River Rose History & Vision

River Rose sits on 19 historic acres along the Paluxy River—land once known as Fairy Land, a mineral springs retreat where Texans came to rest and heal. Today, River Rose carries that legacy forward as a sanctuary for renewal and a place where people can rebuild their lives with dignity.

We serve individuals and families on the margins—those recovering from addiction, trauma, incarceration, or deep hardship. Using strengths-based coaching and the Genius Spark process, we help people rediscover what they naturally do best, regain stability, and move toward meaningful work and healthy relationships.

We also support those who serve others. Nonprofit teams, civic leaders, pastors, teachers, and first responders come here to rest, reset, and reconnect to their mission. Our guesthouse and meeting spaces are offered at little or no cost to help strengthen the community around us.

River Rose is more than a retreat center. It’s a working model of compassionate community design—blending historic preservation, strengths-based leadership, and shared stewardship. We believe recovery and resilience happen together, not alone.

Our vision is simple:

Create a place where lives can turn forward again and show other communities what’s possible.

 

River Rose Details
  • Structures: 7 buildings renovated or upgraded for residential, temporary housing, coaching, and retreat use
  • Investment: $750,000+ in renovations; $30,000+ in capital equipment
  • Operational Costs: ~$1,500/month for maintenance, brush clearing, and guest prep
  • Land Use: Includes a 3.5-acre undeveloped county parcel for future affordable housing/community village
  • Conservation Plan: Trail development, cedar removal, timber repurposing, and educational nature paths
  • Accessibility: 7-minute walk from the town square, registered as a historic city property