2014 fcr visitors guide

Visitors Guide 2014-20152

EVENTS • REUNIONS • WEEKEND ESCAPESWEDDING ACCOMMODATIONS • BIKE RIDER HOUSING

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Jordan Fischman,Broker

Meet the Country Butler

Property Management & Maintenance ServicesLodging & Reservations

Jordan Fischman, Broker

979.476.2757www.countrybutlertexas.com

[email protected] N. Rusk-Offices • Fayetteville, Texas 78940

ONLINE RESERVATIONSSELECT IT! CLICK IT! BOOK IT!

We have an automated on-line reservation system, where you canview the properties and book it yourself on-line 24/7/365. Or, you can call

us and we will help with the process. If you need more than one placefor an event or have a special need or requirement. We can

help you with information about your visit to our area.

Guest Lodging facilities for you in Fayette County and surroundingcommunities. Homes, Rooms, and Cottages. We have a

variety of properties for your visit and relaxation.

A Texas residentfor 35 years, and

a property owner in Fayette County, for over14 years, Jordan Fischman knows what youneed and more importantly, knows what youexpect. A strong commitment to prompt,professional and reliable service is the primaryfocus of the company and all associated with it.

Whether you need Property Care & Services, or need agreat place to relax with our Lodging & Reservations

Program, we aim to please and make it enjoyable.Insured and Bonded • References on request

Lodging & Guest House OwnersLet Country Butler Manage Your Facility

Reservations & Bookings 24/7/365We do the Billing-Payments,

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Don’t see a service you need, call Country Butler! We aim to please.

What can the Country Butler do for you?Country Butler aims to provide peace of mind. We offer a range ofservices dedicated to home owners on a regular basis. • Full Service Painting Inside/Outside • Lawn Mowing ServiceCountry Butler can play a crucial role in helping you maintainyour investment as a relaxing and worry free experience.

Imagine arriving at your property to find your driveway cleaned, your houseimmaculate, air conditioned, and stocked with provisions, for your enjoyment.

2014-2015 Visitors Guide 3

This Visitors Guide is produced annually by the Fayette County Record. The independently-owned Record is in its 92nd year of service to its readers and has the fourth-largest paid circulation of all twice-weekly newspapers in the state of Texas.

To view a copy of this guide on the web (or to subscribe or view the e-edition of our newspaper) go to www.fayettecountyrecord.comOn the cover: Photos from Joan Herring, Russell Bennett, Festival Hill and the Texas Quilt Museum. Cover design by John Castaneda.

Fayette County is a land that holds tight to its heritage, but we are also proud to share it.So whatever language you might hear it in, you are “welcome” here in Fayette County.And if you’re wondering, those words at the top of the page are “welcome” in English,

Czech, German and Spanish.Fayette County was founded by settlers from several different cultures and everywhere

you look, from our Painted Churches to our painstakingly restored town squares, we’ve tried to cling to that heritage, but also preserve it for future generations to enjoy.

As diverse as Fayette County is culturally, it likewise has such a wealth of diverse things to do and experience (hence the heft of this 120-page Visitors Guide).

There’s world class musical offerings at Round Top’s Festival Hill and La Grange’s Bu-

gle Boy. You can watch Shakespeare in a barn theater in Winedale or marvel at art galleries galore in Fayetteville. Some of the finest quilts in the world that are on display in La Grange.

The local countryside – from rolling hills to hardwood forests – stands out in stark con-trast to the bustling cities and suburbs of Houston, Austin and San Antonio which are all less than two hours away.

Whether you’re just visiting this area, or viewing this guide while sitting on your own front porch here, we hope this guide makes you feel welcome to explore all Fayette County has to offer.

Jeff Wick, Editor, Fayette County Record

Welcome. Vítejte. Willkommen. Bienvenido.

About This Guide

Fayetteville.................................................. Table of Contents

Flatonia........................................................ Page 18

Schulenburg................................................. Page 26

Carmine........................................................ Page 36

Round Top..................................................... Page 45

La Grange..................................................... Page 59


By PAT JOHNSONSpecial to the Record

You can definitely spell art with a capital ‘A’ in Fayetteville, Texas. Drawn to its beauty, pastoral landscapes, and close proximity to three major

art hubs it continues to support the influx of visual artists, architects and musicians. Fayetteville is home to a major contemporary art gallery, an art non-profit serving rural Texas, a world class chamber music festival, and popular bluegrass and country music event.

Fayetteville will be getting even more exposure in the international art world on March 22-23, 2014, during Fotofest, an international gathering and exhibitions of pho-tographers and their work that occurs every other year in Houston. This year, Fayetteville has an honor of being an outlying exhibit location drawing visitors and locals to gal-leries around the square including: The Red & White Gal-lery, ARTS Gallery, and the Country Place Gallery.

Some of the area artist included in the Fayetteville shows are Jerry Brown, Joan Herring, Jerry Herring, Kath-leen Kramr and Art Stokes.

The opening of the Red and White Inn and Gallery has placed Fayetteville even more on the art radar. The old Red and White, built in 1835, has had many businesses in it over the years including the original grocery store. Owners Joan and Jerry Herring have turned the upstairs of the historic two story building into a 4-bed, 4-bathroom inn. On the first floor the Red and White Gallery shows one person and group exhibitions.

The gallery opened in December 2012 with Edgar von Minden’s Fayetteville Building. Jesus Moroles, internation-ally recognized sculptor and 2008 recipient of the National Medal of Arts, nationally recognized painter and educator William Anzalone, watercolor master Mary Quiros and Fayetteville artist Pat Johnson have had block-buster exhib-its there this past year. Kicking off 2014 with Laura Wil-son’s stunning photography has set the pace for this year’s exhibition schedule. Wilson will have a retrospective of her work on the Amercian West at the Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth later this year. Check out their website for a listing of upcoming exhibitions, openings and popular “art-ist talks”.

Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS), headquartered in Fayette-ville, enhances the area’s exposure to the visual and per-forming arts. Founded in 2003, they have been augmenting school art programs in Fayette, Colorado and Austin coun-ties with Art After School and Fine Art Assemblies. The assemblies bring individual artists and groups, such as the Houston Grand Opera, the Austin Ballet, and Texas music legend Darden Smith to perform and teach in local schools.

Fayetteville an Inviting Mix

Of History & Art

The Fayetteville town square is a center of activity. Continued on next page


Summer Art Camp is held annually for area school children. It provides art enrichment through five-week summer sessions. They also host art exhibitions, music events and film screenings.

One of ARTS major fundraiser has raised over $100,000 that has contributed to arts and cultural events for over 6,000 chil-dren and adults. The annual ACT Recep-tion and Silent Auction entitled “An Even-ing with the Masters” will be presented on Saturday, March 8. Showcased will be 100 pieces of artwork by internationally known artists. ACT (Artist Changing Tomorrow) is a program developed to sustain and main-tain the visual, literary, and performing arts with a goal to provide art education, school and community art programs and outreach.

