Marble Falls back in the 60s Back when time moved easy… and everybody knew your name. Windows down… no matter the weather. KTSA cracklin’ at 55 on the dial… a little static, a little music… and a whole lot of life in between. You could drive from one end of town to the other… and never feel like you left home. The Old Factory Building setting empty with tin flapping You’d pass McLean’s Drive-In… where Martin was the man…….folks pulled in for a 6-pack or 2, Across the road, Becker & Philpott’s Garage— a place that once sold new cars…….. with Cecil and Lonnie now they just kept the old ones running and Glenn Jackson fixin fender dents At Burnam Feed Store, Whether you came for feed… or a new pair of Tony Lama Boots…... Bobby and Sam would take care of you… same as always. The Blue Bonnet Cafe— coffee hot, donuts oversized… and conversations that stretched longer than the morning. Pull into Corker’s Mobil, and before you could step out… your tank was filling and your windshield was already being wiped. At Burnham’s Sporting Goods, it wasn’t just about the guns and ammo — it was those rattlesnakes behind the glass… Dick Hib-lers Garage sat steady… until progress nudged it north……… making way for the new Home State Bank. At Atwood’s, fried pies… hamburgers… enchiladas… the kind of food you didn’t soon forget. At Bowles Gulf Station, Where the ranchers gathered… with the little Chamber of Commerce building tucked in beside and in shadow of the grand old Methodist Church. Across the way— Jay’s Restaurant and Drive-In… where nobody left hungry. New’s Sinclair…pumping gas and the Texaco close by… with Charlie knocking out dents in the north bay. Winn’s Department Store— a place that had just about everything it had Leona Lewis…….my Maw-Maw the best sewing goods lady you’d ever saw. Ailene’s Dress Shop kept the gals in town looking sharp. Inman’s BBQ served up that famous turkey sausage… and sweet tea and the price was right. Gie -See- Keys Grocery—before it became H - E - B Trussell’s Exxon, always busy… where good men—and plenty of schoolboys— learned how to work. They would put a Tiger in your Tank. The Yacht Cafe, open all night… serving chicken fried steak worth staying up for. Ed Schaefer’s Con-a-co, where you could sit and shoot the bull Mac’s Store— Beef Jerky, tall tales of fishing, and time well spent. Lancaster’s Bait House, your last stop before the lake. Yates Auto Parts, keeping old cars alive… one part at a time. Crawford Appliance & Pump Supply, where help was always waiting. At Coe’s Corner, Ray would take care of you, cash a check… or just visit. And the Feen-a Station, where Mr. So-well would top off your tank…. Across was the Highland Motel… ready for travelers passing through. You’d turn around at Mormon Mill Road… head back south… cross the bridge… climb the hill… and circle through Roadside. Maybe you’d stop. Maybe not. Then head back across the bridge… and do it all again. Like a do-si-do on a Saturday night… turn your partner ‘round… and start over. Sometimes you’d drift down Main Street… Past Famous Department Store… White’s Auto… Despain’s Barber Shop… The Uptown Theater, glowing after dark— still alive when the sun went down. The Pool Hall down on Third, down the hill Barnes Lumber Company… Michel Drugs… Dr. Shepherd’s Office… For a little while, there was even the Highland Lake A Go-Go— proof that even a small town could swing. And Hill and Seals gave the kids something more— a mini-golf course… an arcade…. Then you’d ease back over… head up 281 again… And somewhere along that road………you’d realize— We didn’t need much. Didn’t really want much. Just that slow drag through town… and each other. Friends. Neighbors. Family. Marble Falls. Where life was simple… and that was more than enough.
