It’s said that this sight inspired local songwriter Oscar J. Fox (who penned “The Cowboy’s Lament” and “Get Along Little Dogie”) to write his popular tune “Hills of Home.” Today a marker commemorates this local hero.
Named for the slick marble ledges that formed a waterfall and a natural lake, today these falls are hidden in the depths beneath Lake Marble Falls and seen only when the water level drops.
You may not get to view the marble falls, but there’s no way to miss the granite for which Marble Falls is famous. This glimmering stone is throughout the town. One of the largest quarry operations of its kind is found on Granite Mountain, just west of the town of Marble Falls.
Pink granite from the quarry was used to construct the nation’s largest state capitol building in Austin, Texas (as well as the jetties in Port Aransas). A century ago, hundreds of stonecutters from Scotland along with gangs of Texas convicts performed the backbreaking work of cutting the stone from Granite Mountain.
Visitors are not allowed in the quarry but can observe the operation from the rest stop on the side of FM 1431.
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What to Do in Marble Falls
The Falls on the Colorado Museum. 2001 Broadway St.
This local history museum is housed in a historic school building that dates from 1891. Exhibits include a photograph collection of the town and the Colorado River before the construction of the Max Starcke Dam created Lake Marble Falls.
Highland Arts Guild Gallery.
Have a look here at the work of numerous local artists who call the Highland Lakes their home. The gallery sells original arts and crafts, including many bluebonnet paintings. In addition to the gallery, the guild sponsors a series of classes and workshops on the arts.
Lakeside Park.
Every August, this park is packed for the Lakefest Drag Boat Races , one of the largest drag boat races in the nation, but the rest of the year it’s a relaxing place to enjoy a dog walk or a picnic.
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area.
One of the largest parks on Lake Travis and one of the top LCRA parks, Shaffer welcomes travelers looking for an undeveloped site that offers good lake views, plenty of wildlife, and various kinds of vegetation. The 523-acre park has no potable water so bring your own. A mile-long swimming area offers a chance to cool off after hiking. Located 9 miles east of Marble Fallas at 706 County Rd. 343A.
Pottery Ranch.
Located halfway between Burnet and Marble Falls, this Texas-sized store welcomes you (and your dog, if you’re traveling with one) to shop for everything from pottery to patio furniture, Texana to teak. Located on US 281 N.
Blue Bonnet Cafe.
This is an example of a good old-fashioned Texas diner at its best. Since 1929, the Blue Bonnet Cafe has served locals and visitors plenty of country cooking, including chicken-fried steak, fried chicken, and burgers. Don’t miss their pie happy hour!
Inman’s Ranch House Bar-B-Que.
This little restaurant uses Texas’s favorite cooking method—barbecue—on turkey to produce a spicy sausage that’s mighty tasty and not as greasy as its pork cousin. Beef brisket and sides of coleslaw and beans also appear on the menu.
Make a Side Trip to Kingsland
If you’ve got some extra time, swing out to the community of Kingland, located west of Marble Falls on FM 1431. Originally named Granite Shoals, Lake LBJ was renamed for President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who, as a young US representative, brought the Highland Lakes project to Central Texas. Today the narrow, winding lake is popular with both anglers and water-skiers. Edged by steep hills, its clear and calm waters are protected from the winds that often buffet the larger lakes.
Kingsland is a sleepy community catering to those who come to enjoy a few days of bass fishing. Several lodges lie near the junction of the Llano and Colorado Rivers, where quiet coves afford a catch of black bass, white bass, crappie, catfish, and perch. Be sure to stop at the scenic overlook on FM 1431 just past the edge of town for a grand view of the lake and its shoreline homes.
During warm weather, cool off with a visit to “The Slab,” located west of Kingsland where FM 3404 crosses the Llano River. This informal swimming hole is a favorite summertime hangout. In fact, this section of 3404 is known as “Slab Road.” The river here is shallow and wide, with numerous channels of clear water creating pools just perfect for wading and splashing. There is limited parking on the roadside but no facilities.