ArtWalk is ARTS annual outdoor juried

fine art show on the square in Fayetteville held May 3-4, 2014. The two-day event draws people from around the state to view fine arts and crafts for sale, and to enjoy wine and food served on the historic court-house lawn.

The Texas Pickin Park sponsors blue-grass acoustic jam sessions held the second weekend, April through November on the courthouse lawn. Casual pickin on Friday night leads into workshops and jam sessons all day Saturday, that attracts pickers from all over the state.

The Fayetteville Country Music Show featuring county and gospel performers is held the last Monday of the month in the St. John’s Catholic Church Recreation Hall. Checkout the ‘Live and Local’ section of

The Fayetteville Lady Glass Artists are introduced at a recent gallery showing at the Red and White.

Photographer Laura Wilson signs a copy of her book at a recent gallery showing in Fay-etteville. Photo by Monica Kressman

See Fayetteville, next page


Comfortable cabins, classic Texas country houses and a 4-bed, 4-bath Inn on an historic square — all near Fayetteville and Round Top.Contact Joan at 713-818-9766 or [email protected] www.BlackbirdFarmTexas.com

Blackbird Farm Lodging

the Fayette County Record for dates and times of these events.

Each May, the Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival pre-sents concerts of chamber music during which the audience sits near the musicians and experiences the music close-up. World-class musicians from New York, Hungary, Poland, Houston and Austin perform in the Moravian Room at the Country Place Hotel in downtown historic Fayetteville where the natural acoustics bring a perfect warm, intimate sound to the musicians’ violin, clarinet and piano. The rep-ertoire includes classics by Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven, and Czech favorites by Dvorak and Janacek, among others. Open rehearsals, pre- and post-concert receptions, and pre-concert presentations by a noted Musicologist combine to make the Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival a unique and spirited program. Friday and Saturday concerts will be held May 4 through the 18th.

Many events make the Country Place Hotel a center for the arts. The Country Place Gallery is located across the garden from the Hotel and is also the studio for local artists Clovis Heimsath and Mike Clann. Watercolor master Mary Quiros, photographer Kathleen Kramr and other local art-

ists also show their work there. The gallery is open on week-ends and whenever Clovis or Mike are painting.

Other studios around the square include stained-glass artist Dick Bour who has been producing large scale stained glass projects with the assistance of Fayetteville High School students. Religiously themed work is a Bour Studio specialty.

And if you have art you certainly need photography and

a frame shop. Joe and Addie Dybala operate Dybala Pho-tography on the square. They have returned to the family farm to enjoy working and living in Fayetteville. Joe began his career in Rosenberg in 1974 and established his own photography studio in 1981. He has received many state, re-gional and national awards including the Masters of Photog-raphy Degree presented by the Professional Photographers

Fayetteville Full Of History And CultureContinued from previous page

Fayetteville’s parade float, including the Lickskillet Queen.

Continued on next page


Country Place Hotel, Downtown Fayetteville, TexasTickets & Program Information at

www.fayettevillemusic.org

Carpe Diem String Quartet Amy Schwartz Moretti, Charles Wetherbee Violin

Meredith Crawford Viola Julie Albers Cello Phillip Bush, Elizabeth Pridgen,

Péter Nagy & Nanako Urase Piano &

Artistic Director Håkan Rosengren, clarinet

The Festival is a Texas 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

SEASON 8 MAY 9-17, 2014

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of America for superior photographic excellence. The stu-dio specializes in portraiture, photo restoration and custom framing.

Fine Art photographer, Jerry D. Brown, also calls Fay-etteville home. He has exhibited in one man and group shows on the east coast, Paris, France, International Fotofest, and venues around Texas. He has works in a number of per-sonal collections and in the permanent collection at the Live Oak Art Center in Columbus, Texas and the Harry Ranson Collection at the University of Texas. Jerry’s work will be exhibited in Fayetteville during FOTOFEST.

Artist Pat Johnson has been working in clay for over 35

years in the old Schuhmacher Bank Building on Live Oak Street. This past year Johnson participated in several group exhibitions in coordination with the National Council of Education for Ceramic Arts Conference held in Houston. She has been featured in many one person and group shows in Texas. Among them are exhibits at the Art Car Museum in Houston, Longview Museum of Fine Art, and Harris Gal-lery in Houston. She was recently selected for the 35th An-nual Contemporary Craft Exhibition at the Meas Comtem-porary Arts Museum, Mesa, AZ. The only Texan in the exhibition. Johnson was commissioned by Fayette County to produce a bust of the Marquis de la Fayette for the County Courthouse. Her studio is open by appointment only.

One of Fayetteville real art treasures is a group of paint-ings located in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Recov-ered and restored in the early 1990s they were discovered to have been painted by Moravian painter, Ignaz Johann Berger, born July 8, 1832 and died June 29, 1901. Ignaz Berger was most well known for his religious paintings. He was commis-sioned to paint the images in St. John’s in the late 1800s by the Fayetteville parishioners. The church is open during the week so visitors may view the six paintings.

For more information on the many arts events in Fayette-ville and how to contact the artists check out the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce website, www.fayettevilletxcham-ber.org.

Local children perform German dances at the 2013 Lickskillet Festival in Fayetteville.The County Place Hotel in downtown Fayetteville is part lodge, part art gallery. Not to mention a good place to watch the annual Lickskillet parade.

Continued from previous page


St. John the Baptist

Catholic Church

Masses

Saturday 6:00 P.M. Sunday 10:00 A.M.

Office: 979-378-2277 Website:

www.stjohnfayetteville.com Email:

[email protected]

207 E. Bell Street Fayetteville, Texas

St. Mary Catholic Church

Sunday Mass

8:00 A.M.

Office: 979-378-2277

Website: www.stmaryellinger.com

Email: [email protected]

815 St. Mary’s Church Rd. Ellinger, Texas

Each year, the first weekend in May, fine art-ists from all over Texas and beyond descend upon the picturesque small town square of

Fayetteville, Texas to show and sell the very best of their creations. Started many years ago as a small local artist event, ArtWalk has grown and morphed into a juried art show of the highest caliber and boast award monies for the attending artist of over $7,000 to sweeten the visit.

This year at ArtWalk 2014 over sixty artists will shop their wares in the beautiful Texas sunlight amid the sounds of bluegrass music and festival fun for two days during the most beautiful time of year in central Texas. Come to stroll through the outdoor booths and meet the artists who created the original pieces. Enjoy a glass of wine at the Wine Tasting Booth, or just sit and enjoy the casual concert coming from the gazebo.

There are lots of free activities for the children too. ARTS, Arts for Rural Texas, the sponsoring nonprofit

ArtWalk ContinuesTo Grow

Crowds pack the Fayetteville square every year for ArtWalk. Continued on next page


Large Selection of Antiques, Quilts,Linens, Signs, Marbles & Much More!Thousands of Items. Something for Everyone.

