Real Estate Photographer in Marble Falls, TX

A 57-acre development is in the works for the empty ranchland across Texas 71 from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Marble Falls. It will consist of dozens of multi-family living units, retail space, a hotel, medical offices, and more.

H&H Ranch got phasing approval from the Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and could break ground in early 2026.

The project also means improvements to that stretch of Texas 71—including a stoplight, restriping, wider lanes, and turn lanes—and a connecting road to the Gregg Ranch subdivision farther south.

Developer Darrell Sargent believes the area surrounding the Texas 71-U.S. 281 intersection is the future of progress in Marble Falls. H&H Ranch will sit on the west side of the major convergence, directly across from the hospital at 810 Texas 71.

“That intersection is the biggest in the Hill Country,” Sargent told DailyTrib.com. “It will be the primary driver of all retail.”

According to the approved plan, work will be done in two phases. Phase 1 could begin in January 2026 and Phase 2 in 2027 or 2028, depending on the progress and success of the first phase.

Phase 1 consists of building multi-family residences, a hotel, and possibly a self-storage facility. A new road, Buck Run, will be built to service the development. It will extend from Texas 71, across the highway from Baylor Scott & White Boulevard, and eventually connect to Gregg Ranch. The first phase also includes restriping a stretch of Texas 71 and installing conduit to service a future traffic signal in Phase 2.

Phase 2 consists of building medical offices and other commercial retail space along the highway. A traffic signal will be installed at the Buck Run-Baylor Scott & White Boulevard-Texas 71 intersection and turn lanes will be added to the highway. An existing small bridge over Texas 71 will be widened along with the stretch of road approaching the development from the west.

The project is two years in the making, with final platting approved. The phasing plan approval was the last step before the Texas Department of Transportation signed off on the development and the necessary changes to Texas 71 to accommodate them.

Marble Falls’ newest public park is nearing completion and changing names.

The 12-acre, $1.9 million Mormon Mill Nature Park, originally Park View Park, is being built at the northwest corner of Parkview and Park Ridge drives. Once finished, possibly before the end of the year, the greenspace will feature a unique playscape, wildlife viewing blinds, and hiking trails through a verdant landscape surrounding a small wetland area. Parkgoers also will have ample parking, a restroom, seating, and a pavilion.

The area mostly will be kept in its natural state but with planted wildflowers.

Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Director Lacey Dingman said contractors have until January to finish the job, but a recent site visit seems to indicate an accelerated timeline.

“They’re making good progress out there,” she told the Marble Falls City Council during a project update on Tuesday, Oct. 7. “We hope to be scheduling a ribbon-cutting before the end of the year.”

Dingman also asked the council to officially change the name from Park View Park to Mormon Mill Nature Park, which was passed without complaint. The recreational area is just a block away from Mormon Mill Road.

The city park has been on the books since April 2022. After a divisive public input phase, with some residents and Parks and Recreation commissioners wanting a full nature park and others a fully developed public activity space, a middle ground was found. Final designs were approved in November 2024, and construction began in early 2025.

The city will pay $1.2 million of the total $1.9 million cost with $726,207 coming from a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant.

The Pedernales Electric Cooperative hosted more than 100 students and teachers from Marble Falls, Burnet, and Johnson City during its first-ever Job Shadow Day on Oct. 2. The event gave students a hands-on look at careers in electric linework, a trade that’s growing in demand across Texas and the nation.

“Students got a bird’s-eye view of everything this facility and our programs have to offer—from what the benefits and pay look like, to what skills they’ll learn each year,” said PEC Community Outreach Specialist Mikayla Herron in an Oct. 6 media release. “In a safe and controlled environment, they got to put on gear, climb poles, and ride up in a bucket truck to see what linework is really like.”

Experiences like Job Shadow Day are increasingly important as more students nationwide reconsider traditional four-year college paths due to rising tuition costs and extended timelines to full-time employment.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for electrical powerline installers and repairers is projected to grow 7 percent through 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. The growth is fueled by an urgent need for new talent, as nearly 40 percent of the current lineworker workforce is expected to retire within the next decade. The looming labor shortage is a nationwide concern, including within PEC’s Highland Lakes service area.

To help close that gap, the co-op is taking a proactive approach by engaging students early and exposing them to alternate career paths post-graduation.

“We need lineworkers, and we believe the best way to generate interest is by connecting with students early on and providing interactive experiences like this,” Herron said.

