For hundreds of years, the nomadic Tonkawa, Comanche and Lipan Apache tribes camped and hunted throughout the Austin area. Spanish settlers set up temporary missions in the area during the late 18th century. In the 1830s, the first permanent Anglo settlers arrived, naming their small village Waterloo. In 1839, Waterloo was chosen as the capital of the new Republic of Texas. A new city was built quickly in the wilderness, and was named after Stephen F. Austin -- "the father of Texas." Travis County was created in the same year.

The city of West Lake Hills was incorporated as a village on September 9, 1953. West Lake Hills today encompasses approximately the same area and boundaries, although a number of jurisdictional issues with Austin temporarily put the community’s legal status in limbo. The city is approximately four square miles in size.

Lake Travis was created when the construction of the Mansfield Dam caused impounding in the Colorado River. The lake is more than 60 miles long and almost five miles wide at its widest point. With crystal-clear aquamarine water, Lake Travis attracts hordes of water sport enthusiasts each year. With many water sport competitions, public parks and marina facilities, the lake has become a summer resort destination for vacationers from around the state and the country.

The Lake Travis region is perhaps best known as the home of the Barton Creek Country Club. The Dallas Morning News lists three Barton Creek golf courses among the “Best 50 Courses of Texas.” Tom Fazio’s masterpiece is ranked number 60 on Golf Digest's list of the “100 Greatest Golf Courses in America” and also ranks as the second best course in the state. With dramatic cliff-lined fairways, natural caves, waterfalls and incredible Bermuda greens, the club’s spectacular courses have something to offer golfers of all tastes and skill levels, providing an unforgettable golfing experience.

As well as providing championship-quality golf courses, Barton Creek Country Club is also home to a Spa and Fitness Center. A heated indoor aerobics and lap pool is designed for a wide range of individual and group aquatics activities. Above the pool is an indoor running track. A fully equipped Cybex exercise studio along with separate men's and women's spa areas are completed by an array of European-style personal services. Swedish massages, facials, aromatherapy, loofah body buffs and a French seaweed treatment are available, all supervised by licensed physical therapists.

Residents have plenty of schools to choose from. The Eanes Independent School District oversees Westlake High School, Hill Country Middle School, West Ridge Middle School, Barton Creek Elementary, Bridge Point Elementary, Cedar Creek Elementary, Eanes Elementary, Forest Trail Elementary and Valley View Elementary, while the Lake Travis Independent School District oversees Lake Travis Elementary, Bee Cave Elementary, Lakeway Elementary, Lake Pointe Elementary, Lake Travis Middle School, Hudson Bend Middle School and Lake Travis High School.

Community involvement is very important to residents of the Westlake/Lake Travis area. A community education program uses publicly supported facilities after regular school hours throughout the year for a variety of educational, recreational and service activities for people of all ages.

Travis County Parks helps area residents experience the amazing beauty of the area, from lakes and hills to rivers and prairies. Thanks to the parks department, people are able to sail or scuba dive in one of the clearest lakes in Texas and to observe one of the largest and most varied migratory bird populations in the country. Facilities are also available for softball, soccer, family picnics, hiking and nature study. Of course, you can just lean back and enjoy the spectacular county sunsets.

The delights of Austin are tantalizingly close. In addition to being the home of Texas government, it is also home to the renowned University of Texas. In addition, Austin is a center for the arts and culture. The city has been described as both a “graceful river city” and a technological mecca. Austin is truly a modern metropolis with a unique history and rhythm, whose enchantments have to be experienced to be appreciated.