Georgetown, Texas: Historic Getaway

The Tonkowa Indians were undoubtedly the first promoters of Georgetown. Long before the first survey markers were laid in this central Texas town, the Indians called this area takatchue pouetsu or "land of good water." No chamber of commerce could have asked for a better slogan.

Today that nickname could be expanded. Besides good water, visitors find good recreation, historical sites, and a small town atmosphere that attract weekend visitors.

Georgetown was founded on July 4, 1848 on a ten-acre site donated by pioneer George Washington Glasscock. For years, the central Texas town remained quiet, stirring only as shipments of cotton or grains came in from the fields. After the Civil War, however, the railroad, Southwestern University, and the cattle industry came to town, and Georgetown experienced a boom.

It was the building during that heyday that gave Georgetown its distinct Victorian architecture. Limestone structures decorated with metal cornices and arched doorways held businesses that ranged from the dry goods and the livery stable to the harness shop. The businesses surrounded a Neoclassical Revival style county courthouse, forming a typical Texas town square.

From 1982 to 1986, Georgetown participated in the Main Street project, renovating and rejuvenating historic structures to bring back the look of the 1890s. With the help of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, over $8 million was invested in this project along with $500,000 in improvements including brick pavers, teakwood benches, old-fashioned lighting standards, colorful crape myrtles, and majestic oaks.

The best way to appreciate the downtown renovation is on a walking tour. Stop by the Visitors Center at 101 W. Seventh Street on the square for a brochure outlining a walking tour of the town that's been called the "Premier Main Street City of Texas." This self-guided tour takes you throughout the downtown region for a look at the city's most interesting historic sites.

The centerpiece of the square is the Williamson County Courthouse, constructed in 1910. Built in Neoclassical Revival style, it's a classic Texas courthouse, with white Ionic columns and projecting porticoes.

Although it has seen decades of change in Williamson County, the courthouse is just an infant compared to many of the other historic structures. Built in 1870, the Shaffer Saddlery Building, a rubblestone construction, at 711 Main Street was once a saddlery with a residence on the second floor. The west side of the square is also lined with historic structures, including the David Love Building at 706 Austin Avenue. Built in 1883 by settler David Love, the former dry goods store is now a specialty shop popular with visitors. It is believed that the early settler fought at the battle of San Jacinto before he arrived in Georgetown.

As captivating as Georgetown's historic attractions are, some of the area's real treasures are the natural ones. Head north from the courthouse square on Austin Avenue past the North San Gabriel River and turn right to enter the San Gabriel Park.

This community park is nestled on the banks of the San Gabriel River, and it's been a popular site for centuries. Indians camped at the verdant grounds, pioneers met here, and early Georgetown residents congregated here for parades and meetings, including one where Sam Houston spoke.
Today the park is the perfect place to take a picnic lunch and enjoy fishing, swimming, or a leisurely walk on the pecan-shaded grounds. Upstream from the park, the North San Gabriel River has been controlled to create Lake Georgetown. This 1,310 acre lake is located 3-1/2 miles west of Georgetown off FM 2338.

Start your visit to the lake with a stop by Lake Georgetown headquarters, just off FM 2338, to pick up a map to the major park areas. Near the headquarters, pull off for a stop at the Visitors Overlook to see the rugged terrain that forms the lake basin.

Just beyond the overlook lies the first public use area, Cedar Breaks Park. Cedar Breaks also has two fishing docks and a boat ramp popular with the many skiers and fishermen who visit the lake. Fishermen are in search of the channel cat and smallmouth bass that are stocked in the waters. Cedar Breaks is also the starting point for the Good Water Trail. Spanning nearly 17 miles, this hiking trail follows the upper end of the lake, ending at Russell Park on the other side of the lake.

Two of Georgetown's attractions are located along Interstate-35. Inner Space Cavern was discovered in 1963 when road crews building the highway drilled into one of the large rooms. Drilling and exploration revealed that a major cavern wound below the proposed highway. Stress tests indicated that the limestone would support road construction, so the highway was built as planned. Soon afterward, the cavern was developed for commercial use, and it remains one of the most accessible caverns in the state due to its roadside location.

Just across the highway lies another popular visitor attraction: The Candle Factory. This operation really "lights up" for visitors, and on most days travelers watch workers producing the candles.

Just east of these two attractions lies Southwestern University, the oldest university in Texas.

Regardless of your interests, from hiking to historic buildings, you'll find it in Georgetown. Best of all, Georgetown greets visitors with a dash of small-town charm and a sprinkle of country friendliness just as it did over a century ago.

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