Living the Good Life In Georgetown Texas: October 2009

I'm often asked "What brought you to Georgetown?".  There are so many good reasons to relocate here, a great school disctrict, low taxes, mild climate, beautiful parks, proximity to Austin Tx but what always comes to  my mind is the historic downtown square.  Just picture one of Norman Rockwell's paintings of a simpler time and you have an idea of our guality of life here in Georgetown Texas.  Let's take a walking tour and you'll see what I mean.

Discover Georgetown Mural 

Georgetown is located 30 miles due north of Austin Texas and is the county seat of Williamson County. The Williamson County Courthouse was restored in 2007 and occupies the center of downtown.

Williamson County Texas Courthouse

The lawn surrounding the courthouse is a popular spot for local events, including Fair on the Square, Red Poppy Festival and the upcoming Christmas Stroll of Downtown. 

Courthouse Lawn Georgetown Texas

Austin Avenue(Highway 29) is on the west side of the square.  It was the major highway between Austin and Dallas until Interstate 35 was completed in the 1960's.  Before that it was part of the original Chisholm Cattle Trail.

Chisholm Trail Historic Marker

Georgetown was an important center for commerce in the 1880-1930 time period with banks, retail, restaurants, saloons, and theatres.

Austin Avenue (Highway 29) Georgetown Texas

7th Street Georgetown Texas

Corner of 7th and Main Georgetown Texas

Georgetown has promoted the revitalization of the historic downtown through the Downtown Georgetown Association, The Main Street Program, and through it's Historic Overlay District.  The restoration of the buildings and the placement of trees and benches add much to the charm and character.

8th and Main St. Georgetown Texas

Restoration of buildings continues.  This Building at the corner of 8th and Austin Avenue was modernized in the 1950's with a plaster overlay.  The removal has exposed the original window openings and the building detail.

8th and Austin Avenue Georgetown Texas

The art deco Palace Theatre is now owned and operated by a non profit group that stages regular theatre productions.

Palace Theatre Georgetown Texas

Downtown is home also to unique gift shops, clothing boutiques,bookstores, decorator shops jewelry, antique stores and restaurants. 

The Escape, Fine Crafts and Gifts

One of my favorite buildings is the Lockett Building with it's cupola windows.  I'd love to have my office here!

Lockett Building Georgetown Texas

All it takes is one stroll around Georgetown's square and you will also want to call this speciall place HOME!

Fountainwood Estates is located approximately 6.5 miles west of Interstate 35 in Georgetown Texas.78628.  It lies just east of Jim Hogg Park rd and south of Williams drive close to Lake Georgetown.  The subdivision was developed from 1992-2000 with most of the homes built by local builders Bobby Fredrickson, Jimmy Jacobs and Don Parker.  The lots are all a minimum of 1 acre, and are served by Chisolm Trail water district and Pedernales Electric Co Op.  All homes are on septic systems.  The lots are mostly treed with a blend of live oaks, cedar elm and juniper (referred to as cedar trees locally).

The homes are predominately one story ranch style with 3/4 masonry exteriors (brick or local white limestone) ranging from 1800 to 2800 sq ft with the average being 2300 sq ft.  Most have 2 car garages and are 4 bedroom 2 or 2.5 baths. 

Texas Classic Ranch was a popular style of building

Since all the homes are on at least one acre, there is plenty of room to spread out.  Deed restrictions are in place, no horses or livestock are allowed  but boats and RV's are ok as long as they are shielded from street view.

The Fountainwood Home Owners Association is mandatory but the annual fee is very reasonable since they only maintain the entrance and the small homeowners park and structure.

An interesting structure is the former Fountainwood Observatory that was a hobby of the developer Max Allen.  You can see the structure behind the home of his widow Mary Allen at the entrance to Fountainwood.  After his death the telescope and equiptment was donated to Southwestern University where the public is invited for regular star gazing nights.