After 66+ Years of Being in Business,Bernita Bunjes has Decided to Sell out!

is centered in Fayetteville but serves the entirety of Fayette and surround-ing counties. The mission of ARTS is to bring the arts to the rural com-munity with an emphasis on educa-tional opportunities for the kids. This year Puppet Pizzazz will be wowing adults and children alike in a free outdoor performance on Saturday in ARTS backyard just off the square. Kids can create their own art at the children’s booth or just get that face painted for nothing but a smile.

ArtWalk is an important source of funding for the ARTS programs like Art After School which offers free art classes in eight different ru-ral school districts and the Fine Art Assemblies that bring performers like Houston Grand Opera and Bal-let Austin to the local schools. The attending artists are invited to donate one piece of original art that will later be auctioned to support these important programs.

ArtWalk is more than just a great fine art show. It is a festival celebrat-ing the best of American small town life. Fayetteville cannot be out done for small town charm and friendli-ness. Come for the art and stay for the fun, May 3-4, 2014. During ArtWalk every May in Fayetteville, the town square is filled with works of art – and works of art in progress.


Fayetteville107 W. Fayette St.

P.O. Box 9Fayetteville, Tx 78940

(979) 378-4261Fax: (979) 378-2934

Schulenburg200 N. Kessler Ave.

P.O. Box 52Schulenburg, Tx 78956

(979) 743-4576Fax: (979) 743-5082

La Grange366 W. Travis St.

P.O. Box 537La Grange, Tx 78945

(979) 968-3200Fax: (979) 968-4962

www.FayettevilleBank.com

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The morning walks of Mary Quiros and Joan Her-ring took them through the small neighborhoods of Fayetteville. They would comment on the homes and gardens as they walked, and often lamented that older houses were unoccupied and deteriorating. “They were such wonderful old buildings,” commented Mary, “that just needed a little love and care.”

One such house was the large, two-story build-ing on the corner of Market and Live Oak streets,which had been on the real estate market for some time. Built in 1898 and owned by just one family for the past 60 years, the house had not been lived in for awhile and needed help.

So Mary and Joan formed Walking Women Ventures, bought the old house and will open a five-bedroom, 5-1/2 bath inn on the site. Joan, who runs Blackbird Farm Lodging and has been managing cabins, two farm houses and the iconic Red & White Inn on Fayetteville’s historic square, will manage this property as well.

“There is a real demand for lodging that offers the combination of antique ar-chitecture, modern ameni-

Restoring Fayetteville’s Heritage With Market Street Inn Project

Mary Quiros and Joan Herring overseeing the remodeling of the new Market Street Inn near Fayetteville’s Historic Square.

ties and luscious appoint-ments,” says Joan. “And our new Market Street Inn will have all of this and more. Twelve foot ceilings, beauti-ful art and furniture, a large screened-in porch and a

very large country kitchen.”“Every year more peo-

ple fall in love with Fayette-ville,” says Mary, “and now there is one more location that will welcome them in real comfort.”

Joe’s Place120 N. Live Oak St., Fayetteville (979) 378-9035

Orsak’s Cafe121 W. Fayette St., Fayetteville (979) 378-2719

Serendipity101 W. Fayette St., Fayetteville (281) 658-2552

Pive’s Ice House1564 FM 1291, Loan Oak (979) 732-2290

Peter’s BBQ301 W. Hwy 71, Ellinger(979) 378-9115

Hruska’s Store & Bakery109 W. Hwy 71, Ellinger (979) 378-2333

Fayetteville/Ellinger Dining Guide

Historic Orsak’s Cafe in down-town Fayetteville is one of several great restaurant options in the area.



Our MissionThe mission of Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS) is to heighten the visual and performing arts experience in our rural communities with an emphasis on providing educational opportunities for children.

w w w . a r t s f o r r u r a l t e x a s . o r g

Visit our website forupcoming events!979-378-2113

114 N. Live Oak St. • Fayetteville, TX 78940

306 North RuskFayetteville, TX 78940

(979) 378-2215 (979) 277-8519

American owned and operated

Come in and get: Your Lottery, Beverages,

Fuel, Live Bait, etc….Open 7 days a week6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Westside Grocery

For fishing, boating or just relaxing, one of Texas’ finest small lakes is found in Fayette County. Lake Fayette is located 10 miles east of La Grange off SH 159. For the

past 30 years, bass lovers have flocked to it. You’ll need a state fishing license available at Walmart in La Grange.

There is a 14-24 inch slot limit on black bass. Anglers may keep five bass 14 inches or less and one bass 24 inches or over.

Lake Fayette was constructed by the LCRA and the City of Austin as a 2,400-acre cooling pond for the Fayette Power Project. Warm water discharged into the lake means that it can be fished year round.

Park Prairie and Oak Thicket ParksTwo parks provide access to Lake Fayette for boating,

fishing, camping or family reunions. Park Prairie and

Oak Thicket parks are located on the north end of the lake. Daily access fees are $4 for adults; $2 for seniors (65+); children 13 and under are free.

Oak Thicket ParkAt 85 acres, Oak Thicket is the largest and most devel-

oped park on the lake.

Lake Fayette is Always Full of Water & Big BassBecause Lake Fayette is filled with water pumped from the Colorado River it is always at a near constant level, while most other lakes statewide are at a fraction of capacity.

See Lake Fayette, next page


Late Night Antique Shopping in Fayetteville!HOURS: 9 A.M. - 9 P.M.

Sometimes Earlier, Often Later...

SPRING 2014March 27th - April 2nd

Packing Up Sale: April 2nd & 3rdAntique Auction March 31st, 6 p.m.

FALL 2014Sept. 25th - Oct. 1st

Packing Up Sale: Oct 1st & 2nd Antique Auction Sept. 29th, 6 p.m.

Tues - Fri & Sun3:30 pm - Midnight

Sat.3:30 pm - 1 am

Specializing in:Martini

Bloody MaryTop Shelf Margarita

WednesdayPool Tournament

Thursday Ladies Night

5 - 7 pm Happy Hour Daily in Oldenburg, T X

Twenty RV sites with water, 30-50 amp hookups and a dump station are available.

There are also cedar cabins of various sizes, screened shelters and tent sites.

Amenities also include a pavilion for large gatherings, a children’s playground and a bird watching and nature loop.

A multi-use trail runs from Oak Thicket Park around the perimeter of the lake to Park Prairie Park.

Park Prairie ParkPark Prairie is the smaller of the two parks at 14 acres.

It features a boat ramp, dock and pier, tent camping and restrooms. Potable water is available.

Reservations for facilities at both parks can be made by calling the Texas Parks and Wildlife reservation line: (512) 389-8900 (choose option 2) or on short notice (979) 249-3344. Have fun!

