Go West Young Man!

Pioneer Town @7A Ranch

Wimberley, Texas

Have you ever thought about visiting the Wild West for a day, overnight or even several days? How about a night at a boarding house in town or cabin close enough to just visit the town during the day?

Pioneer Town at 7ARanch in Wimberley, Texas is a little secret town hidden in Central Texas made me feel like I was in Hope Valley (for all you “Hearties” aka When Calls the Heart fans on Hallmark Channel). Or maybe it was Dodge City for those who remember that TV Series.

In either case, I felt like I had gone back 100+ years to a small town where life was much simpler, yet with more comforts than I’m sure they had back then.

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I went to this town near San Marcus, New Braunfels and Austin, Texas in the winter when I felt like I had the whole town to myself. This was exactly what I needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and hear myself think for a few days. They say the summer is much busier with the entire facility holding 240 people overnight. Have a family reunion coming up? There are three lodges that sleep up to 40 people.

Meg’s Boarding House

This is the boarding house (hotel room) that I stayed. On the backside of this building is the Opera House. To the left is the town street with the Black Smith Shop across the street. Behind the camera is a lot with trees and picnic tables and with a view of the chapel.

Although, there’s a swimming pool on the grounds, I was not about to jump in with it being 40 degrees outside. Burr…

My love for history found it astonishing at all the buildings either set up as a museum, furnished with mannequins and antiques staged like a real venue or open for business. Like the Ice Cream Parlor selling ice cream or the General Store selling souvenirs and gifts. The registration building has a gift shop, video games and a pool table. I might add that the staff were all very helpful and genuinely kind.

Back side of the registration office, gift shop, game room

The registration office has a gift shop, video games and a pool table. I might add that the staff were all very helpful and genuinely kind.

Pioneer Chapel

The Pioneer Chapel was probably my favorite with benches, a pulpit and a piano with a hymn book. I felt such a peace in that little chapel, I could have stayed there all day.

Ranch House

Here’s the ranch home on the end of town.

Black Smith Shop

The Black Smith’s Shop had lots of old tools and equipment.

Jailhouse

Every town must have a jailhouse.

Opera House

The Opera House before it changed colors while I was there. Due to a film crew needing it to look good on a TV Series, they changed it to green. This is a really nice facility they rent out for parties. The Firemen and EMT’s had a party while I was there. They normally don’t rent out the boarding house on those nights, but since I didn’t ask for another night until my last night, they gave me a choice to move rooms. Are you kidding? I loved hearing the music on the other side of the wall.

The Bottle House

This little building was a rare find. A house made of 9500 glass soda bottles. Although, it is said to have been a common thing to build a glass-bottle house in a lot of towns. I was amazed at the model town built inside the house, as well.

Prayer Mountain (Old Baldy)

If you’re wanting to add a little more to your trip, there is a lot of shops, boutiques and restaurants nearby in this “taste of heaven” town. If you are more of a nature person, take a hike to Jacob’s Well or Prayer Mountain (Old Baldy).

My favorite thing about this beautiful town of Wimberley, is how nice everyone is. Not only the shop owners and restaurant servers. Even the other patrons and people I met on the nature trails were incredibly kind.

No sign of Kevin Fowler this time. But, that is a story for another post. 🙂

Side Note Of Extreme Importance

I highly recommend you do not travel across the bridge on Road 1492 (as suggested by GPS). This bridge is narrow and can be dangerous if the water level is high. Vehicles have been known to go into the river. If you’re coming from the South or East, I suggest going North on Hwy 12 and turn on River Road. Follow River Road to Wayside Drive (Hwy 179).

If you’re coming from the North or West, one option is to take Hwy 179. Just before the end is the 7A Ranch (Pioneer Town) on the right. Another option is Hwy 12 to Green Acres Drive (Hwy 279) to Wayside Drive (Hwy 179).