Chap. 1 - Hx of WLH - Ep. 10 - Early Bull & Westlake Highlands

Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton, Sr. (1905-2000) is the Original Developer of Westlake Hills. In this Episode, Emmett shares the story of the initial development of the Bull Mountain area. Abe Bull, of Austin Ntl Bank, came to Emmett offering to sell the family's 160 acre Bull Mountain tract of land for $500/acre. The nearest roads were the High Road and Trail of Madrones.
Emmett took the offer to a fellow Westlake investor, Sterling Holloway. Both saw the challenge and opportunity. They borrowed the $80K from Abe's Bank and began building roads. They bought up the Right-of-way and deeded it to the County for Torro Canyon.
Westlake Drive was unpaved from Redbud Trail to the High Road. Sterling and Emmett Sr. and his son Emmett Jr. paved the road.
Emmett's wife Joyce, was a big inspriation in developing the area. She worked with Malcom and Becky Fax to develop the Fast Fox and Slow Turtle Subdivisions on Torro Canyon Road. While the city urged 1/2-acre lots, Joyce and the Foxs were firm and stayed with their 1-acre lot minimum. The Community Won!
Stories by Emmett Shelton, Sr. and Compiled by Cynthia Shelton
Music: Daddy's Dreams by Emmett's son Polk Shelton

For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake
Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.