Fueled by childhood memories of a once-thriving town and a desire to give back to the community, Brooks Gremmels bought property – lots of it – in and around small, unincorporated Ben Wheeler along Hwy. 64 and FM 773 in southern Van Zandt County. His plan: to return the town back to its 1935 look and to bring new businesses, and inspire a new community-friendly attitude and sense of pride back into the area through events, festivities and other social projects.