Rockdale blends rural charm with new development
Growth and rural charm merge in Rockdale, a small city in Milam County established in the 1870s during the Texas railroad boom. Today, planned infrastructure development is spurring more commercial and residential development. "We do have some businesses opening up that we are really excited about. We also have a new subdivision, Cornerstone, which is [developed by] D.R. Horton," says Michelle Toungate, the Executive Assistant of the Rockdale Municipal Development District. The city recently approved a major project to replace around 8 miles of water lines. There are also plans for the solar panel manufacturer, T1 Energy, to build a facility in the area. The community is home to several farms, and locals commute to nearby major cities for work. "I grew up in Marble Falls. When my husband and I decided to purchase property, this happened to be a good area that had the type of soil we were looking for, because we like to grow trees and have gardens," Toungate says.
Ranch-style homes and new builds line the streets
Rockdale's residential streets are flanked by mature trees that tower above many of the ranch-style houses. More than half of the dwellings on the market date back to the 20th century. Buyers can also choose from recently built New Traditional homes. The Cornerstone development offers new homes with farmhouse-style exteriors and covered back porches. "They are going to have at least four phases. At some point, they will have some apartments and an elementary school," Toungate says. Move-in ready Rockdale homes typically cost between $130,000 and $475,000.
National chains mix with small businesses on U.S. 79
Most businesses are along Cameron Avenue, also known as U.S. Highway 79. The route contains a Brookshire Brothers grocery store and a Walmart Supercenter. Tractor Supply Co. and the animal feed supplier, Rockdale General Store, help support the town's agriculture. Toungate says that the community's restaurant scene is a mix of national chains and local options, such as East Bell Tap House and the Piano Bar and Steakhouse. "We've also got The Ranch, a multitude of Mexican restaurants and a little coffee shop on Main [Street], called Moon Brew Coffee Co.," Toungate adds. She says that Rockdale recently opened a food truck park. "They are building it up right now and have spots for ten trucks," Toungate says. Locals often travel roughly 50 miles to College Station for concerts or 55 miles to downtown Austin for more entertainment.
Children attend the Rockdale ISD
Toungate says the town has a lot of pride in the local schools. Residents rally at school sporting events, and "Go Tigers!" appears in the windows of local businesses. Children are served by the Rockdale Independent School District, which earns a C-plus rating on Niche. Rockdale Elementary and Rockdale Intermediate both receive B ratings. Rockdale Junior High and High schools have C-plus ratings. Texas offers an inter-district open enrollment policy that allows some students to attend public schools outside their designated zones.
Golf club, depot museum and playgrounds serve residents
The small city offers multiple recreational spaces, including the Rockdale Skate Park and the semi-private Rockdale Country Club. "Our local swimming pool is at Veterans Park. They just revamped it. It has new walking paths and a playground. We also have tennis courts over there," Toungate says. The recently renovated Rockdale International-Great Northern Depot & Museum displays a caboose, a functional blacksmith shop and a dining car. "For our library, our new librarian has a lot of new events for parents, students and the community," Toungate says. The Lucy Hill Patterson Memorial Library, along Ackerman Road, operates on weekdays. Locals gather in Wolf Park on Saturdays for the farmer's market. The Kay Theatre, originally built as a cinema in the 1940s, now serves as a community center after a major restoration in 2010.
Public transit and highways connect Rockdale to nearby cities
Commuters can get around on The HOP, a public transportation system managed by the Hill Country Transit District. Rockdale residents can now book the new on-demand microtransit service using a mobile app. Drivers often travel along U.S. Highways 77 and 79. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 55 miles away. Cameron, the county seat, stands approximately 15 miles away.
Weather risks in Milam County
The last major flooding event in Rockdale occurred over a century ago; however, there are still risks of flooding. The surrounding area has a history of wildfires, which can impact homes. Milam County can also experience tornadoes and hurricanes. The town operates an Emergency Alert Program that delivers notifications to mobile phones for hazardous weather conditions and road closures.
Gathering at the Rockdale Fair Park & Rodeo Arena
Toungate says that the Rockdale Fair Park & Rodeo Arena hosts the county fair in the fall and spring. She adds that the fairgrounds hosts musical artists like Kevin Fowler.
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Written By
Ashley Kennedy