Some Lake Fayette Guides:Shawn Cluff (832) 482-8627Mark Fransen (713) 542-0466Bob Green (281) 480-9200Weldon Kirk (979) 229-3103Phillip Mattern (903) 724-8291

Lake Fayette Is Considered One of Texas’ Best for BassContinued from front

This overhead view shows just a part of the lake’s 2,400 acres.

Last Monday of the Month All Year

Fayetteville Country Music Showwww.tfcms.webs.com

Spring & Fall, Week Before MarburgerAntiques on the SquareHistoric Fayetteville

Town Squarewww.fayettevilletxchamber.org

January-February, September-November

Fayetteville Chamber Music ConcertsLocation and Dates

See Websitewww.fayettevillemusic.org

Second Saturday, April-NovemberTexas Pickin’ Park

Historic Fayetteville Town Squarewww.texaspickinpark.com

AprilBP MS 150 Bike Ride

Passes through Fayettevillehttp://main.nationalmssociety.org

First Weekend of MayArtWalk

Historic Fayetteville Town Square

www.artsforruraltexas.org

First Saturday of May Fayetteville Volunteer Fire

Department Fundraiser & DanceSt. John’s Catholic Church

Pavilion

Friday-Saturday Second & Third Weekend of May

Fayetteville Chamber Music FestivalCountry Place Hotel

Downtown Fayettevillewww.fayettevillemusic.org

First Sunday of JuneGood Old Summertime

Bicycle ClassicFayetteville and Area

www.fayettevilletxchamber.org

Second Saturday of JulyCity Wide Garage Sale &

Shop Local DayFayetteville and Area


Saturday-Sunday Third Weekend of October

Lickskillet DaysLIVE MUSIC - FOOD - DRINKSKIDS ACTIVITIES - RAFFLES

BBQ COOK-OFF - 5K FUN RUN - DANCEPUMPKIN PATCH

CZECH SINGERS & DANCERSTown Square & SPJST Hall


Second Saturday of DecemberCountry Christmas and Home Tour

Historic Fayetteville Town Square


Educational & Performance Programs All Year!

Round Top Festival InstituteNearby in Round Tophttp://festivalhill.org

www.fayettevilletxchamber.org [email protected]

Visit Historic Square, Great Food, ShopsEnjoy Art, Festivals, Music, Recreation, Winding Roads

Camping and Fishing at Fayette LakeStay in Charming B&Bs, Historic Hotel and Inns

Learn About Us National Register of Historic Towns

FAYETTEVILLE CHAMBER of COMMERCEFAYETTEVILLE CHAMBER of COMMERCE

Fayetteville, the way Texas used to be!

Fayetteville, the way Texas used to be!


The Texas Pickin’ Park is a Free Jam Session on the Town Square of the City of Fayette-ville. Jams are the second weekend of each month April thru November. There are always Free Workshops at 11 a.m. on Saturdays (except November when there is plenty of stew and goodies to eat). Jamming goes on all afternoon and into the evening hours. Some folks come out on Friday night for a smaller jam in the old Fire House. We ask that you only bring acoustic instruments ... oh, and a good attitude. For additional information email us at [email protected] or contact Tom Duplissey at (512) 415-3177.

Fayetteville Courthouse Lawn Turns into Pickin’ Park

Phil Baker playing the fiddle last May at Pickin’ Park on Fayetteville’s Town Square.Photo by Jerry Herring

Every October Fayetteville hosts its

massive Lickskillet Days, which include a parade,

food booths, dances, a fun run and BBQ cookoff.

The name goes back to the days when Fayette-ville was actually known by some as Lick Skillet,

supposedly for the fact that latecomers to the numerous

community festivals who complained that all the food

was gone were told to lick the skillet.

Here the Houston Texans cheerleaders

pose last year near the giant skillet that’s displayed during

Fayetteville’s Lickskillet Days.

The Legend of Lickskillet


FayettevilleH I S T O R I C

E A T, S L E E P, S H O P & E N JOY I N FA Y E T TE V I L L E

Cottages on the SquareBed, Beverages & SnacksTwo Quaint Country Cottages(318) [email protected]

Country Place GalleryFeaturing Clovis Heimsath,Michael Clann & Other Artists207 W. Fayette St.michaelclann.com &clovisheimsath.com

Country Place HotelHistoric Fayetteville SquareA National Historic District(979) 966-7771www.countryplacehotel.com

Dybala Photography& FramingCustom FramingPhoto Restorations & Portraiture(979) 702-0729www.dybalaphotography.com

Fayetteville ChamberMusic FestivalMay 9-17, 2014Country Place Hotel, On the Square(979) 249-5035www.fayettevillemusic.org

Fayetteville AreaHeritage MuseumHome of the Teddy SchultzModel Trains and Railroad CollectionOpen by appointment. Tours Welcome.117 N. Washington St.(979) 378-2279 & (979) 378-274

Fayette Realty, Inc.Residential, Farm & RanchSmall Town Friendliness... Big Results(979) 378-4100www.fayette-realty.com

Fayetteville StoreGas - Diesel - Ice - Beer & WineLottery Tickets - Groceries & Deli ItemsMonday-Saturday 6 am -9 pmSunday 7 am-8 pm401 E. Main St.(979) 378-2237

Jane’s Joy Garden Shop – FloristPleaseantries103 N. Washington St.(979) 966-9838

Jerry’s General StoreGroceries, Produce & SuppliesMonday-Friday 7 am-5:30 pm,Saturday 7:30 am-4:30 pm, Sunday 8-11 am128 N. Live Oak St.(979) 378-2111


FAYETTEVILLE —THE WAY TEXAS USED TO BE!

E A T, S L E E P, S H O P & E N JOY I N FA Y E T TE V I L L E

Joe’s PlaceWednesday-Sunday11 am - Late Evening120 N. Live Oak(979) 378-9035

Live Oak Guest CottageCharming Guest Cottage on the SquareMinutes from Lake FayetteVisit Historical Fayetteville Today!www.liveoakguestcottage.com

Market Street InnFive Bedroom InnOne Block off HistoricFayetteville Square(713) 818-9766www.MarketStreetInnTexas.com

Oak Thicket & Park PrairieRV, Cabins & Tent CampingLCRA Park Reservations (855) 392-7638(979) 249-3504 & (979) 249-3344www.lcra.org/reserve

Orsak’s CafeSunday - Thursday 8 am - 9:30 pmFriday - Saturday 8 am - 10 pmBreakfast - Lunch - Dinner(979) 378-2719

Pivo’s Ice HouseLive Music - Cold Beer - Delicious FoodThursdat 5-11 pm, Friday 5-12 pm,Saturday 12 pm - 1 am, Sunday 12-10 pmLocated Between Fayetteville & Frelsburg(979) 732-2290

