12.06.2023

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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

⛳️ A good walk spoiled

A good walk spoiled at Lockhart State Park

A yellow golf flag as seen from in between trees.

Hike next to Lockhart State Park’s public golf course. | Photo by ATXtoday

Today, golfers swing their clubs on a quiet, rolling patch of green insulated from the bustling noise of the nearby town. This land hasn’t always been so peaceful — it was once mere miles from a battle ground.

We’re rounding out our series on local Texas State Parks with a trip back in time to the barbecue capital of Texas: Lockhart.

History

The land now known as Lockhart State Park was inhabited by Native Americans for centuries before white settlers moved into Central Texas.

By the mid-1800s, anti-Indigenous governmental policies contributed to clashes between Texans and Comanche tribes — including the Council House Fight in 1840, when Texas troops killed more than 30 Comanche people.

In retaliation, a band of Comanche and Kiowa raided Central Texas towns and met Texas forces on Plum Creek, just a few miles from Lockhart State Park. By the end of the battle, Comanche forces had lost significant numbers and were pushed out of the area permanently.

A brick building with a metal roof amid trees. — Lockhart State Park also contains multiple event spaces.
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Photo by ATXtoday

Decades later, the state purchased ranch land in the area in 1934 and the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration went to work building a park and golf course on the premises.

After operating as a country club for about a decade, Lockhart State Park opened to the public in 1948.

What to see

On your drive through Lockhart, stop by the historical marker for the Battle of Plum Creek in Lions Park.

The state park itself is 263 acres, so there’s plenty to see, including several historic structures like a group hall and stone bridges.

Stone steps leading up the side of a hill with trees on the left side foreground. — We hiked the Comanche Loop and Caddy, Chisolm, and CCC trails at Lockhart State Park.
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Photo by ATXtoday

What to do

Readers David D. and Karen S. recommended playing a round on Lockhart State Park’s historic golf course. You can reserve tee times online for fees starting at $10. Golf carts start at $11 and club rentals cost $7.

Visitors can also:

Hike
Swim for $2+
Camp, starting at $20 per night

Make a reservation to visit Lockhart State Park.

7 other state parks

Events

Wednesday, Dec. 6

Austin Woman Holiday Market | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 5-8 p.m. | Contentstack Experience Center, 1023 Springdale Rd., Ste #14A, Austin | Free | Browse vendors, listen to live music, and enjoy food and drink at this market.
SAFE & Sound Featuring The Suffers | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing, 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | $20-$50 | This concert benefits The SAFE Alliance, an Austin-based organization that supports the survivors of abuse.

Thursday, Dec. 7

Sarah Wilson: “DIG: Notes on Field and Family” | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5-6:30 p.m. | First Light Book Shop, 4300 Speedway, Unit #104, Austin | $50 | Hear from the author about her journey connecting with her grandfather’s legacy of photographing digs in Texas — ticket sales include a copy of the book.

Friday, Dec. 8

Bolos & Bourbon | Friday, Dec. 8 | 5 p.m. | The Driskill, 604 Brazos St., Austin | $55 | Learn about the history of the bolo tie and American bourbon as you design your own bolo tie and sample three pours.
Graham Reynolds Ruins the Holidays | Friday, Dec. 8-Saturday, Dec. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $44 | This composer will perform minor key versions of holiday favorites alongside a ten-piece band.

Plan Ahead

Queer To Tell: Austin Holiday Show | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Captain Quackenbush’s Coffeehouse, 5326 Menchaca Rd., Austin | Free | Listen to local storytellers perform works related to “Holiday Greetings and Gay Happy Meetings.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Tech

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News Notes

Development

More than 30 properties on historic East Sixth Street will be restored beginning in the first quarter of next year. Stream Realty Partners, the owner of the buildings, said it also intends to bring back community events like a farmers market and outdoor concert series. (Austin Business Journal)

Closing

Friends & Allies Brewing will close permanently this Saturday, Dec. 9. Owners of the Govalle spot did not give a reason for the decision, but the announcement marks the fourth brewery closure in Austin since August. (Eater Austin)

Festival

It may feel like we just left the flags, but ACL Music Festival already announced its dates for 2024. Presale tickets for the fest — slated for Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 11-13 next year — go on sale tomorrow, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.

Announced

You thought we had just one piece of festival news? Not in Austin. SXSW announced its newest batch of speakers for its spring conference, including Daniel Kwan + Daniel Scheinert, Scott Galloway, and Kendra Scott.

Coming Soon

An “eco-luxury” hotel made from “aircrete” is under construction in Bastrop County. The project, titled The Heavens, will feature 12 dome-style villas with stained glass windows, bottle artwork, and cedar furniture. (Austin American-Statesman)

Number

$12.5 million. That’s how much this West Austin home costs, ranking as the No. 10 most expensive home on the market in Texas, according to the Houston Association of Realtors. The award-winning property features five bedrooms, a pool, and pool house. (Community Impact Austin)

Shop

Health.com called this vibrator the “Rolls Royce Of Sex Toys” — and it’s also clinically proven to improve arousal and alleviate dryness. Get it for 30% off ahead of the holidays.*

Finance

There’s cash back, and then there’s unlimited 1.5% cash back. This card has that, plus a $200 bonus and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Oh, and did we mention the annual fee? No — because there isn’t one.) Learn more + apply.*

Pets

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Outdoors

🥾 Hiking through Central Texas

What we learned visiting eight local Texas State Parks

A gif cycling through images of Texas State Parks.

From forests to caverns and deserts to falls, we spent 2023 exploring eight state parks in Central Texas. | Photos by ATXtoday

City Editor London here. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed my journey exploring eight local state parks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Texas State Parks.

We kicked off this series in February, and since then I’ve been able to see firsthand just how much there is to explore in Central Texas.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Visit for: Seeing Texas history
- Longhorn Cavern State Park
- McKinney Falls State Park
Visit for: Hiking
- Bastrop State Park
- Buescher State Park
- Pedernales Falls State Park
Visit for: Activities
- Blanco State Park
- Lockhart State Park
- Inks Lake State Park

Now, I’d love to hear from you. Did you like our state parks series? Would you be interested in another series like this?

Click the button below to share your feedback with us.

Let us know

The Buy

The Buy 12.06.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Anything on sale for Six & Main’s Deal of the Day. Each day, unlock a new deal on a specialty, locally-made item. Today’s deal? Get 20% off our earring collection.

31 Days of Local Shopping

Gifts from the heart

ATXtoday’s 31 days of local shopping

A book reading "There is no right way to meditate" surrounded by smaller items.

Shop for home goods, wellness products, books, and beautifully made ceramics at take heart. | Photo by ATXtoday

Head to East Austin to do some shopping for elegant artisan goodies.

take heart, 1211 E. 11th St. | This 12-year-old boutique is a must-stop for wellness lovers on your list, offering unique products like a Deitanseki Clay & Charcoal Facial Cleansing Bar and a CBD pain relief Sana Salve. (Psst — don’t miss the collection of kids’ + baby products for the little ones in your life.)

5 other stores

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

I spent much of this past weekend in the Hill Country visiting family and I must say, Fredericksburg and Johnson City are looking pretty bright with holiday cheer these days.

I remember visiting the PEC Holiday Lights in Johnson City as a kid, and although I only drove past them this year, they were just as entrancing as I remember.

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