The Unstoppable Diane Wallace
By Steve Nussbaum | Photos by Erika Carter

Diane Wallace has never been one to shy away from a challenge – or to see an opportunity where others couldn’t.

In the fall of 2020, Wallace’s son was working at Possum Kingdom Lake and told her about the Rock Creek Camp being for sale. Wallace told him to gather some details, as she was always looking for a business opportunity.

At the time, Wallace already owned an RV park along the Brazos River called River Valley RV Resort. The property was nice, but it also was limited in what could be done for additional expansion.

When Wallace first saw Rock Creek in October 2020, she said she saw its potential immediately. It had been a fishing camp located on the north end of the lake for decades, and she could tell it needed some TLC – but she also had a vision of what it could become.

Wallace has spent the past 30 years investing in real estate. She was an emergency room nurse for 25 years and started investing in real estate while working in that profession. She said she bought her first investment property for $35,000 and put an additional $10,000 into it.

“I was scared to death,†Wallace said. “I didn’t even have $35,000 at the time, but I did it anyway.â€

She said she sold the property 90 days later for $90,000.

Wallace has done the same thing almost 80 times since then. She said her biggest challenge was restoring a historic Victorian mansion in Galveston that originally was built in 1874 and was the seaside escape for the Frank McCoy family (of McCoy’s Building Supply fame) during the 1920s. The old home had survived fires and hurricanes, but over the years it had been split up into apartments.

Wallace decided to bring the house back to its original glory, and the project took five years. After she brought the home back to life, Wallace lived in the home for a few years before returning to her roots in north-central Texas.

When speaking about the Rock Creek Camp, Wallace said she had one thought the first time she saw it: “If I can restore a 146-year-old Victorian mansion, I can take on this project!†The upgrades started almost immediately after her purchase in January 2021. One of the first things she did was buy the property’s showcase flagpole and flag, which can be seen from miles away and is a beacon for those driving down Highway 16 toward the lake. The flagpole is 150 feet tall, while

the flag measures more than 1,800 square feet and weighs 77 pounds.

Other projects completed last year included cleaning up the camp and remodeling several of the old cabins. She remodeled all the restrooms and laundry rooms to give it a modern “Texas chic†décor. The reunion building has also been remodeled, an onsite convenience store, Paradise Point, was built new this past year. The store carries all the necessities needed at the lake, in addition to a great selection of cute apparel and lake décor. Another amenity is a new fish cleaning station.

The biggest addition to the park is the pool, which is set to open this August, and it isn’t just any pool, either; in fact, it’s set to become the centerpiece of the resort.

The huge pool is unlike anything currently on the lake. The “kiddy pool†section will have a collection of animal characters that spray water and add fun for the little ones, similar to what might be seen at a high-end water park. The main pool itself is the ultimate lakeside retreat, surrounded by beautiful oak trees and featuring a great view of the lake. The pool will be divided into several “relaxation zones,†with tables and built-in stools for comfort. The pool also will have a large cabana area for watching games with a beverage, and a deck space with multiple covered areas.

The pool is being built by RedFin Pools, with Let Us Do it Landscaping providing the landscaping. The entire space is surrounded by palms and natural-looking nature landscapes.

Additional plans call for adding a restaurant and more upgrades to some of the older buildings on the property. Wallace has a vision for the property and is continuing to add things that add to the “wow†factor to the camp. She said she wants guests to think, “Oh, this is going to be good!†when they turn off Highway 16 and start down the road to the camp.

Working on the camp is a true family affair. Wallace’s daughter, Ashley Bourdelias, is the camp manager, and both of them can be found most days on the property, because both are firm believers that guests want to see the owner or manager on the site. Ashley’s husband, Jeremy, and their two kids Cooper and Addison all work at the camp.

Wallace said she walks around the camp on most mornings, saying hello to the campers out and about. She’s even been known to give out cute tablecloths to make each campsite look a little more special.

Those who haven’t been to Rock Creek Camp lately should go check it out. The changes are very impressive – and it’s just the beginning for the unstoppable Diane Wallace and her team.