Photo: View of the Courthouse from Lake Granbury

History may be responsible for putting Granbury on the map, but the town's scenic beauty has served to frame that history quite well.

In fact, Granbury's natural assets have at times combined with history to form a most perfect marriage. Such is the case with Lake Granbury, whose sparkling waters brilliantly reflect the years found in the many historical buildings that line its shores.

All beauty aside, though, an 8,500-acre Lake Granbury also shines as a recreational paradise. Its shimmering waters are home to countless schools of black bass, catfish, and striper, and its 103 miles of shoreline include four parks, each with boat ramps and facilities for public swimming, camping, and picnicking.

The Granbury City Beach also provides facilities for boating, swimming, and picnicking, and McKelvey's Marina rents everything from canoes to ski boats while also providing docks for public fishing. As for fisherman who prefer trolling, there are several local fishing guides eager to accommodate, and charters are also available.

Another good place to wet a hook is the handicap-accessible Davis Catfish Ponds. Stocked with Arkansas catfish. these ponds are ideal for youngsters who don't have the patience to go long without getting a bite.

Fishermen may also want to test the waters of the 3,228-acre Squaw Creek Reservoir, a man-made lake whose centerpiece is Squaw Creek Park. The park's sandy beach attracts swimmers, and its boat ramps and campgrounds also draw a crowd. But thanks to the lake's crystal-clear waters, the park may be best known as a scuba diver's paradise.

The Tres Rios Campground and RV River Resort in Glen Rose offers outdoor enthusiasts yet another option. It is the only Texas campground to include a music hall, cabins, motels, and large and small meeting rooms. The facility also provides 500 R.V. hook-ups and 1-1/2 miles of waterfront camping.

The region's rolling hills are perfect for golf, and six courses in and around Granbury provide players the challenges they seek

Granbury's 18-hole Hidden Oaks Golf Course features a traditional championship layout with tree-lined fairways, beautiful scenery and meandering streams and lakes. The Granbury Country Club's semi private 9-hole golf course also welcomes greens fee players, and tee times are not required. The Sugartree Golf Course in nearby Dennis bears Golf Digest's four-star rating and the Dallas Morning News hails it as one of the 18 best rural golf courses in Texas. Also close by are the Nutcracker, Three Oaks and Squaw Valley courses.

The Nutcracker Golf Course in Pecan Plantation is carved out of a 2,600-acre pecan orchard wrapped around a bend in the Brazos River. It's championship tees are custom-made for scratch golfers. The 18-hole Squaw Valley Golf Course in Glen Rose features unique Scottish bries and water hazards and has been nominated as the nation's best public course. The area's other public course is located in Acton. It consists of nine par-three holes and is great for working out short-game kinks.

Granbury also attracts thrill seekers. They check in at Eagle Flight Skydiving, which is located at the Granbury Municipal Airport. The Eagle Flight staff is U.S.P.A.-rated and highly trained to teach those ready to take the plunge.

Several first-rate tennis facilities round out Granbury's outdoor recreational offerings. As for those who rather remain inside, there's still plenty to do. The Granbury Skating Rink is open to the public each Sunday afternoon and Friday night, and during the morning and evening hours on Saturday. Granbury Lanes, a 24-lane bowling alley, features automatic scoring, as well as a pro shop, snack bar and supervised playroom.