Red & White Inn4 Individual Rooms With Private BathsOn the Historic SquareJoan Herring(713) 818-9766www.blackbirdfarmtexas.com

Rolling 7 Guest Cottage1377 E. State Hwy. 159(979) [email protected]

SerendipityBaked Goods - Breakfast Tacos - SandwichesTuesday-Thursday 7-10 amFriday-Saturday 7 am-4 pm101 W. Fayette St.281-658-2552

TSR Country PropertiesTown Square Realty - We Know Country!Farm & Ranch, Acreage,Residential & Investment115 W. Fayette St.(979) 378-2222


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LEDBETTER

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OLDENBURG

RABBS PRAIRIE WILLOW

SPRINGS

ELLINGER

389954

71

154

448

153WINCHESTER

WEST POINTRUTERSVILLE

WARRENTON

REK HILL

WALHALLA

CARMINE

ROUND TOP

FAYETTEVILLE

PARK

WARDA

KIRTLEY

PLUM

ROZNOV

155609

2237

3233

1383

3171

1115

956

615

1965

1579

1295

2762

957

95

95

95

2238

HOSTYN MULLINSPRAIRIE

MULDOON

AMMANNSVILLE

HOLMAN

LA GRANGE

FLATONIA

SCHULENBURG

O’QUINN

HIGH HILL

FREYBURG

SWISS ALP

PRAHA

ST JOHN

ENGLE

DUBINA

CISTERN

90

90

10

Fayette County – The Big Picture


AmmannsvilleFM 1383, 9 m. SE of La GrangeSettled during the 1870s by German and Czech immi-grant farmers. The first settler in the community was Andrew Ammann, who arrived on March 12, 1870. He was a noted architect as well as a farmer.

CarmineU.S. 290, at Washington Co. lineStill an incorporated city, Carmine and Round Top share a school system. The elementary is in Round Top, the high school in Carmine. The Carmine bank was robbed by Ray Hamilton and others from the Barrow Gang in the 1930s. Now it’s known for its antique dealers.

CisternState Hwy. 95, 12 mi. NW of FlatoniaSettled during the 1850s on a hill overlooking fertile prairie land. Water wells in the area contained such high concentration of minerals that residents were forced to build cisterns to trap rainwater for domestic use.

DubinaFM 1383, 2 mi. N of U.S. 90First Czech settlement in Texas, beginning in Novem-ber 1856. Named Dubina (Czech for “oak grove”). As favorable reports about Texas reached the old country, the number of Czech settlers entering Dubina increased greatly, and Dubina became the stopover place for Czechs entering Texas. In 1873, the railroad bypassed Dubina.

EllingerHwy. 71 at FM 2503Famed for kolaches and barbecue, Ellinger is 11 miles southeast of La Grange. It was established as a point on the La Grange Tap spur of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway.

EngleU.S. 90 between Schulenburg and FlatoniaSettled by Bohemian and Czech immigrants in the 1850s. Named for J. E. Engle, an engineer on Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway line. Post office es-tablished in 1888 and the first store in 1890.

FayettevilleState Hwy. 159 at FM 955The Congress of the Republic of Texas established Fay-ette County in 1837, and the community of Fayetteville was officially founded shortly thereafter. Fayetteville had a post office and postmaster during the Republic of Texas, and has had continuous postal service since 1850.

FlatoniaInterstate 10 at Texas 95Established on April 8, 1874, on land acquired by the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway, it was named for pioneer merchant F. W. Flato. At that time residents of the original Flatonia settlement, one mile southeast, and Oso, three miles northeast, loaded their homes and businesses on wagons and moved to the new location on the tracks. The post office that had been established at old Flatonia in 1870 was moved to the new town without changing its name. Flatonia was incorporated on November 10, 1875.

FreyburgFM 956 at FM 2238Founded about 1868 by Germans and named for a town in Germany. In 2004 the recently restored Freyburg Methodist Church celebrated its 125th anniversary.

High HillFM 2672, 14 mi. SW of La GrangeSettled in the 1830s. According to some sources, residents of High Hill refused to allow the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway to build through their community in 1874, fearing the railroad would destroy the tranquility and culture of the town. The line went to nearby Schulenburg and many of High Hill’s residents moved there. St. Mary’s Church is on the National Register of Historic place. La GrangeState Hwy. 71 at U.S. 77The county seat of Fayette County, this is where La Ba-hia Road crossed the Colorado River. Aylett C. Buckner settled near here about 1819 and in 1826 John Henry Moore built a twin blockhouse within what are now the city limits. A town was platted in 1837. The Republic of Texas named Fayette County in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette. La Grange was the name of Lafayette’s home, which came from his wife’s family.

LedbetterU.S. 290, 8 mi. E of GiddingsIn extreme north Fayette County, it was the first com-munity in the county to be served by a railroad, which reached it in 1870.

NechanitzFM 3011 at FM 2145Settled in 1853 by Wenzel Matejowsky, the first settler from Bohemia to enter Fayette County, it was named after his native city in Bohemia.

MuldoonFM 154, 9 mi. N of FlatoniaOn a grant of land originally made in 1831 to Father Michael Muldoon, the Irish Catholic priest who officially “converted” non-Hispanic Texas settlers to meet the le-gal requirements of Mexico. The town was not platted until 1886, when the Waco branch of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway extended its line between West Point and Flatonia.

PlumHwy. 71, 8 mi. W of La GrangePlum Grove is the second oldest established commu-nity in Fayette County, dating to 1828. It still has its own post office, which was first established in 1880.

PrahaFM 1295, 3 mi. E of FlatoniaIn 1858 the Bohemian settlers changed the town’s name from Mulberry to Praha in honor of Prague, the capital of their homeland. Since 1855 the community has celebrated the Feast of the Assumption on August 15. The event now attracts more than 5,000 visitors, many of them Czechoslovakian.

Round TopState Hwy. 237One of the smallest incorporated communities in Texas, on the old La Bahía Road between La Grange and Bren-ham. Area first settled in 1826. Oldest continually cel-

ebrated July Fourth celebration west of the Mississippi, since 1851.

RutersvilleState Hwy. 159, 5 mi. NE of La GrangeThis site on the La Bahía Road was surveyed in 1838 and incorporated by the Republic of Texas on Jan. 26, 1839. Rutersville College, chartered in 1840 by the Republic of Texas, was the first Protestant college in Texas. In 1856, by an act of Congress, Rutersville College was consoli-dated with the Texas Military Institute of Galveston.

SchulenburgInterstate 10 at U.S. 77Founded in 1873, when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway built through the site, it was named for Louis Schulenburg, who donated land for the railroad. The community was granted a post office in 1874 and incorporated in 1875.

Swiss AlpU.S. 77, 11 mi. S of La GrangeEstablished about 1865 by German settlers, who were followed by Wendish families from Serbin in Lee County. Post office opened in 1877. Area has dairy farms and cattle operations.

