Meet the woman who transformed a historic home into a colorful, mural-filled bed and breakfast where the Hill Country meets the Heart of Texas.
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Although Mae Gonzales spent most of her adult life in Austin, the innkeeper can trace her family back to Stephen F. Austin’s original colony.
“[My ancestors] made their mark in Texas history, and I always wanted to leave a little mark of my own,” said Gonzales, who longed many years for a bed-and-breakfast with a space for art activities and family events.
“I started searching for a place to do this after my sons left home. My search led me by accident to San Saba. I have been all over this state but had never been here. I fell in love with the people and all the natural beauty this little hidden gem has to offer,” she said. “I also felt a real energy and desire to develop economic growth here and was impressed by all the work they have done, and continue to do toward those ends . . . . I like the idea that I am filling a need here since economic growth depends on having nice accommodations for visitors.”
Gonzales described the small town (population 3,807) on the northern edge of the Texas Hill Country as having an “abundance of natural resources,” including Mill Pond Park. “The city puts on events there with fireworks and lights set to music in a beautiful display during the Christmas holidays. It is free and no crowds to fight or parking issues.”
Although Gonzales’ original plans for an event venue fell through, she said she fell hard for the big old house on West Commerce Street and set about to fill the walls with her own mural paintings. Collectively the murals at Aunt M’s Illustrated Inn reflect the environment and culture of the surrounding area and lend to the guest house’s distinct name.
“I have a Vineyard Suite, a Mill Pond Suite, and a Lonesome Dove Room because San Saba has a rich western history and Tommy Lee Jones is from here. My dining room where I serve a big hot breakfast is painted to feel like you are dining on a patio with scenes from around the area surrounding you. Of course I had to include the landmark Wedding Oak tree. I like the idea that my artwork is here if people want to come see it. That is another unique attraction that San Saba has to offer.”
The house itself may be 100 years old but Gonzales prides herself on providing the essentials for a comfortable, thoroughy modern getaway.
“I have soft linens and robes in the rooms. People love the comfy beds. Every room has a refrigerator, microwave, snacks, drinks, and an ice maker in the hall. Each suite has a private bath and I have one fully wheelchair-accessible suite and bathroom. One bathroom has a jacuzzi and a shower. We have all the modern items like free Wi-Fi, Direct TV with premium channels on large televisions. I always have fresh cookies in the room on arrival.”
Although San Saba has not yet cemented itself yet as a tourist destination on the scale of larger towns like Marble Falls, Fredericksburg, or Boerne, for many the authentic small town vibe is a crucial part of the community’s draw. And though it may be small, there’s still plenty to see and do. Gonzales said the community draws interest from a interesting constellation of visitors: foodies, game hunters, wine enthusiasts, and ordinary getaway fans. There’s also an annual pro rodeo and a golf course.
“We have a plethora of pecan shops and goodies [San Saba calls itself the “Pecan Capital of the World”], and it is a hunter’s paradise,” said Gonzales. “There are several award-winning wineries here and nearby, and we have tasting events through the year.”
One big event of note for oenophiles is the annual Sip and Stroll, held the second weekend in December. “Wineries set up in the shops for tastings, then there is a big parade,” said Gonzales. “It’s lots of fun with food, drinks, and family activities.”
The downtown area is a big draw as well, especially for folks craving a taste of quaint, small town life.
“There are several really beautiful shops on the main street. The Mercantile is one of the restored buildings that houses about twelve vendors selling antiques, clothing, and unique gifts.There is the San Saba Olive Oil Company, and Harry’s Boots has been here since the 1930s. There’s The Hill Country Perfumery and numerous pecan shops and orchards. For meals, Bread to Dough Bakery and Oliver & Co. offer unique bistro style dining, Gage’s and Young’s offer delicious BBQ , while Bella Sera and La Citta offer Italian food. Diggs Restaurant & Club serves up a giant steak and potato with a full bar. Bar D Brew House has craft beer. Pepperbelly’s and several other little family run businesses offer Mexican food.”
Yes, it’s a lot to offer in a small town situated in the ruggedly alluring Hill Country region. The location is also incredibly convenient for city dwellers looking to get out of traffic and urban hassles.
“San Saba is less than a two-hour drive through beautiful countryside–especially during wildflower season–from Austin, San Antonio, and Killeen. We are 30 minutes from Llano and Lampasas for more shopping and 30 minutes from beautiful Colorado Bend State Park with the state’s tallest waterfall, Gorman Falls. There are cave tours, camping, fishing, bat viewing, hiking, and so forth nearby. Our location is so central we have become a real attraction for family reunions,” said Gonzales. “Most of the year a visit to San Saba is a quiet beautiful quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and traffic. And will refresh your soul to sit in the peace and quiet of my inn’s balcony up in the treetops.”
Pamela Price is the founder of TheTexasWildflower.com.
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Explore More
• Aunt M’s Illustrated Inn is located at 203 West Commerce in San Saba. The official AuntMsIllustratedInn.com and Gonzales maintains Facebook and Instagram pages, too, for her business.
• On Instagram, some of our readers’ other favorite San Saba hotspots include: Wedding Oak Winery, San Saba Soap Company, San Saba County Foundation, San Saba Texas, and Old Man Scary Cellars. (Tip: Not on Instagram? Follow the links to find their respective websites.)
• For upcoming San Saba events, be sure to check out the Visit San Saba website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter accounts.
• One of our favorite Hill Country travel bloggers, April Monterrosa of San Antonio, just took a trip to San Saba in September and wrote about the Regency Suspension Bridge, the Lone Star State’s last suspension bridge.
