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Hill Country Wine, WALK TO FOOD, BARS, WINERIES...

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Gorgeous, historic home on the square, best location in Johnson City!
Beautiful Historic Home
Read all about it
Welcome! Come on in.
Beautiful Living area with view of courthouse.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10200.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Johnson City, TX
  • Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Texas Hills Vineyards
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Exotic Resort Zoo
    ‪5 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

+1
2 Single Beds, 2 King Beds and 1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area

About this property

Hill Country Wine, WALK TO FOOD, BARS, WINERIES...

Experience the history of a Victorian mansion with over 100 years of history. Feel the power of time wash over you as you make the Helmly house your home.  This is the greatest location ever!  Within a 5 block radius you can walk to all the great bars, restaurants, wineries, shops and art galleries!


We understand that things are a little more difficult during these times than normal so we have instituted:
- A flexible cancellation policy
- Coupons and discounts for future bookings
- Reduced minimum stay requirements
- Reduced daily rates
- Increased discounts for longer stays
- Employing stringent cleaning procedures
- Self check-in tools for no contact check in / out
- Quality work areas and internet for “workcations”


Make the Helmly house your home away from home. Also known as “The Barnwell house”, the building was built in 1913 by Dr. James Franklin Barnwell who established it as Blanco County’s first hospital. The hospital was equipped with the county’s first X-Ray machine and a Delco Plant to furnish electricity for better lighting. .


Come inside and enjoy tall open ceilings warm hardwood floors plus all the conveniences of modern living. This four-bedroom, three bath house has all the creature comforts of modern day life. Super comfortable beds, and a modern fully stocked kitchen fit for Chef, 2160 ft.² of comfortable living area plus a beautiful dining room and living room to relax in after a wonderful day of exploring the Texas Hill country sites.


The dining room features a fireplace with a gas burning fire, antique tile and a beautiful built in wooden mantle. Relax by the fire with the warm meal or a cool drink and reflect upon your day. The ceilings on the first floor are all 12 feet high. Marvel at the early 18th century craftsmanship with beadboard walls and tongue and groove ceilings. All the rooms also feature beautiful ceiling fans for your comfort.


Enjoy the living room with a view of the Blanco County Courthouse. This view is especially magical from Thanksgiving through the New Year’s holidays because the downtown area is lit with over 2 million Christmas lights. Enjoy a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and the view of the courthouse across the street as lighted horse drawn carriages and antique tractor pulled hay rides parade by in front of the home.


Enter the dream kitchen. Whether you are preparing a four-course meal or just chilling the wine that you have gathered from region, this kitchen will pamper you.
Kitchen includes:
• Gas cook top with stainless steel lighted vent hood
• Stainless steel wall oven and microwave
• Stainless side by side fridge
• Small appliances: drip style coffee maker, toaster, toaster oven, blender, citrus juicer, crock pot
• Pots, pans, cookware, baking ware, Tupperware, cookie sheets…
• Dishes, bowls, glasses of all types…
• Measuring cups, cutting boards…
• Silverware, cooking utensils and pretty much anything you can think of


The master bedroom is downstairs with a luxuriously comfortable king bed and a very spacious ensuite bathroom. This bathroom has a walk in shower with dual shower heads, and two separate vanities.


Walk up the beautifully refinished staircase to the story above you. The largest upstairs bedroom boasts another comfortable king bed that you will most certainly want to take home with you.  The bedroom on the front of the house has cottage like decor, a queen bed and a beautiful view of the town square and the Blanco county courthouse.  The third bedroom is equipped with a beautiful Trundle Bed.


The upstairs bathroom will take you back in time with the delightfully refinished original floors with and all the comforts of home.


Helmly House is ideally situated on a 1/3 of an acre lot. Enjoy the patio furniture and choose either charcoal or gas with the dual fuel barbecue grill on the patio. Enjoy your time outside beneath beautiful, ancient live oak trees that are over hundreds of years old and provide delightful shade as you sip, savor and enjoy the view of the beautiful grounds and the Blanco county courthouse.


After your time in the house has recharged you. Visit the courthouse for a feeling of the history of this region. The shops, restaurants and bars are just steps away. Within a three block walk you can visit two wineries, one brewery, two bars, art galleries, boutiques and countless shops full of hill country treasures like art, antiques and gifts.


The Helmly House is ideally suited for hosting events. For more information about that please contact me.


We hope to see you soon at the Helmly House. You’re gonna love it!  -Reed
Pets – No pets are allowed at this property. We did that for a few years and they just left too many stains on the carpet!

