Retail shop for Christmas decorations, gifts, collectibles, art
112 Main Street
Marble Falls, TX 78654
830-693-9727
Horseshoe Bay Resort
Bayside Spa Is now Open
Massages, Facial, Body Treatments, Manicures, Pedicures, Steam Rooms and Dry Saunas
www.horseshoebaytexas.com
830–598–9210
Restaurants
The Ranch House Grille
Texas Music; Texas Food; Texas Folks; Texas Fun. Fine dining restaurant with a Southern flair. Club/Dance Hall featuring live music.
15603 E Hwy 29
Buchanan Dam, TX 78609
512-793-6267
Travel Tips
Travelling with Children
Are We There Yet? - When traveling with my children, I take 2 rolls of nickels. Every time one of them asks, 'Are we there yet?' I take away a nickel. They don't like to lose money, so that keeps them from asking. They also try to find ingenious ways to get around the 'law' of the game; so it makes the trip a lot more fun.
Travelling with Pets
Before Driving feed your pet lightly before beginning the trip, about one third of their normal amount. Save the remainder and feed it once you've reached your destination.
Bubble Wrap Anyone? - What to do with that bubble wrap? Pack it for wrapping breakables.
Featured Sponsors
Champion Promotions
Building Ecommerce Business
Ecommerce Consulting, Coaching, Web Designs
www.websitedesignbuilders.com
www.sbi-smart-start.com
Call 940.668.2145
Liberty Hall Guest Haus
Historic Guest House by the Lake. Book a 3 night vacation anytime between November 19 and January 10, 2005 and receive a 15% discount when you mention the Discover Marble Falls Texas Newsletter. Visit Liberty Hall to reserve your holiday vacation spot today!
Thought for the Month
Fragrance is the substance of memories. One whiff of a childhood aroma can set the memory in motion, bringing back thoughts, faces and feelings long forgotten. How does this happen? Tell Me!Editor's Note
Are you a local resident or business owner in Marble Falls? We want to hear about your business. Send your email or web address and we'll look you up. Consider contributing to our newsletter and helping us promote Marble Falls, the City by the Lake. Send feedback, questions or comments Here !
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