Ch1 Developing Westlake Ep102 LBJ's Tip, Roy Ranch and Our Future

Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2000) Original developer of Westlake Hills, tells of a tip Emmett got from LBJ in1938 regarding the upcoming rehabilitation of the dams on the Colorado River. The Austin Dam had been broken for almost 30 years.

LBJ advised Emmett of the WPA and plans to renovate the damns all up and down the Colorado River for flood control. Obviously, it would also make the currently flood-proned land, usable and valuable.

Emmett tells of his purchase of almost 3,000 acres of the Roy Ranch property.

The future of Westlake Hills was set.

Note: Emmett had a long-standing relationship with LBJ. He was a few years ahead of LBJ at Southwest Texas State in the '20s. And in 1935, Emmett's older brother, Polk, had challenged LBJ in the primary for US Congress. Emmett was Polk's campaign manager.


Music: Daddys Dream by Polk Shelton, Emmett's son

#austinhistory

#westlakehills

For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake

Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.