WaldeckFM 1291 at FM 2145Purchased in 1843 by Count Ludwig Joseph von Boos-Waldeck, who was an agent for the Adelsverein, an as-sociation of German noblemen who planned for emigra-tion to the Republic of Texas.

WardaU.S. 77, 10 mi. N of La GrangeNamed for Wartha, Saxony. Wendish immigrant A.E. Falke es-tablished a general store here in 1874 and other Wends soon arrived. Central focus is still Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

WarrentonState Hwy. 237, 12 miles NE of La GrangeFounded by William Neese, who landed in Galveston in 1847 and named the new settlement that grew around his store for Warren Ligon, another early colonist. A post office was established in 1873.

West PointHwy. 71, 12 mi. W of La GrangeIntersection of Union Pacific’s north-south tracks (Waco to Victoria) and east-west tracks (Houston to Smithville, formerly MKT Railroad).

WinchesterFM 153 at FM 448First settled in 1827. The town was platted in 1857 and named for Winchester, Tenn. It was a shipping point on the Waco branch of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway, which later became part of the Southern Pacific.

WinedaleFM 2714, 4 mi. NE of Round TopWinedale Historical Center, in northeast Fayette County near Round Top, includes several outstanding examples of early Texas architecture. Ima Hogg purchased more than 130 acres, restoring the buildings and eventually donating them to the University of Texas, which now uses it for drama, history and other programs.

The Communities That Make Up Fayette County

The ring toss game at the annual St. John the Baptist Catholic Church picnic in Am-mannsville. The picnic is held every year in Father’s Day. File photo by Jeff Wick


Flatonia – Trains and Traditions

Nowhere in Texas is southern hospitality more alive than in Flatonia – a magical haven where the past and present mingle playfully among the

colorful antique and unique shops that line its historic down-town streets. It’s where festivals and antique shows abound and local craftsmanship is always on display. It’s also a place where comfort food is on the menu every day, from hearty Chicken Fried Steaks, BBQ Sausage & Ribs, Down Home Hamburgers, Homemade Kolaches, to Panini’s and Cappuccinos. No matter where you are, it’s likely that Flato-nia is just a hop, skip and a day-trip away. Visit our website at www.flatoniachamber.com for a complete list of events and our great places to shop, eat and stay. See for your self

– Why All Roads Lead To Flatonia!

CZHILISPIEL The most interesting and well attended of Flatonia’s

events. It will be our 42nd Czhilispiel – October 24, 25 & 26th, 2014. (Always the 4th Full Weekend in October – Downtown Flatonia) Every October for four decades, Czhili & BBQ Chefs and assorted revelers from throughout Texas and beyond have converged upon the town of Flatonia for Czhilispiel, a Czech German flavored festival featuring Czhili and BBQ Cook offs, a Biergarten and Live Music. What to See and Hear at Czhilispiel – over 200 Czhili Cook-ing/Showmanship Teams, 75 BBQ/Bean Cooking Teams,

a Great Variety of Continuous Musical Entertainment, the Largest Tented Biergarten with filled with plenty of Bev-erages, a Smooth Dance Floor under the Tent, a Jackpot Margarita Contest, Jalapeno Eating Contest, 5K Run/Walk, a Huge Arts & Crafts Show, a Wonderful Variety of Tasty Foods, Lions Club Pie Auction, Car & Truck Show, a Grand Parade, Egg Toss, Adult and Children’s Contests, Carnival and a Place to Meet Old Friends and make Plenty of New Ones.

And as the Czhilispiel Court always says: “If you want Good Czhili, Come to Czhilispiel!” Visit www.czhilispiel.com for more information or call (361) 865-3920.



2014 Annual Events

Area AttractionsE.A. ARNIM ARCHIVES MUSEUM

CENTRAL TEXAS RAIL HISTORY CENTER

FLATONIA GOLF COURSE

FLATONIA LIVESTOCK COMMISSION

ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, PRAHA (Painted Church)

FLATONIA RAIL PARK PAVILION

GREAT SHOPPING & RESTAURANTS

czech us out!CZHILISPIEL 42

OCTOBER 24-26, 2014CZHILI & BAR B Q COOK OFF

LIVE MUSIC, BIERGARTEN & CARNIVAL

FLATONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - WWW.FLATONIACHAMBER.COM

Spring Market Daywith the Texas Independence RelayKnights Ride for Wounded Warriors& Flatonia Spring Rail Fan Pavilion PartyFlatonia Crawfest – A feast of Crawfish& Live EntertainmentFlatonia Rotary Club Golf TournamentFlatonia American Legion Memorial Day ServiceFlatonia Sacred Heart Catholic Church PicnicFlatonia Freedom Fest, Patriotic Parade& Wing Fling Cook OffSt. Mary’s Prazska Pout Picnic, PrahaSts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church Picnic, CisternHealth Fair at Civic Center by Oak Manor Nursing CenterCZHILISPIEL 42 - Czhili & BBQ Cook-OffsFlatonia Fall Rail Fan Pavilion PartyE. A. Arnim Museum Stew Dinner Fundraiser,Auction & PlayAll Veterans Day Memorial Service at PrahaLighting of Christmas Village with SantaFlatonia C of C Wonderful Winter Wine WalkFlatonia C of C Merry Market Day,Cookie/Candy Carnival & Santa

March 29:

April 5:

April 12:

May 3:May 25:June 1:

June 28:

Aug. 15:Aug. 24:Sept. 5:

Oct. 24-26:Nov. 1:Nov. 8:

Nov. 9:Dec. 1:Dec. 5:Dec. 6:

Homemade Bread • Pigs-in-the-Blanket • Kolaches

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CRAWFESTA Flatonia Chamber of Commerce

event for the last 10 years or so occurs in April. This year it will be held on Saturday, April 12 at the Flatonia American Legion Hall. Our ticket price of $30 includes a feast of Gulf Coast crawfish & shrimp, Joel’s BBQ Sausage, corn on the cob, potatoes, beer, wine, and live music for your dancing. Great items in our Silent and Live Auctions, 3 guns available in our gun draws and you will have loads of fun. For more info: www.flatoniachamber.com , email: [email protected] or (361) 865-3920.

E. A. Arnim Archives & Museum

Located at 101 E. N. Main St. – Flato-nia, TX. One of the largest rural museums in Central Texas and is devoted to preserv-ing the history of life and the cultural her-itage of the area. The collection is housed in two buildings. Items range from military items (uniforms, flags, weapons & ammu-nition) to tramp art, a collection of photos depicting Flatonia from the 1880 to 1940s, clothing and other relics of the late 19th and early 20th Century small-town life. The cu-rators favorite item is an upholstered chair made from cattle horns, which won a prize at the 1891 Dallas Fair. The ”barn” contains

larger items such as farm implements, ve-hicles, wagons and washers. A Veteran’s Museum on the 2nd floor honors Veterans of Flatonia and Fayette County with many photographs and other artifacts. The Mu-seum is open on Thursdays and Fridays - 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Call (361) 865-3455 or email: [email protected] to arrange a private tour. Every first Saturday in No-vember the Museum holds their annual Fundraiser with a stew dinner, silent auction and an “Old Flatonia Days” Play, for every ones entertainment and history lesson.

Central Texas Rail History Center

1902 Tower #3 & Restored Caboose at the Flatonia Rail Park & Photo Pavilion - Calling all Train Buffs – Plenty of North-South/ East-West Train Action in Flatonia, TX! Flatonia is a train lover’s paradise. The Rail History Center is located at 114 E. S. Main St. and it houses many interest-ing train facts and models. As the trains frequently thunder by the Downtown Rail Park, cattycorner to the Center, is where a restored caboose and a 1902 switching tow-er sit, tours are available by appointment. A few blocks west, a shaded photo pavilion at-tracts rail buffs who enjoy watching trains.

More Of Your Flatonia To-Do List


By H.H. HOWZEThe Fayette County Record

What’s in a name?Take “Czhilispiel” for instance.The famous chili cookoff and commu-

nity celebration with the funny name causes newcomers to want to know: Exactly what kind of word is that?

“We needed a catchy name,” retired 155th District Judge Dan Beck said.

Beck is the man most often given credit for initiating the annual event. “The ‘Chil-ympiad,’ one of the original chili cookoffs, was already a big deal.”

Chili plus “spiel” (German for “play”) was Beck’s suggestion. Long-time Flatonian Edwin Zapalac claims credit for the “z” in “czhili.”

“It acknowledges that there are Czechs as well as Germans in town,” he said in a phone call.

That was actually year two. The first cookoff – without the distinctive name – was part of the town’s centennial celebration in 1973.

Beck wants to set the record straight as to whose idea the first chili cookoff really

was: “Mike Herzik was a young lawyer – even younger than me – and he came up with the idea of a chili cookoff to help cel-ebrate the centennial.”

Herzik was from Praha and still prac-tices law in Katy, according to Beck, his old employer and friend.

“He’s done very well as a lawyer – no doubt as a result of the excellent training he got in my office,” Beck laughed.

The centennial was a one-time event.

Why did the chili cookoff re-appear the next year with the unusual name?

“We needed a doctor.” Beck said.“Flatonia was a one-doctor town and old

Doc Moorehead had died. It was a one-law-yer town too – but there were three of us,” he added with a chuckle.

The idea was to raise money to help send a young person to medical school who would agree to come back and serve the town for at least five years.

It worked like a charm.“We got a committee together and de-

cided to continue the cookoff and dedicate the proceeds to the medical education of a young woman.

She graduated and practiced medicine in Flatonia for a lot longer than five years,” Beck said.

Czhilipiel’s cookoff started off small with 10-12 entrants, but grew rapidly. In those days chili cookoffs were in their hey-day.

“At one time it claimed to be the second-biggest cookoff in Texas with 150 to 175 cookers,” Beck recalled. He estimated the current number at 50 to 60.

Now music is a big draw. There is al-ways lots of bands, lots of dancing and lots of beer.

The big show takes a big tent, and Czhilispiel boasts the “World’s Largest Tent-ed Beer Garden.”

For the actual event, “We shut down U.S. 90,” he said. “Arts and crafts and food booths line the streets.”

Czhilispiel clearly still brings a lot of welcome cash into the local economy.

Czhilispiel Festival Keeps it Spicy

in Flatonia Every October Czhilispiel fills up downtown Flatonia with lots of chili cookers and festival goers. The 2014 Czhilispiel happens Oct. 24-26. Flatonia Chamber of Commerce photo

Last year’s Czhilispiel festival royalty. Photo by Beverly Ponder


361.865.3518Fax 361.865-3896

P.O. Box 188 • 815 Prototype Rd. • Flatonia, Texas

Water Well Drilling Pump Sales & Service

RICHTER WELL DRILLING, INC.Serving Fayette & Surrounding

Counties for over 50 Years!

Two buildings house a unique collection featuring Flatonia

area history and culture.

Hours: Thursday & Friday 1-4 p.m.Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m.Or by appointment, Tel. 361-865-3455

101 E. North Main, Flatonia, Texas

E. A. Arnim Archives & Museum

oF Flatonia

ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant1143 E. Hwy. 90, Flatonia (361) 865-3635

Backroads Diner306 E. North Main, Flatonia (361) 865-3610

Brenda’s Backyard1143 E. Hwy. 90, Flatonia (361) 865-3391

Cistern Country Store and BarFM 2237, Cistern; (361) 865-3655

City Market Cafe124 E. South Main, Flatonia(361) 865-3381

Dairy Queen605 N La Grange St, Flatonia(361) 865-2524

Flatonia Country Store & McDonald’s709 La Grange, Flatonia(361) 865-3308

Happy Eatery714 N. La Grange, Flatonia(361) 865-3300

Joel’s BBQ1200 Slaughter House Rd, Flatonia(361) 865-2454

Kloesel’s Steakhouse and Bar101 Moore, Moulton (361) 596-7323

Red Vault Bistro124 E South Main, Flatonia(361) 865-3663

Robert’s Steakhouse1241 N State Hwy. 95, Flatonia(361) 865-3099

San Jose Mexican Restaurant507 E. IH-10, Flatonia; (361) 865-9010

Subway230 E. I-10 Frontage Road, Flatonia (361) 865-3400

Southern Fayette County Dining Guide

Flatonia

SchulenburgChez Grill Seafood and Steak

50 N. Kessler Ave. (979) 743-5011

City Market109 Kessler Ave, (979) 743-3440

Dairy Queen77 N Kessler Ave, Schulenburg (979) 743-3687

El Taqueria El Ray(979)-743-3127

Frank’s Restaurant11 N Kessler Ave, Schulenburg (979) 743-3555

Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant104 Kessler Ave, Schulenburg(979) 743-2722

Iron Horse Filling Station405 Summit St, Schulenburg (979) 743-4392

Kountry Bakery110 N Kessler Ave, Schulenburg (979) 743-4342

Mc Donald’s718 N US - 77, Schulenburg(979) 743-2027

Mi Casita Restaurant514 Summit St., Schulenburg(979) 743-4780

Carol’s Cafe746 E. Hwy. 90, Schulenburg(979) 743-2867

Momma’s Pizza Kitchen607 Lyons Ave, Schulenburg (979) 743-3714

Oakridge Smokehouse712 N. U.S. 77, Schulenburg(979) 743-3372

Potter Country StoreNorth U.S. 77, Schulenburg(979) 743-2600

Momma’s at Sengelmann Hall531 N. Main Schulenburg(979) 743-2300

Subway14 N Kessler Ave, Schulenburg(979) 743-4492

The Shop Downtown621 Main St., Schulenburg (979) 743-4505

Whataburger40 N Kessler Ave, (979) 743-9166


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Flatonia, TexasCall for Estimates

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Antique Furniture RestorationSaving family heirlooms since 1979

We offer services from simple stripping for the customer to refinish, all the way to complete restoration including duplication of missing parts, hardware replacement, veneer repairs, chair caning and lamp rewiring.

