The History of Lake Buchanan / Inks Lake
Chamber of Commerce
As the need to promote tourism in th Highland Lakes, the chamber was formed in 1958 and the name would be Lake Buchanan / Inks Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Struggling as all new organizations do, the chamber felt that more people would visit and enjoy the beautiful Hill Country if they only knew about it and came for a visit.
Early in 1963, with the idea to get surrounding communities involved, the participation in the first Highland Lakes Festival became a reality - this was in conjunction with the first AQUA FEST. During this time, the chamber worked with local artists to share their talents. Today, they have their own gallery to show with all who come, pictures of the Hill Country.On that first day of the festival 1963, the chamber members along with the local Lions Club inagrurated the big show with canoe races from Lake Buchanan to the City of Austin, over 5 dams with portages of canoes from lake to lake. The BOY SCOUTS were recruited for this race. The LIONS CLUB served breakfast to all.
As with all organizations, time would see the chamber experience ups and downs - some of this depending on lake levels, economy, and strength of leadership.
In 1985 the greatest boost for the chamber came in the form of a new location. The Observation Point Building located at the dam became the Chambers new home, a very attractive focal point for activities and a magnificent view of the lake. The LCRA would be assisting the chamber in creating a museum depicting the rich historical backround of the Lake Buchanan Area.
As time would have it, the chamber would once again be relocated, and not the great building it once had, but LCRA had purposed a smaller building, but still close to the dam, with wonderful assts for up close views of the dam. The Chmaber still flourished here because of visitors wanting to view the dam, ( the most frequent request fro visitors).
Fate and 9/11 would take care of our close location to the dam.
Since that time, we have been struggling as a chamber. The location we could afford was not that visible and was far from a view of the dam. However, we did not give up on the idea that visitors to the area would still like to stp in and visit at a new locatiion.
A few months ago, this became a reality when we, hopefully for the last time, settled in on a hill just across the Inks Bridge with a wonderful view of the dam. We have room to expand and hopefully replace some of the museum information. The LCRA archives are being helpful in trying to locate pieces from the old museum and sharing pictures for our visitors to view. Whiel fishing, lodging, and boating are important questions from our visitors the history of our lake is still the most asked question.
Those of us as directors today feel we have a new lease on life with this new location.The visitor count at the new location has surprised even those of us who expected it to make a differece!
This coming year we hope to upgrade to ADA Standards and even buil a deck/picnic area in the back of the location, under the shady oak trees viewing the dam. We welcome all to come and visit while they are passing through!
Struggling as all new organizations do, the chamber felt that more people would visit and enjoy the beautiful Hill Country if they only knew about it and came for a visit.
Early in 1963, with the idea to get surrounding communities involved, the participation in the first Highland Lakes Festival became a reality - this was in conjunction with the first AQUA FEST. During this time, the chamber worked with local artists to share their talents. Today, they have their own gallery to show with all who come, pictures of the Hill Country.On that first day of the festival 1963, the chamber members along with the local Lions Club inagrurated the big show with canoe races from Lake Buchanan to the City of Austin, over 5 dams with portages of canoes from lake to lake. The BOY SCOUTS were recruited for this race. The LIONS CLUB served breakfast to all.
As with all organizations, time would see the chamber experience ups and downs - some of this depending on lake levels, economy, and strength of leadership.
In 1985 the greatest boost for the chamber came in the form of a new location. The Observation Point Building located at the dam became the Chambers new home, a very attractive focal point for activities and a magnificent view of the lake. The LCRA would be assisting the chamber in creating a museum depicting the rich historical backround of the Lake Buchanan Area.
As time would have it, the chamber would once again be relocated, and not the great building it once had, but LCRA had purposed a smaller building, but still close to the dam, with wonderful assts for up close views of the dam. The Chmaber still flourished here because of visitors wanting to view the dam, ( the most frequent request fro visitors).
Fate and 9/11 would take care of our close location to the dam.
Since that time, we have been struggling as a chamber. The location we could afford was not that visible and was far from a view of the dam. However, we did not give up on the idea that visitors to the area would still like to stp in and visit at a new locatiion.
A few months ago, this became a reality when we, hopefully for the last time, settled in on a hill just across the Inks Bridge with a wonderful view of the dam. We have room to expand and hopefully replace some of the museum information. The LCRA archives are being helpful in trying to locate pieces from the old museum and sharing pictures for our visitors to view. Whiel fishing, lodging, and boating are important questions from our visitors the history of our lake is still the most asked question.
Those of us as directors today feel we have a new lease on life with this new location.The visitor count at the new location has surprised even those of us who expected it to make a differece!
This coming year we hope to upgrade to ADA Standards and even buil a deck/picnic area in the back of the location, under the shady oak trees viewing the dam. We welcome all to come and visit while they are passing through!
