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Search across 222 entries — stories, people, places, documents, eras, collections, and podcast episodes.
Story
The Davenport Ranch and the Birth of Westlake
When James 'Buck' Davenport patented a thousand acres above the Colorado River in 1854, he could not have known that his land would one day become Westlake. This is the story of the ranch, the family, and the land that shaped a community.
Story
The History of Rollingwood Park
Eleven acres of donated land, a non-profit Optimist Club, ballfields built from Bee Caves Road fill, and a 1978 community project championed by resident Hazel Maxwell — the story of how Rollingwood's central park came to be.
Story
Two Diamonds for the Dam
After running a tough congressional primary against Lyndon Johnson in 1937, Emmett Shelton received a tip from the new congressman about the WPA's plans for the broken Austin Dam. A handful of diamonds bought 200 acres of the western shore.
Podcast
Cedar Crest Night Club
Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2000) tells us of the changes that came to Westlake Hills in the 1930s. Prohibition ended. Bee Cave Road was paved. Electricity came to the Bee Cave Road area. Mervin Ash was the King Pin of gamblers in Austin. He partnered with Emmett and brother Polk,…
Story
The Night Bee Cave Road Was Paved
In 1931 the Shelton brothers and the king pin of Austin gamblers turned an old hunting lodge eight miles out a dirt road into central Texas's most popular nightclub. The pavement of Bee Cave Road that same year is what made it possible.
Audio
Cedar Crest Night Club
Emmett Shelton, Sr. on the changes that came to Westlake Hills in the 1930s — the end of Prohibition, the paving of Bee Cave Road, the arrival of electricity, and the rehabilitation of the old Moose Head Lodge as a Prohibition-era nightclub with Mervin Ash, the king pin of Austin gamblers.
Podcast
Emmett Builds First Business @ Future County Line
Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2000) tells one of his favorite tales - His first Westlake business and a birthday surprise. Emmett was 24, a recently married college graduate in 1929. He and several partners built the Moosehead Lodge - where County Line on the Hill is now located. It…
Podcast
Trading Diamonds for Austin Dam Site
Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2000) tells us the story of securing the land for the Dam site in 1938. Emmett and brother Polk ran a tough primary against Lyndon B. Johnson in LBJs first Congressional race. After LBJ was elected in 1938, he made a visit to Emmett and Polk's office.…
Podcast
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…
Podcast
Greer n Yarborough Murder Trials
Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2999) tells first-hand stories of two high-profile Murder trials in Austin, roughly 100 years age. Emmett's father, John E. Shelton, had a prominent criminal law firm in Austin with his four sons. In the 1920s, John E,'s Uncle H.C. Greer caught an…
Podcast
Chap 5 KKK in Austin -1882 Lynching of Uncle Sam
'Mob Law' was common 'justice' in Central Texas, roughly 150 years ago. Emmett's Great Great Uncle Sam Shelton was a wild cowboy in Belton in 1880s. He was arrested one night for attempted murder of a deputy and his teen son was jailed with him. A Mob took Uncle Sam from the…
Podcast
WLH Hero's BBQ and flatbed Campaign for IKE with Ms. Davenport
Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Austin Democrat BUT like many Texans in 1952, Emmett became a ' Democrat for Eisenhower '. Emmett tells of hosting Ntl. War Hero, Gen. Clements, with over 100 dignitaries, at a BBQ to celebrate at Emmett's Westlake Hilltop home. Gen.…
Podcast
1952 Texas Dem Conventions Don't Back Stevenson
Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Democrat BUT like many Texans in 1952, Emmett became an ' Eisenhower Democrat '. In the 1950s, Central Texas had become liberal. Emmett was active in the Texas Democratic Party and Gov. Alan Shivers asked for Emmett's help to swing the…
Podcast
1952 Austin Begins Swing to the Right
Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Austin Democrat BUT in 1952 Emmett became an ' Eisenhower Democrat '. In the 1952, Central Texas had become so liberal that Dems would not allow the conservative Gov. Shivers to be the Travis County delegate in the State Democratic…
Podcast
Ch13Law Tales Ep 104 Tx Rangers v Capitol Bootlegger
Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) Tells an interesting tale of how Capt. Frank Hamer of the Texas Rangers addressed a bootlegger operating outside their Capitol window. For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and…
Podcast
Leading Rangers Was a Family Job
Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2000) shares first-hand stories involving Capt. Frank Hamer, Texas Ranger. Frank's brother, Capt. D.E. Hamer, was made head of the Texas Rangers when Ma Ferguson became Governor. Austin had a popular Skillball game. Emmett had to call on Capt. D.E Hamer…
Podcast
Ch13Law Tales Ep102 Capt. Frank Hamer Texas Ranger
Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells a tale about Texas Ranger, Capt. Frank Hamer, and how he became the Head Texas Ranger. It started at the Tx Border and continued with a racial uprising near Sherman that resulted in a lynching and burned courthouse.. For maps and other info check…
Podcast
Capt Frank Hammer v. Gammell Bookstore
Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) shares an interesting law case from 1931. Texas Ranger, Capt. Frank Hamer, officed in the Capitol and uncovered a scheme by Austin's Gammell Bookstore to steal and sell Texas Session Acts. Emmett defended the Gammell Boys in court. They were guilty…
Podcast
Buck Stops with Capt. Frank Hamer - Texas Ranger
Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2000) shares first-hand stories of cases he represented involving Capt. Frank Hamer, Texas Ranger. Frank's claim to fame was the killing of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde. In the 1930s, Capt. Frank Hamer officed in the Capitol during Prohibition. He…
Podcast
Chap. 1 - Hx of WLH - Epis. 13 - Emmett Shelton Bridge
Emmett Shelton, Sr. (1905-2000) tells how he worked in the late 1940s to have a bridge built between Austin and Westlake Hills. This would make Westlake accessible to the city. Petitions, BondIssues. Emmett's effort was successful and in 1949 the bridge opened but went nameless…
Meeting
Eanes History Group · April 2025
Quarterly meeting of the Eanes History Group, held in partnership with the WestBank Library. The lecture portion was recorded for the EHG video series; minutes summarize discussion items and donations received.
Podcast
Polk Shelton - WLH Original Music
Emmett Shelton Sr.'s son Polk Shelton shares a medley of his original tunes for the Austin radio station around 2000. Emmett Shelton Sr. raised Polk in Westlake. Polk followed his father's footsteps into criminal law in Austin. However, his real love was writing songs and…
Podcast
Ch5 Early South Austin Pt.1 Dice Winnings and Hill's Cafe
Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a defense attorney for some of Austin's most notorious hustlers and shares first-hand tales from roughly 100 years ago, The Depression years brought out the hustlers who were looking for a quick buck. Emmett represented one such gambler who turned…
Podcast
Chap 2 - Peninsula - Epis 5 - Trail of Madrones / Bull Mountain History
Emmett Shelton, Sr. tells of his partnership with Sterling Holloway in developing the High Road and Trail of Madrones, making the Westlake Highlands accessible. Emmett also tells of riding horseback from where the County Line Restaurant is now located, to seal the deal with an…
Podcast
Toro Canyon Area
Emmett Shelton, Sr. (1905-2000) is the Original Developer of Westlake Hills. In this Episode, Emmett tells stories of his partnership with Sterling Holloway and putting in Toro Canyon Road and paving extensions of Westlake Drive. Emmett and his wife Joyce worked with Malcolm Fox…
Podcast
Chap. 1 - Hx of WLH - Epis12 - Westlake Corner
Emmett Shelton, Sr. (1905-2000) is the Original Developer of Westlake Hills. In this episode, Emmett tells stories of working with Johnny Mussleman and Johnny's vision to develop the Westlake/Red Bud Corner. Johnny truly contributed to completing Emmett's Dream of Westlake…
Podcast
Davenport Ranch
Emmett Shelton, Sr. (1905-2000) rounds out the Chapter on developing the Westlake Peninsula with a first-hand story of the sale of the 1,000 acre Davenport Ranch in the 1940s. Nobody knew exactly where the boundaries were, but Emmett owned the surrounding ranches. Emmett traces…
Podcast
Ch1- Developing WLH - Epis 106 - Central Westlake - Stonehedge Estates
Emmett Shelton, Sr. (1905-2000) was the Original Developer of Westlake Hills. He recorded his history of the area to share with the community, even after he was gone. In this Episode, Emmett tells stories about developing the Chambers Survey which includes 500 acres in the…
Podcast
High Road and Partnerships
Emmett Shelton, Sr. (1905-2000) was the original developer of Westlake HIlls. He tells of the partnership of Sterling Holloway that lead to the expansion in the High Road and Bull Mountail. Music: Daddy's Dreams by Emmett's son Polk Shelton For maps and other info check out our…
Podcast
Ch2Building Roads Ep3 - Defending the Land
Emmett Shelton, Sr. (1905-2000) was the original developer of Westlake HIlls. He tells of expanding Westlake Drive to the Westlake Highlands and building Toro Canyon Road. In the 1940s, there was no Pennybacker Bridge or Loop 360 to provide access to this area. One old abandoned…