Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Heritage Center

Today, we are visiting the Heritage Center in Lakeway. They are having an open house. This is where all the historical artifacts of Lakeway are kept. Caroline’s of Austin is catering, and Ray Charles is entertaining us.

Menu

Biscuits & Gravy – buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy, fried eggs

Spinach & Feta Egg White Omelet – grilled red onion, cherry tomato, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Ham & Cheddar Omelet – smoked ham, aged cheddar, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Eggs Your Way – choice of chicken sausage or peppered bacon, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Whipped Ricotta Pancakes – syrup, whipped butter, powdered sugar

Crispy Chicken & Waffles – maple syrup, honey butter

Huevos Rancheros – sunny eggs, crispy tortilla, black bean, jalapeño, avocado, queso fresco

Green Chili & Chicken Enchiladas – fried egg, yogurt crema, cilantro, avocado, lime

Sweet Corn Cake Benedict – poached eggs, jalapeno cheddar corn cake, avocado, tomato & corn salsa

Picture of an old time school bus
Let’s go
The Heritage Center was dedicated on November 11th, 2005. The new construction included restoring a portion of the original ranch house erected in the 1930s. The Center includes an archive storage room, the archivist’s office, public restrooms, a small kitchen, and a meeting room.
The Center is named in honor of Byron D. Varner, who wrote the first historical record of Lakeway. It is titled Lakeway: The First 25 Years.
The Rock Room is the only surviving piece of the original ranch house built in the 30s.
Watch your head going into the Rock House.
A fireplace to warm up after working the ranch all day.
A place to play cards and have meals.
Old church bench in the corner.
Now inside the Center itself, volunteers are honored
The walls are lined with historical documents.
The archive is packed full of artifacts.
A display case where more items can be seen.
Another display.
What is an open house without cookies.
A painting of the Fourth of July parade in 2009. (There is a parade every year)
The proud eagle telling us the tour is over
Time to enjoy brunch and the music. I hope you all have a terrific week.

60 comments

  1. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · ·

    Great tour, John. And Ray Charles’s America the Beautiful brings it to a lovely closure. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Gwen. Ray is one of my favorites. He’s been inspiring since high school.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. GP's avatar

    Outstanding, John. When people honor the past, they guarantee their future. That eagle is fantastic!
    Chicken & Waffles, please.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The eagle is quite stunning. Thanks, GP.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    Thank you for the tour, John! The Heritage Center looks like an interesting place to visit.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      One could spend a lot of time in there for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Laura's avatar

    Great snaps, John! Seriously, what is an open house without cookies? 😀 Have a great Sunday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I agree. Off-camera were some drinks, too. 😊

      Like

  5. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    The Heritage Center sure looks interesting, John. The eagle finalizing the tour is great, and Ray Charles’s song is wonderful. It’s good to learn the history of one’s town.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The good part is the history is being preserved.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. noelleg44's avatar

    What a compelling place to visit! I love history and would probably spent a good amount of time there!

    Corn cake Benedict, please, today!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I agree, Noelle. I think I would spend some time there too.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Looks like someone forgot to cash in their giant novelty check. Think it’s still good?

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Sorryless's avatar

    What a cool place! I love how they transformed that space, and I think I would take my huevos rancheros and sit at that table for a spell. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, that would feel good.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. robbiesinspiration's avatar

    Lovely, John. I enjoy historical houses

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is a great place. Thanks, Robbie.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. lois's avatar

    What a wonderful facility, John. Ending with the eagle and America the Beautiful–perfect.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So glad you liked it, Lois. Thanks for letting me know.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. coldhandboyack's avatar

    So much of our society is disposable these days. It is important to preserve what we can. These kind of archives are important.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I agree. Too quickly, folks forget the past

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Debbie's avatar

    Every community should preserve its history; it’s nice to tour Lakeway’s Heritage Center with you, John. I especially like the painting of the Fourth of July parade … with the bagpipes!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That painting is lovely. It does capture the spirit of the day. Thanks, Debbie.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

    That Heritage Center is AMAZING! I felt like I was walking back in time with the original rock room-very cool.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I was stunned that there is no bed in there. The ranch hands had to sleep somewhere.

      Like

  14. equipsblog's avatar

    Impressive breakfast menu. Great pictures, John

    Like

  15. thomasstigwikman's avatar

    That looks like a very interesting place and as usual your photos are great. For breakfast I’ll have Crispy Chicken & Waffles.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Thomas. Chicken and waffles it is.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar

    I am digging Rock Room! This is a cool place. Thank you for sharing, for Ray Charles, and the cookies!!

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      All super. Thanks, Annette.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. petespringer's avatar
    petespringerauthor · ·

    Pretty cool that they were able to keep part of the original building. That low doorway made me think of one of my students’ parents. He was six feet nine inches and played professional basketball in Europe. He always had to duck when entering our classroom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That must have been a sight. Thanks, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Michele Lee's avatar

    Thank you for the lovely Sunday share. Hope y’all enjoyed some cookies!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. Thanks, Michele.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Resa's avatar

    I adore that ranch house.

    Quixotic ideas, of a past that seems nostalgically romantic , are evoked by it.

    It’s wonderful that it preserved for the community’s history.

    Thanks for the tour, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      This community is very aware of history and does a good job of preserving it. Thanks, Resa. 😊X

      Like

      1. Resa's avatar

        😀X😀X
        Excellent!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I agree. 😀X😀X

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Resa's avatar

          😀X🏆🏆😀X

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          🏆🏆🏆🏆😊X

          Liked by 1 person

  20. Resa's avatar

    OX OX OX 🐖

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Darlene's avatar

    I love these Heritage Centres. Thanks for the tour!

    Like

  22. Teri Polen's avatar

    I’d have a great time munching on chocolate chip cookies and looking around.

    Like

  23. Marie A Bailey's avatar

    Thank you for the tour! Closing it out with Ray Charles is perfect.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Marie.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. srbottch's avatar

    It’s important to have a history of your surroundings.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is Steve. I’m so glad that folks are interested enough to capture history.

      Like

  25. dgkaye's avatar

    What a fun tour and good food too. I loved the stone walls! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are thick ones, too.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. dgkaye's avatar

        Amazing.

        Like

  26. circadianreflections's avatar

    I love the stonework. All from there I imagine? Great tour as always, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, this is granite country.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Jennie's avatar

    The original building was stone, not wood. No wonder it survived. The eagle and the Fourth of July painting are wonderful. I enjoyed this, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jennie. So glad you did.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        You’re welcome!

        Liked by 1 person