Wharton is a small, agricultural town with a bonded community
Wharton is rooted in cotton and cattle country on the banks of the Colorado River. "[It's a place where] you have time to appreciate life, and it's just not going so fast beside you," says Shannon Araya, a Realtor with Keller Williams Premier Realty who grew up here. The city's population of over 8,000 people is relatively stable, only increasing by 1% in a decade. Still, development is picking up, with a master-planned community in the works, creating space for new friends. "You will know your neighbors. They will look out for you. And our town has tons of activities," says Stacie Hoyt, a Realtor with eXp Realty LLC, who's lived here for 14 years. Events from festivals to fairgrounds and parties under the historic bridge strengthen community bonds. So do visits to the local museum, inside the childhood home of former CBS News anchor Dan Rather.
A vibrant mural in Wharton captures the city's rich country heritage.
An aerial view captures the heart of Wharton and its surrounding landscape.
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Wharton Lakes is a new master-planned community here
Wharton is filled with custom homes, many on a quarter of an acre to over three acres. Some trace back to the early 1900s but have been completely remodeled. The city also has investment properties for those willing to put in some elbow grease. Wharton Lakes is a new master-planned development stretching from the city's core to its countryside. The community offers a large fishing lake, walking trails and a park. Wharton's median home price is $226,000, significantly lower than the state median.
New builds bring modern charm to Wharton's growing neighborhoods.
Home in Wharton
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Higher education at Wharton County Junior College
Wharton Independent School District earns a C-rating on Niche. The district enrolls just over 1,800 students in four schools. The highest-ranking are Wharton High and Sivells Elementary, both earning a B-minus grade on Niche. Wharton County Junior College is also located in the city.
Wharton Jr. College helps students take the next step toward their future.
Wharton students thrive at Wharton High School.
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Famous residents of Wharton include Dan Rather and Horton Foote
Dan Rather's house, now the Wharton County Historical Museum, showcases exhibits devoted to nature and related to his life. Another famous Wharton resident was playwright Horton Foote, who adapted the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" for the big screen. The community devotes a festival to him in April. Monterey Square Wine Fair and Party Under the Bridge happens in October, followed by the local Christmas parade in December. "And don't forget about the Wharton County Fairgrounds, that's a big one," Hoyt says. "Most of our children are involved with the fair, showing their animals and winning those scholarships. Also, we now have the pumpkin patch Gundermann Acres right outside of town."
Explore the Dan Rather House, a historic landmark in Wharton.
Explore Horton Foote's work and Texas roots in Wharton County Historical. Museum
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U.S. Route 59 flows through Wharton
The Colorado River Bridge, built in 1930, is a historic landmark that’s still used by commuters. U.S. Route 59 flows through Wharton, connecting to Highway 60, a path to downtown Houston in less than 60 miles, and Freeport and its beaches in under 70 miles. OakBend Medical Center is in the city with an emergency room and specialty services.
Dinner and a show at the Plaza Theatre in downtown Wharton
Quintessential of a small Texas town, Wharton's downtown area features local establishments in historic buildings that circle an old courthouse. A beacon of the area is the Plaza Theatre, a staple since 1904. For more extensive shopping, locals head into the Houston metro area. "Sugarland would be the first town you'd get to, and a lot of people do go to Sugarland for dining and mall shopping," Araya says.
The Plaza Theater brings arts and entertainment to downtown Wharton.
Discover small-town vibes and big-town charm in Downtown Wharton.
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From the courthouse to the Colorado River
Nature is never far away in Wharton. "The Colorado River is a block away from the courthouse," Hoyt says. "You will find people tubing and fishing there. Then there is Dinosaur Park with Hesed House next door with all kinds of things to do." Hesed House is a community center that hosts free weekly yoga classes. Dinosaur Park features a playground, basketball court and picnic areas. It connects to Riverfront Park, with a short walking trail, spanning the Colorado River. Wharton also has neighborhood parks and a municipal pool.
Wharton County Courthouse's historical marker tells the story of the city's past.
Pose with the climbable sculpture at Dinosaur Park, a must-see interactive piece in Wharton.
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Wharton's community efforts after Hurricane Harvey
Wharton has weathered several historic floods. The most severe event was Hurricane Harvey in 2017. "People pitched in with trucks, food, clothes and furniture. Lots of businesses handed out free food. And as a Realtor, I worked nonstop to get people in rentals," Hoyt says. "Since then, the city has put in procedures, policies and levees so it doesn't flood that way again." Crime data was not readily available for this city.
Born and raised in the Houston-Galveston Region of Texas, Sasha Lester comes from humble beginnings that have driven her to work hard and master her real estate skills. She has been in the business since 2010. Her love to explore, learn new things, and meet new people has contributed to her expansive knowledge of the Southeast area of Texas and has given her the ability to be highly skilled in protecting, educating, and negotiating for her family, friends, clients, and associates.
She has received the True Grit Award from RE/MAX of Texas for her resilience and dedication. Her integrity is an attribute that her clients boast about to their friends and family, which explains why most of Sasha's business is referral based. She is real, honest, and proficient. Many agents, consumers, and others in the industry will say that this Real Estate Agent is Top Notch. Sasha has taken immense pride in mentoring many agents throughout her career, as she has been a long-time advocate of giving back to the career and community she loves. She uses her local reputation, vast network, online niche, and community presence to keep up with the latest real estate trends and focus on homes and land that clients are looking to buy and sell.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