As one of the largest electric cooperatives in the nation, PEC hires around 20 new lineworkers a year through its Pre-Apprentice and Apprentice programs. These programs blend classroom instruction with thousands of hours of hands-on training to prepare participants for a career in linework. Typically, a high school diploma or GED is the only educational requirement to get started.

PEC also offers a wide range of youth programs and resources, including resume-building workshops, college and trade school scholarships, and experiences such as the Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where 1,500 students from electric cooperatives across the nation come together to learn about U.S. history and government.

Texas, sometimes called the Lone Star State, certainly stands alone as one of America's most diverse and interesting places to travel within. From the arid deserts to its west to the hilly forests and Gulf coastline to its east, the lower 48's biggest state is full of things to do, landmarks to see, and numerous small towns to stop at along the way. Let's look at 10 of these towns that rank among the best in 2025. Here, you will get the inside scoop on what makes these places special, whether it is historic sites, natural beauty, or cultural attractions.

Gruene

Gruene (pronounced "green") is a town just outside of the larger city of New Braunfels in central Texas. Located along the Guadalupe River, Gruene is best known for its historic district, where the cotton industry in the town's earliest days built much of the infrastructure, a lot of which still stands today.

The centerpiece of this community is Gruene Hall, Texas’s oldest continually operating dance hall, where live music and two-stepping, a dance that perfectly matches the western vibes of Gruene, have been a tradition since 1878. Come and see who is performing next in 2025!

A walk through the town’s streets will allow you to see the rest of the amenities it has to offer, including a selection of shops and delicious eateries like the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar, a spot with great views of the nearby river.

Marble Falls

Set against the backdrop of Lake Marble Falls (a widened section of the Colorado River), this town, which shares its name with the sizable body of water, is an ideal getaway for vacationers looking for a dose of beautiful nature.

Marble Falls has easy access to the waters of Lake Marble Falls while hiking at the nearby Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is another popular activity for outdoor adventurers. Don't forget about the Bluebonnet Trail, a pathway that winds through meadows full of eye-catching Bluebonnet flowers. Come in the springs to see the bloom at its peak. Additionally, Marble Falls is home to the famous Sweet Berry Farm, where you can pick your own seasonal fruits, a perfect activity for the whole family. The season for picking in 2025 will range from September 20th to early November.

The nearby Marble Falls Walkway of Lights, which will be held during the 2025 holiday season, illuminates the lakefront with thousands of colorful lights, creating a magical atmosphere that will give you a reason to visit this winter.

Wimberley

Wimberley is a gem in the Hill Country of East Texas, with many wonderful natural parks nearby and a cozy downtown area to match. Nestled at the junction of the Blanco River and Cypress Creek, Wimberley features natural attractions like the renowned Blue Hole Regional Park, a must-visit on a hot summer day. Here, crystal-clear waters make for idyllic swimming holes beneath the ancient cypress trees that populate the area's woodlands. Hikers can get a panoramic view of the surrounding Hill Country at Old Baldy, a popular local landmark that requires you to climb a 218-step staircase to reach its top.

Wimberley’s rich artistic community can be explored by all at its monthly market days, where vendors gather int own to offer handcrafted goods and locally picked produce. This town also contains several great museums, including the Cowboy Museum (with the Pioneer Town, a fully constructed village resembling a town seemingly taken straight from the set of a Western movie, with tours and other activities available) and the Wimberly Valley Museum.

Comfort

A fitting name for such a place, this town is a charming little place where one can find peace in the middle of Texas's Hill Country near San Antonio. Yet another Texas town that was founded by German immigrants in the mid-1800s, Comfort has preserved its historic character, with more than 100 buildings dating back well over a century.

Start your trip here at the Comfort Heritage Foundation Museum, a place where you can learn more about the German population here, from past to present, and the pioneer lifestyle of the original settlers. Make a point of spending an afternoon at the nearby Guadalupe River too, where tubing is a particularly popular activity.

The lands around Comfort are also ideal for grape growing, making this region quite the spot for many of Texas's best vineyards. Visit some of the tasting rooms right in town, like Newsom Vineyards' location just off Front Street, or go to one or more of the vineyards for yourself, with Bending Branch Winery and Singing Water Vineyards just a short drive away.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg holds tightly onto its German heritage while maintaining the typical Texan hospitality. The town’s deep-rooted German culture is celebrated through its food, festivals, and architecture, with highlights including the Pioneer Museum and the Vereins Kirche, a replica of the town’s first public building. Be sure to indulge in authentic German fare at local eateries or sample wines at one of the many vineyards in the surrounding area, making Fredericksburg a prime destination for all you foodies out there.

