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About the Founders
Frio Cañon was co-founded by David Dalgleish and Dusty Black. Dalgleish, a master builder, is the owner of Austin-based Dalgleish Construction Company, which has been building high-end architectural homes for more than 28 years. Black is a former radio executive with Clear Channel. Their shared love of hill country land paired with Dalgleish’s passion for architecture and his extensive experience working with award-winning architects, has resulted in the vision for one of Texas’ premier second-home communities.
Dalgleish first discovered the Frio Cañon property in 2007, while looking for hill country land on which he could build vacation cottages for his family. He was looking for an easily accessible retreat, a place where his wife and five daughters — and eventually their spouses and children — would want to spend their holidays and vacations. It needed to offer the privacy of a traditional ranch but without the sense of isolation that often doesn’t appeal to younger family members. Ideally, there would be nearby activities — Frio River fishing, hunting, swimming, and shopping — to encourage youthful activity. When Dalgleish came upon an old ranch for sale, the land that would eventually become Frio Cañon, it was love at first sight. At its center were the crystal-clear headwaters of the Frio River. The panorama included rolling hills and the Frio River Valley.
Soon after purchasing part of the ranch, Dalgleish learned that the remaining ranch land was going to be developed into a high-density, low-end subdivision. If actualized, the project would negatively impact not only the scenery but also the wildlife. It was then that Dalgleish conceived Frio Cañon. He contacted Black, a long-time friend who had recently retired and was looking for a new venture. Together, they purchased the rest of the ranch property, including a mountain now dedicated to wildlife preservation. Dalgleish and Black would now be able to offer like-minded families and friends a Central Texas haven of their own.
In terms of the architecture he envisioned for himself and the Frio Cañon community, Dalgleish found inspiration in the sophisticated simplicity of the Cotswald villages in west-central England; the elegant casitas at The Royal Palms, Phoenix, AZ; the serene hideaways at the San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, CA; and in the gardens at the Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles, CA.
Today, the Dalgleish family are regular visitors to their home on the Frio River. For Dalgleish and his wife, this pristine segment of the hill country is the perfect antidote to the frenzied pace of city life. For their children, it is an ideal spot for hanging out with friends, while sitting around a campfire or tubing down the Frio River. The Dalgleish family hopes you’ll visit Frio Cañon. All it takes is one trip to realize how truly special the community is and fully appreciate all it has to offer.
