Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Smith.
Jimmy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Our history with this special property began in the 1940’s when my aunt and uncle, Mark and Jack Biggs, began operating their property as a “fishing camp” and retreat for a series of oil companies such as Magnolia and Charter. Much of my childhood was spent here.
In 1969, my father, Dr. J.D. Smith, Sr., acquired the property and developed it as an RV camp named Big Thicket Camp Park. The entire family was involved in its construction and operation.
In February of 1984 I bought out the rest of my family and launched an ambitious new construction phase. I designed and built the first log cabin in the winter of 1985. By the end of 1986, we had built 14 lakeside log cabins of various configurations and a 14,000-square-foot lodge, which included dormitory accommodations and meeting facilities. We re-named the property Chain-O-Lakes Resort and Conference Center.
In 1987, we acquired Hilltop Herb Farm Restaurant (founded by pioneer herb gardener, Madalene Hill) and moved it to the resort. Ever since, Hilltop has continued to please the palates of discerning diners with its unique seasonings and fresh ingredients.
By 1992, we had built 27 log cabins and The State of Texas’ Tourism Division dubbed Chain-O-Lakes the “Best Least Known Resort” and the East Texas Chamber of Commerce referred to us as “The Crown Jewel of East Texas.” In 1993, we expanded Hilltop Restaurant to 10,000 square feet by adding two meeting rooms.
During the 1990’s, an increasing number of corporate clients began using the facilities for team-building and strategic-planning retreats and I began phasing out my dental practice in Humble in order to devote myself to designing and facilitating these retreats. My daughter Stacy, and son Wyatt (returned from his service in the Marines) joined the company at this time.
2002 was a pivotal year. We had expanded to 32 log cabins and decided to discontinue all camping services. We also finished construction of “The Hospitality House,” which houses our lobby, registration area, business services center, gift shop, meeting rooms, and our offices
That year, we also acquired the balance of the original 500 acres, restoring the property to its 1915 boundaries. We developed 400 of those acres as a gated, low-density subdivision of lakefront homes we named Artesian Lakes. For consistency, we changed the name of the resort from Chain-O-Lakes to The Retreat at Artesian Lakes.
Over the years, the Smith family has continued to act in the capacity of steward in carefully developing and preserving this natural resource for the soul. In the words of Chief Seattle: “We did not inherit the earth from our forefathers, we are borrowing it from our children.” My son Wyatt, is the current General Manager and his wife, Jenna, manages our Accounting Department.
In keeping with the expressed desires of our valued guests, who return to us with great regularity, we continue to upgrade the “creature comforts” of our accommodations and cuisine to enhance their interlude in the great outdoors. As subscribers to the philosophy of excellent service and gracious Southern hospitality, the Smith family and the resort’s extraordinary staff, invite guests to consider The Retreat at Artesian Lakes as their place in the country. A place to “Retreat Themselves.”
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing is ever completely smooth and, of course, we’ve had our challenges. Two hurricanes (Rita and Ike) and a devastating fire to name a few.
In 2005, Rita destroyed thousands of our stately Loblolly Pines and hardwoods. A tornado spawned by the hurricane tore off the roofs of three of our log cabins. The cleanup took weeks but we made the most of it, moving two of the cabins to new locations and using many of the gigantic fallen trees to build beautiful tables for several accommodations.
In 2008, Ike ripped through the property, destroying thousands of trees again but this time there was no damage to our key buildings.
As soon as we caught our breath after these two natural disasters, on a quiet Sunday afternoon in October of 2009 after hosting a 500-guest wedding reception the previous evening, our venerable Lodge and Great Hall burned to the ground. The upside: Although we lost the venue for all our large events (100 to 500 guests), we were able to maintain our long-standing relationship with one of our most valued corporate guests, Baylor College of Medicine, who brings its first-year medical students for an annual retreat and decided to continue to do so by holding the meetings outdoors in July!
Day-to-day challenges are less dramatic but more challenging: Due to our remote location (which makes us so unique and wonderful) we find it difficult to attract and keep staff for some positions. Attracting customers for our fabulous Sunday brunch at Hilltop Restaurant also proves daunting and finally, after almost 50 years as a family business, we continue to be one of the best-kept secrets…partly because our guests like to keep us to themselves!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Retreat at Artesian Lakes – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Retreat at Artesian Lakes is a resort and conference center located 18 miles northeast of Cleveland (69 miles north of downtown Houston on Hwy. 59).
We offer overnight accommodations in 32 authentic log cabins overlooking lakes, five “log suites” located across from Swim Lake, and seven private homes located in the adjacent Artesian Lakes second-home community. The cabins feature fireplaces and small kitchens. The log suites feature double Jacuzzi tubs and the private homes feature a number of special amenities.
During the week, we host corporate and non-corporate retreats with Complete Meeting Packages including accommodations, meals and snack breaks, meeting rooms and evening hospitality suite. We boast one of the most complete challenge (ropes) courses and highly-regarded Facilitation Services.
Weekend stays include a horse-drawn carriage ride to complimentary breakfast at Hilltop Restaurant. On weekends, we also offer Lovers’ Packages that include two-nights in romance cabins and all meals including a picnic basket lunch on Saturday.
Our “high-season” begins Memorial Day weekend and ends Labor Day weekend.
Hilltop Restaurant serves breakfast every morning during this time and The Grille, at the Swimming Area, is open for lunch.
Our focus is on outdoor activities including excellent fishing in several interconnected lakes and a children’s pond stocked with Blue Gill, guided horseback trail rides, canoeing, hiking on two nature trails, and swimming in a salt-water pool with waterfalls and hot tub, and in an Artesian water-fed lake featuring two giant slides. We also offer playgrounds, a Frisbee golf course, and an herb garden.
Indoors, we offer massage therapy, a fitness center, and a lobby, bar and lending library of books and games.
Hilltop Restaurant and its adjacent Herb Garden provide a popular venue for weddings and special events of up to 100 guests.
The restaurant features a New Orleans-style Seafood Buffet every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., a three-course prix-fix dinner every Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., and Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Season.
Hilltop also offers lavish lunch buffets on Easter Sunday, Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, and Thanksgiving. Gourmet, multi-course dinners are offered on Valentine’s and New Year’s Eve.
Hilltop produces a complete line of chutneys, jams and jellies prepared under Executive Chef Jim Condra’s direction using herbs from the garden.
Nature is the focus in all our endeavors, as we provide a respite from big city life.
Here, children often discover and always enjoy the wonders of the great outdoors and become our most enthusiastic fans.
Couples and families often remark on how, during their stay, they “reconnected with each other” or “came together as a family.” We consider this our greatest compliment.
At the Artesian Lakes community, we pride ourselves in the fact that
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The cultural offerings! Museums, opera, music, ballet, symphony, theater… Shopping and dining options.
Friendliness and diversity.
All the new green spaces, trees, parks being recently added inside the Loop. Fantastic!
The Medical Center
Downtown
Traffic but we realize it’s inevitable.
Contact Info:
- Address: 235 Chain-O-Lakes Resort
Cleveland, TX 77327 - Website: www.artesianlakes.com
- Phone: 832 397-4008
- Email: helenasmith@artesianlakes.com
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
