C.W. Burdett
Wimberley, Hays County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Clarence W. Burdett (1913-2001) helped build his family’s store in Wimberley in 1932, supervising the construction of the building using native and colored stone brought in from other locations. He married Pansy Rollins and together they built Camp Waloa, the first girls camp in Wimberley. Burdett lived in Wimberley for only 18 years, but left a lasting impact on the buildings there. He built around 50 rock homes along Wood Creek as well as spring boxes and dams. He recognized the tourist attraction to Wimberley, so he split up his property along Lone Man Creek and built small rock cabins to sell to wealthy vacationers from Houston. Three of the cabins he built are still standing. (2014)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Clarence W. Burdett helped build his family's store in Wimberley in 1932, hauling in native and colored stone, and with his wife Pansy founded Camp Waloa, the area's first girls camp. Though he lived in the Hill Country town only eighteen years, he left a deep mark, raising some fifty rock homes along Wood Creek plus dams and spring boxes. Recognizing Wimberley's appeal to visitors, he subdivided land along Lone Man Creek and built rock cabins for wealthy Houston vacationers, three of which still stand.
Why it matters
Burdett's stonework helped turn a quiet Hill Country settlement into a tourist retreat, illustrating how one builder can shape a town's character.
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Related people
- · Clarence W. Burdett
Themes & tags
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