The entire house and grounds are yours to enjoy!  I'm always available by phone. Feel free to voice call me or send me a text.  Wow, the neighborhood is totally AMAZING. You are really in the middle of everything here!   Pecan Street Brewing will always be an amazing experience. Cristal, Don and Jackie are some of the hardest working folks in town. They consistently put out an amazing array of beer and their chef turns out some of the most amazing food you will ever eat.   If you want something a little more upscale, go see Bryan Gillenwater at Bryan’s on 290. Everything that comes out of his kitchen will delight your taste buds! To get there just walk down Ave G back to Highway 290 (Main St), turn left, walk another block and you will see it at the corner of Ave F and Main St.  If you are feeling more like some amazing wine, give Henry Crowson over at Crowson Winery a call. They do most of their tastings by reservation, so look up their phone number and call Henry. Crowson’s is right across Avenue G from the Pecan Street Brewery.   If you are up for a 5 block walk, then stroll down to the 290 Vinery. You will probably run into Warren Vilmarie the owner or the daughter of his lovely bride, Alison Lanik who will treat you to a large selection of wines from this area as well as across the world.  If you want to feel like a tourist and see the sights, just walk across the street to the Blanco County courthouse. In these halls are some great photos of the sights around Blanco county as well as some really cool photo albums that some of the area historians have put together.   Walk around the 1894 Blanco County Jail that is next to the Pecan Street Brewery. It was the sight of a famous jailbreak in 1897 and was used to house prisoners until the new jail was just recently built.  There is so much more. I'll make my "book" available to you after you make your reservation.  There are wine trail buses you can hire that will pick you up at your doorstep and take you safely around to the various Vinyards. Security: there is one camera located in the living room, pointed at the inside of the front door. I mainly use it to make sure that my contractors are doing their job. Feel free to take a small towel and cover the camera during your stay.
Explanation about the damage deposit:  Your reservation may require a damage deposit. If you are booking on my website, the checkout process will be easy. However, if you are booking on VRBO, they will show it as a "Refundable deposit paid at property". That is not accurate. The deposit is simply a credit card hold which is authorized on the day that you arrive and then automatically drops off 7 days after you leave. If you leave with no damage, you will never notice it. If there is damage, I will notify you of what I have found prior to making any type of claim against that hold. I'm sorry that VRBO describes it that way, but I have brought it to their attention, and they say it is the only thing that can be done with their system. I think they are just putting the square peg in the round hole. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Property manager

Reed Helmly
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Parking available
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 30
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Johnson City

Located in Johnson City, this holiday home is in the city centre. TASTE Wine Art and Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Exotic Resort Zoo and Texas Hill Country Wineries.
Map
Johnson City, TX

What's nearby

  • TASTE Wine Art - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Highland Lakes - 3 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Texas Hills Vineyards - 3 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Exotic Resort Zoo - 5 min drive - 6.6 km

Getting around

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Pecan Street Brewing - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Fat Boy Burgers - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪El Charro Restaurant - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪El Agave - ‬13 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Hill Country Wine, WALK TO FOOD, BARS, WINERIES... pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

What time is check-in at Hill Country Wine, WALK TO FOOD, BARS, WINERIES...?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hill Country Wine, WALK TO FOOD, BARS, WINERIES...?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Hill Country Wine, WALK TO FOOD, BARS, WINERIES... located?

Located in the heart of Johnson City, this holiday home is steps away from TASTE Wine Art and Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum. Western Art & Artifacts and Lyndon B. Johnson Boyhood Home are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 96 out of 98 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 98 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 98 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 98 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 98 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Laurie Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Historic Home

We loved the house and its location. It has real character. It is near several great places to eat within walking distance, but still in a private and quiet neighborhood. It is very clean and has the best equipped kitchen I have had in a rental! Communication was great. We toured several of the nearby wineries and will be planning another stay here for next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martin E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

4/10 Poor

Randy S.