Nearby, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers some more outdoor-oriented activities, with hiking trails along its unique rocky features and a picnicking area spread throughout. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, located just south of Fredericksburg, is another option close by and contains trails straddling the Live Oak Creek.

Salado

Salado is conveniently located along the I-35 corridor between Austin and Waco, making it s popular escape for residents of the two larger cities. Many who come here opt to stay at the iconic Stagecoach Inn. Open since 1852, it is Texas’ oldest continuously operating hotel.

The town’s history dates back to the mid-1800s, officially having been incorporated in 1867, and its heritage is preserved in landmarks like the ruins of Salado College and the historic Baines House.

Beyond its historic offerings, Salado is also known for its scenic beauty, with Salado Creek giving visitors a tranquil spot for picnicking, going for a walk, and fishing. Stillhouse Hollow Lake is also located a short drive north of town, providing you with several spots along its shores to swim, fish, and launch a boat. Chalk Ridge Falls Park is a must-visit attraction on the eastern edge of the lake, known for its waterfalls and boardwalks.

Jefferson

Jefferson is located in the densely forested Piney Woods region near the border of Louisiana. Once an important and wealthy riverport, this town is now a treasure trove of antebellum homes, quaint bed-and-breakfasts, and other charming amenities housed in original buildings.

A good place to start is at the Jefferson Historical Museum to learn more about this region. You can also take a unique tour and soak in the sights by taking a ride on the Jefferson Railway, a narrow gauge railway that now offers guided tours. Jefferson is also known for its ghost tours, as it is often called the “Most Haunted Small Town in Texas.”

Caddo Lake is another major draw to the area. Just a short drive east of town, this lake is considered the biggest naturally formed lake in the entire state and lies within Caddo Lake State Park.

Llano

Llano captures the beauty and frontier spirit of Texas This town is also famous for its annual Llano Earth Art Fest, where visitors can marvel at intricately balanced stone sculptures along the riverbank of the Llano River, which flows right through the center of town.

Llano’s rich history is showcased at the Llano County Historical Museum, where exhibits on the town’s past as a cattle-driving and mining hub can be viewed. The iconic Llano County Courthouse, built in 1893, is another landmark that offers a window into the earliest days of this area when cowboys roamed and the Wild West was still alive and well.

Llano is also not too far from Inks Lake State Park, a beautiful nature preserve with rental cabins as camping is available as an option to stay the night. Enjoy the trails, beaches, and fishing spots you can find along the shore here.

Smithville

Smithville is a charming Texas town with a proud history as a railroad hub. Discover its fascinating past at the James H. Long Railroad Park and Museum. You can also enjoy a delightful and educational visit to the Smithville Heritage House & Museum, which offers insights into other parts of the town's history, including its founding and the preservation of its original buildings.

Smithville is proud of its connection to the beloved movie Hope Floats, which has made it a popular spot for fans who love to visit the various local locations featured in the film. The town also boasts a vibrant arts scene, with lively events like the Smithville Music and Film Festival attracting visitors from all around, creating a welcoming and creative atmosphere.

Since it's close to the beautiful Colorado River, you have great options for fishing and boating just moments away. Not far from here is the Vernon L Richards Nature Preserve, a lovely green space that you can easily reach on foot by crossing the river. It offers a peaceful natural escape with well-maintained walkways along the scenic river, making it a perfect spot for relaxing walks and enjoying nature.

Alpine

Alpine is the quintessential small West Texas town in its high desert. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Davis Mountains, one can easily find the charms of this place in either its natural beauty or its cozy dowtown area.

Known as one of the main gateways to Big Bend National Park, Alpine is a popular choice for visitors looking to cozy up in a comfortable hotel or inn after exploring the park. But don’t miss out on what the town itself has to offer! Take a stroll around and enjoy attractions like the Museum of the Big Bend, situated on the Sul Ross State University campus. This charming museum offers an engaging glimpse into the region’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural surroundings.

Another wonderful outdoor adventure spot is the nearby Davis Mountains State Park. You can enjoy the campgrounds and several hiking trails, and don't miss the Hobby Eberly Telescope at the McDonald Observatory. It's truly a fantastic natural treasure of Texas!

Experience Texas in 2025

If you're feeling bored in Texas in 2025, it might just be because you're not exploring the right spots! These ten charming small towns are only a taste of what this wonderful state has in store. Whether it's the breathtaking natural beauty of Wimberly and Alpine or the rich history of Salado and Gruene, there's so much to discover and enjoy. Why not use this list as a starting point to plan your next exciting road trip today?