Children in Fountainwood attend the award winning Village Elementary in Georgetown ISD.  There is a new connector road (Parmer Lane extension) that affords easy access to NW Austin and the Highway 183 corridor.  Homes in Fountainwood have proven to be very popular with prices ranging from the low to upper mid 200's. 

Fountainwood is a great neighborhood with a history of solid resale value.  I have personally sold many homes in this neighborhood and can recommend it as a great area to relocate to.  Call or email me for current listings in Fountainwood Estates.  http://mikesparks.net

I wonder if this house in historic Georgetown Texas was under a pest control program?  Proof positive I guess that yes in Texas everything is BIGGER including the bugs!

Yes, here in Central Texas we are all happy with the rain, whether it comes naturally from the sky or through the Active Rain network.  This week alone the level at Lake Georgetown has risen 16 feet.  Watering restrictions have been lifted in most of the communities that draw water from the lake.  So what is a Realtor to do on a rainy Monday?  Well, I've spent my day reading and learning from the resources available to us all the Active Rain network.  Soon I even hope to be able to rework my blog and use some of the custom features.  Meanwhile here's a picture of our beautiful Lake Georgetown filling up as I write.

Remember the song Janice Joplin sang 'Mercedes Benz'?  This weekend in Georgetown Texas I was singing a version of that "O Lord, won't you buy me a CORVETTE?" kept coming into my brain as I walked the historic square and checked out all the beautiful Corvettes that participated in the Corvette Weekend.

And then there was my favorite.. the one that got me singing.

If only I could hop inside pop the clutch, burn those skinny tires and transport myself back to Leo's Drive In circa 1965.   'Oh Lord won't ya buy me a STINGRAY!"

No really, Go To Jail.

NO REALLY, YOU NEED TO GO TO JAIL!

  Specifically the Old Williamson County Jail, and experience NIGHTMARE AT JAIL HILL a benefit put on by the Williamson County Sheriff's department Brown Santa charity.  Tour the `1880's jail that once housed such famous criminals as serial killer Henry Lee Lucas,hear chilling stories of past residents and the famous sheriff's that put them there.  Tours will begin Oct 23 and 24 from 6-11pm at the jailhouse on the corner of 4th and Main in downtown Georgetown Texas. Tickets are $8 adults and $5 kids 9-12.  Lawbreakers are admitted free however release can be problematic.

A beautiful fall day here in Georgetown had both Wiley the RealDog and I needing to get out.  What better place to explore than the Georgetown Texas Bark Park.  WOOF!!!

This park is big! covering several acres of a pecan grove there is plenty of room to let Wiley run and chase those pesky squirrels.  There is also an area designated for small dogs if you don't want little Fifi intimidated by the big dogs.

The amenities include benches for owners to tired to play anymore, plenty of tennis balls and half eaten dog toys, water stations and tubs to splash in, and of course fireplugs.

SIT! WILEY, SIT!  because if you don't you are going to find out what the Time Out Area is all about.

Well a good time was had by all....We'll be back often, not only is a great place to exercise your pet, but it's a great park for people too.  Just another example of why we all love living in Georgetown Texas!  Woof!!

Wow! Apparently I managed to hit a home run on my first at bat!  Trust me, I was totally clueless.  My approach to the site though was to be open, jump in, have fun and introduce myself to the site and learn from the experienced bloggers.  The Active Rain members have exceeded my expectations.  I'm excited to get to know everyone and hopefully soon I'll be making my own contributions.  This week I've set aside to explore the site and apply some of the tech tips that have come my way.  Thanks to all the Active Rainers that have made this rookie feel welcome.

Apologies to the Star Trek writers for using their theme for inspiration, but the fact is this is my very first blog post, and I am boldly going forward to where so many of you have already been.  My hesitation with technology started with the frustrations of programming vcr's back in the day, I still am hesitant to embrace new technology though I know I must.  So in the spirit of adventure I find myself preparing to launch my own website, dealing with new terminology (what is WYSIWYG anyway? and feeling as if tech support is speaking to me in Sanscrit.  No matter, I'll survive and prosper and I'm looking forward to the support and help from the Active Rain community in my journey.