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good old Victorian warmth

What a great place to be warm and cozy during this arctic blast! Just a short walk across the street to good food and drink. It was a great starting place for Winery exploration. This place is worth a repeat visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming Historic Home

Enjoyed our stay over New Years Eve. Beautiful lit Courthouse and grounds across street. Walkable to restaurants and stores.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Classic Hill Country Christmas

Our family's stay at the historic house in Johnson City was magical, right in the midst of the Christmas festivities. The house's old-world charm, with its vintage decor and period furnishings, transports you back in time, perfectly capturing the spirit of a classic Christmas. Stepping outside, you're immediately part of the holiday cheer with horse drawn carriages, markets, and lights all around, making every moment feel like a scene from a holiday story.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Morgan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Historic house in a great town

My husband and I came in for a wedding. Our stay was perfect. The house was cute and clean. The property manager was very easy to get in touch with. The house even had Christmas lights up for the holiday season. We were able to walk and get food, coffee & explore their Main Street.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Martin E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful house, great location

We enjoyed this historic house. The location is perfect. Everyone in our group had a great time!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house

We absolutely loved the house. It was the perfect location.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ric H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

In Johnson City for Niece's 50th

Historic home with excellent modern air conditioning which was much appreciated due to the heat wave!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allen V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wine country get away

It is a wonderful older home. Very well appointed. Lovely modern amenities. Very cozy and comfortable. Easy walk to restaurants and bars. Close to vineyards. It was a perfect getaway , thank you ,Reed !
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Reunion in Johnson City

Came to meet up with family & friends in hill country. The home is charming, comfortable & well stocked. Loved sitting under the oaks drinking coffee in the morning & wine at night. Fantastic location between Dripping Springs & Fredricksberg. We'll be back! ❤️
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helen H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love at first Site!!!

The property fix 4 women perfectly— 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. The living room was amazing with a view of the courthouse! What a beautiful patio under oak trees —so cool and inviting. Thank you Reed for sharing your treasure.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Martin E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot

Just as advertised
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Garrison Brothers limited release

On Saturday 7/20/24 Garrison Brothers distillery released very popular Laguna Madre. My family and I have decided to be there first thing in the morning….. What a better way to accomplish this that staying night before nearby. We looked at places to stay and found beautiful looking Victorian house in the heart of Johnson City which is only short distance from GB distillery. As it turned out the house was beautiful not just from outside but inside as well. Gorgeous original furniture and decorations blend nicely with modern accommodations. The rooms were specious and very clean, beds comfortable, washrooms smelled very fresh. Outside area was spotless with mature oaks providing shade and gentle breeze. Don’t miss your chance to experience this very special place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Delanie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great weekend getaway

We truly enjoyed this quiet, lovely, clean, historic home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

JK F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Center of the Hill Country

I needed a place that would be central in the Texas Hill Country to all the State Parks we wanted to visit. This home was in the perfect location! Johnson City is quiet & quaint. Easy walk to get a bite to eat and short drive to all the State Parks on our list. And even though we were in the center of town we felt perfectly safe. The home has been lovingly restored and we had a wonderful week there!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

James W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Perfect Escape

This is my second time to stay at Helmly House. Not only is the house convenient to nearby restaurants and vineyards, but it’s also very clean, spacious and architecturally beautiful. Reed is a great host. His priority is to make your stay pleasant and memorable. I look forward to staying here for a third time in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Victoria M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything was great

The house was in a great location, walkable to Johnson City restaurants, short drive to wineries. We had a girls trip and the house was perfect for our tribe. Would return.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Johnson City spring break

We were looking for a place to stay for our family for a quick getaway to Johnson City. The place was just what we needed and it had lots of charm. I'm not sure I would stay here with very small children since lots of precious items. It was also a good location to do wine tasting. Both the kids got their own room, which was priceless.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stefani V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Girls’ Weekend

This house was a perfect place for a girls’ weekend. Several great places to eat, shop, and sip! All within walking distance. Short dive to Winerys, if so inclined. The house had great bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate all of us. The living room and porch were perfect for hanging out and visiting. I definitely recommend this house!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carly H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house right in the center of town

My five friends and I had a wonderful stay during our 10th annual girls’ weekend. The house is beautiful and within walking distance to coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, and wine tasting rooms. We had a fabulous time and can’t wait to book again!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Helmly House

My wife, daughter and I had a wonderful family vacation here over Christmas. The charm of the old house was well appreciated. The Christmas decorations were outstanding and made it all very home-like.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pamela F., Lake Charles, LA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location

This was a great choice for our group. We traveled to the area for a family wedding. This home had everything we needed. Character, charm and location to boot!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Reed Helmly

Host profile image
We are Texas natives who love the hill county. We have grown especially fond of the 290 wine trail region and absolutely love Johnson City! I hope you will share this wonderful house, community and area with us some day.

Why they chose this property

This property really speaks for it's self! What an amazing piece of history. We do our best to preserve the character and history of this house while making it an amazing comfortable and welcoming place for you and your family to enjoy.

What makes this property unique

Location, Location, Location. Walk from here to so many wonderful things.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests