Married in 1910, Hardy Washington Lewis & Dula Tally began their lives together in Smithville, TX.  "H.W." was a railroad man, road builder, and business man. He fell in love upon seeing the hills in Real County and the beautiful Frio River.In 1934 their dream of owning a piece of the hill country, deep in the heart of Texas, came true and soon construction began on the lodge, lovingly referred to as the Rockhouse.