HSB philanthropist speaks about the beginnings of the city
Eileen Hurd speaks Thursday, April 16, about the obstacles her family overcame in Horseshoe Bay’s early days.
By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula
As Eileen Hurd spoke Thursday, April 16, people watched through a massive window as a storm rolled over the city Hurd was instrumental in founding with her husband and his cousin.
Since then, Hurd has been a philanthropist, instrumental in the Horseshoe Bay Property Owners’ Association’s Mausoleum and nature preserve and donating the property where the Catholic and Protestant churches in the city reside.
“We’re privileged that Eileen has chosen to tell us her story,” said Ann Higdon, Women of the Word (WOW) committee president.
Hurd’s journey took her from Great Britain to Texas, eventually landing in what would become Horseshoe Bay.
In her speech, Hurd detailed the founding of the city in the 1970s, including many obstacles to overcome. Plenty of folks did not believe in the Hurd’s vision; even the banker who loaned money to purchase a ranch that would become the Horseshoe Bay Resort later called his own decision “questionable,” prompting the audience’s laughter.
The annual springtime event held by the Women of the Word organization at the Church of Horseshoe Bay sold out, at least in part because of the featured speaker.
For more, see Tuesday's Highlander.
