Page 52 - Visit Fayette | 2017 - 2018 Visotors Guide

Scenic Colorado River Flows Through La Grange

By H.H. HOWZE
The Fayette County Record
The Colorado River is prob-
ably the most defining natural
feature in Fayette County. The
river was a corridor for settle-
ment and transportation in
frontier times. Today, tamed
by upstream dams, it provides
residents and visitors alike with
access to the natural – and
human – history of the area.
Ten miles downstream from
the Fayette-Bastrop County
line is the first public access to
the river at the Lower Colorado
River Authority’s Plum Park.
The Colorado River as it flows
from Plum to La Grange is full
of surprises around every turn
– and there are a lot of turns.
Several species of birds
frequent this stretch of the
river: barred owls, green and
blue herons, American egrets,
hawks, crows, green kingfish-
ers and black vultures. Further
downriver, a sheer white chalk
bluff rises 200 feet on the east
side while needle-nose gar snap The Colorado River is beloved by fishermen, boaters and wildlife. Birds seen on the river include bald eagles and roseate
at dragonflies and butterflies on spoonbills. Photo by Bobby Bedient
the smooth surface. A two-hour
float from Plum brings travelers three-league headright (about 12,000 acres) in 1822. The river authority also provides a river guide to
to the broad mouth of Rabb’s The young settlement of La Grange was other put-ins and take-outs along the river.
Creek. This is where William established in the 1830s on the east side Below La Grange, the next pub-
Rabb and his family, members of a pre-historic “buffalo crossing.” lic take-out is White Rock Park on river
of Stephen F. Austin’s “Old Today the LCRA maintains a convenient boat left, a short but scenic one hour float.
Three Hundred,” settled on a ramp for river tourists under the Business 71 bridge.

VISIT THE
M-K-T RAILROAD DEPOT MUSEUM
REAL & MODEL TRAINS, PHOTOS, HANDS ON EXHIBITS
Open Sat. 9:00-2:00

A Beautifully Preserved Pioneer Home

822 S. Jefferson, La Grange, Across from the Library
Open 2nd Sat. each month 1-4 pm and by Appointment 260 N.Washington, La Grange, Texas 1 Block north of the Square,
Contact Marie Watts at marie.watts@faisonhouse.org
713-628-9065 just behind the Quilt Museum
Info at Chamber of Commerce 979-968-5756

52 Visit Fayette | Fall/Winter 2017