Today’s Tarrant County Tuesday takes us West to an enchanted stretch of S. FM 4 called Lone Camp in Palo Pinto County. This might be the most challenging article I’ve written in the eight years with daltxrealestate.com.
(Yeah, Candy, where’s my anniversary gift?)
This is a story of a property that doesn’t fit cleanly in a box like most homes. It is a story of family and faith and much, much more. This is a story of a property that could be called the most important and integral part of a community located on one of the most scenic stretches of Texas road.
Where to Start? Community First.
Around 80 years ago on the corner of Hoover Road and FM 4 the Lone Camp General Store was born. Quickly, this store became the go-to for residents and vacationers for miles and miles. They sold gas, diesel, fishing tackle, and dry goods — and they eventually sold cold beer.
Located only a few miles from Lake Palo Pinto, the General Store was frequented by fishermen and women and then boat owners who wanted to get on the water. While the more well-known lake attraction is Possum Kingdom Lake about 60 milesnorth, Palo Pinto Lake gained visitors and residents when the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 happened. Locals from Fort Worth and surrounding cities “discovered” Palo Pinto Lake and all that it provides.
Around seven years ago a fire destroyed the Lone Camp General Store and surroundings. The owners at the time were not interested in rebuilding. That is when Josh and Heather Winbourn entered into the picture. Josh grew up in the area and recalls taking his $1 allowance and hopping on his bike to buy candy and Cokes on hot summer days. Josh’s grandfather, Don Hoover, is whom Hoover Drive is named after — remember the Lone Camp General Store is on the corner of Hoover Drive and FM 4.
Knowing a lot about the area but little about running the General Store, Josh and Heather took a tremendous leap of faith and moved back into the Lone Camp community and got the funds together to purchase the property and rights to the Lone Camp General Store.
Commercial And Short-Term Rental Idea
The idea was to create a place for neighbors to gather with neighbors for a cup of coffee or grill up some finger-licking items in the professional-grade kitchen. They wanted the new store to be seen as a place for commerce but also community. They also desired to build a residential component where they could run short-term rentals for weekenders wanting to get out to the country and enjoy some peace and quiet, beautiful scenery, the lake, or long bike rides along FM 4.
Rising From The Ashes
Like the Phoenix of Greek mythology, the Lone Camp General Store rose from the ashes. This time the store would feature more goods, hot food, and an upstairs that could be one dwelling of three or four bedrooms, or easily configured as a two-bedroom Airbnb and a one-bedroom Airbnb with separate kitchenettes, bathrooms, and entrances.
Adjacent to the store was a dilapidated home that was to be demolished. As Josh started inspecting the home he realized the home was completely built out of shiplap and wonderful old wood that couldn’t be replaced. He even discovered that the home had not one but two full floors of wood — maple and long-leaf pine.
With a background in construction, Josh was determined to use every piece of lumber to build the new store. Not only did he have plenty of wood for the store, but also for the living quarters. He and his crew were able to take the reclaimed material and turn it into trim, cabinets, flooring, shiplap, stairs, counters … every piece was used and gave so much history and richness not only to the store but to the living quarters as well.
If These Walls Could Talk
On February 14, 2017, the Lone Camp General Store was re-opened. Serving the community was back in business for the Winbourn’s. Not only were they working the counter, but they were also slinging burgers, breakfast tacos, and hot cups of coffee to all who entered. The tables would fill quickly as there is little around the area where workers or vacationers can get a home cooked meal or pie. Ahhhh — the pies — Heather took family and other proven recipes and tweaked when needed to make her world-famous treats.
Sometimes Plans Change For The Better
Now the store was up and running and the living quarters were ready for short-term rental status … except the plans changed. Josh and Heather loved the property so much, they decided to move into the quarters and make it a true live/work experience. They wanted to raise their children above the Lone Camp General Store and truly be ingrained into the community.
Another change of plans happened with the recent adoption of a beautiful baby boy. Now Heather and Josh are the parents of an 18-, 15-, 12-, and one-year-old. Isn’t it funny how sometimes our perfectly laid plans can suddenly change for the better and make total sense?
Certainly, the Winbourns not only have a wonderful family purpose, but their faith in Christ is vital to every step of their journey.
Time to Pass The Baton
And now the Lone Camp General Store is up for sale. It’s time for Josh and Heather to continue their journey and focus on raising the kids that still are under their roof. As you can imagine, having a second-story home with an open balcony and a stairway entrance isn’t the most conducive dwelling for a crawling baby.
But this opportunity is not for everyone. The Winbourn’s desire to sell their property to someone who believes in their vision of not only reaping monetary rewards but also the rewards of serving the greater Lone Camp and Palo Pinto County community.
Short-term rental opportunities are endless with a few doors and plumbing fixtures to revert the upstairs into two separate quarters. With the right promotion, they could easily be scooped up for weekend bicycle riders or car clubs who want to have a landing spot as they experience the beautiful winding FM 4 and scenery.
The property not only includes the store and living quarters, but an adjacent parcel of land that would be an amazing place for an outdoor venue to attract lake visitors for a summertime concert or festival. The opportunities are endless with this property. But it must be the right buyer.
To start this week’s article I said it was the most challenging … but to be honest it was probably the easiest and most fun to learn about and write. I still have a few pages of notes from my meeting with the Winbourns, but there’s a limit to how long a reader’s attention span is these days.
Besides, this is a unique opportunity for a special buyer.
Even if you’re not the right buyer for the Lone Camp General Store, it certainly is worth the 60-minute drive from Fort Worth to see for yourself. Drive along the winding road of FM 4 and check out the scenery and peaceful views of the great Texas landscape. Go grab a piece of Heather’s pie or buy an entire pie and eat it in the car on the way home. As always, you’ll thank me profusely.
Special thanks to Josh and Heather Winbourn for taking the time to share their story and shed a few tears and laughs with this bow tie-wearing wannabe cowboy. And of course, big thanks to Brittany Jones, the Williams Trew Real Estate agent and go-getter for asking me to write about her listing.
For those interested, the Lone Camp General Store can be yours for $849,900. There’s one caveat — you have to allow for a lifetime of free pies for me when I visit. And I will visit!