When the present owner of this kitchen cabinet was just a little girl, her mother personalized it with red paint.

Now she has decided to have us restore it, complete with her mother’s person-alization intact. It is now ready to pass on to her grandchildren for another 100 years.

The small Fayette County community of Praha, just outside Flatonia, has one of the most historic and moving Veterans Day programs anywhere.

Praha, which has a population of just a few hundred, had nine of its residents killed during action in WWII.

Here is a history of the annual memorial event, which is always held the Sunday before Veterans Day:

The Praha Veterans Club held its first Veterans Day pro-gram Nov. 11, 1962, an event that would grow to be one of the most notable of such observances each year in Texas. The annual observance in the rural Fayette County commu-nity was started under the direction of the late Rev. Marcus Valenta, a World War II chaplain and survivor of Pearl Har-bor who had come to St. Mary’s Parish in 1954.

Ernest Chaloupka recalls that Father Valenta met with a small group of veterans at the cemetery to organize the club in 1962. It would be under his direction that memo-rial services were first held, that also being a year when the national holiday was on a Sunday. On other years, the obser-vance - now known as All Veterans Day in Praha - is held on the Sunday before Veterans Day.

Chaloupka, Adolf Masek, Edwin Mikulik and Charles Lev were among those who helped Father Valenta with that first observance. The club was formally organized in 1968 with Chaloupka as chairman; Masek, vice chairman; Lev, secretary; Mikulik, treasurer; and Julius Jasek, director.

The activities occur near where “Praha’s own little na-tional cemetery” was created within the confines of the

Praha: Town Devastated by War Honors its Fallen Every November

Ceremonial shots are fired as part of the Praha annual Veterans Program. Photo by Beverly Ponder Continued on next page


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larger cemetery to honor nine men who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country during World War II. While there are many other veterans from World War II and other wars buried at Praha, including 24 from World War I, there are no other known war dead.

The present national Veterans Day was created in 1954 from the former observance of Armistice Day for World War I.

The war dead from World War II include Rudolf L. Barta, a machine gunner killed in the invasion of Nor-mandy; Robert V. Bohuslav, who manned a bazooka and was killed in North Africa; Anton Kresta Jr., killed in action on Luzon in the Philippine Islands; Joseph Lev, killed by a sniper on Luzon; Edward J. Marek, killed by machine gun fire on Peleliu Island; George D. Pavlicek, died in France from wounds received in action; Adolph E. Rab, a cannoneer killed in North Italy when an enemy shell landed near his foxhole; Jerry R. Vaculik, killed in action in France.

Also, there is an empty grave honoring Eddie Sbr-usch who was captured in the Philippines and was lost at sea when the ship transporting him and other prisoners of war to Japan was torpedoed by an American submarine.

In honor of these nine men and all others who have served their country in all wars, the All Veterans Day pro-gram typically includes a mass at 9:30 a.m.; memorial service at 11; and flyovers by the U.S. Air Force and a flower drop over the cemetery by the Commemorative Air Force. Following that at the hall, there is the serving of a Praha-style fried chicken dinner.

There is no greater reward for those who served than to be remembered.

Hundreds gather for the annual Veterans program in Praha, in the shadowed of the historic painted church there.



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FM 154 Flatonia, Tx 78941(281) 596-9996www.barsrranch.com

Carefree InnI-10 & FM 609Flatonia, TX 78941(361) 865-2906www.carefreeinnflatonie.com

Floy Farm & Gardens6020 FM 154 Flatonia, TX 78941(361) 865-2323www.floyfarm.com

Gladys’ Ranch HouseCistern, Texas(800) 725-5254 www.gladysranchhouse.com

Goose’s Roost Ranch Cottages815 Scott’s School Rd, Flatonia, TX 78941(361) 772-8093www.goosesroost.com

Grumpy’s Motel420 EI-10, Flatonia, TX 78941(361) 865-2911www.grumpysmotorinn.com

Olle Hotel218 S. Market Street Flatonia, TX 78941(361) 772-0310 www.ollehotel.com

Town Cottages 705 East North MainFlatonia, TX 78941(361) 772-3234www.towncottagesflatonia.com

Two Bit Ranch B&B2444 Armstrong Derry RdWaelder, Tx 78959(361) 865-2528wobitranchbandb.com

LA GRANGE

BED & BREAKFASTS

Ammannsville Cottages9018 FM 1383La Grange,TX 78945 (979) 561-8691

Bed & Breakfast on Main512 S MainLa Grange,TX 78945 (979) 968-9535

Big Tin Flag Bed & Breakfast714 E. Radhost School Road La Grange,TX 78945 (979) 247-4770 www.bigtinflag.net

Blue Willow Farm B & B1412 S. US Hwy 77 La Grange, TX 78945 (979)968-5964 www.faycovet.com/BB.html

Brendan Manor Bed & Breakfast 345 E.Travis Street La Grange, TX 78945 (979) 968-2028www.brendanmanor.com

Guest House at Dos Lagos 3045 Valenta Road La Grange, TX 78945 (979) 247-4465

Heaven’s Gate Ranch9200 Hwy 77 NLa Grange(281) 491-2122

Lodge on Lake Siesta5145 FM 153La Grange(979) 732-1256www.lodgeonlakesiesta.com

Longhorn Frog RanchLa Grange(979) 242-5496

Meerscheidt House Bed & Breakfast485 N Monroe StLa Grange, TX 78945(979) 968-3779

Plum GardensCarl & Peggy-Anderson Mapes 318 Railroad Street Plum,TX 78952 (979) 242-3382 (512) 921-0679www.plumgardenstx.com

Skyrunner Guest house340 FM 155La Grange, TX 78945(979) 966-9698www.skyrunnerguesthouse.com

1865 Texana Country Inn2647 Kallus Road La Grange,TX 78945 (979) 247-4457http://texanacountryinn.com

WaldhutteLa Grange(979) 247-4802www.centraltexascabin.com

HOTELS/MOTELS

Best Western (La Grange Inn) 600 E. State Hwy 71 Bypass La Grange,TX 78945 (979) 968-6800 www.bestwestern.com

Cottonwood Inn1494 W. State Hwy 71 La Grange,TX 78945 (979) 968-3175 www.lagangecottonwoodinn.com

Executive Inn & Suites 1708 W State Hwy 71 La Grange,TX 78945 (979) 968-2600www.lagrangeexecutiveinn.com

Hampton Inn1624 W State Hwy 71La Grange, TX 78945(979) 968-4900www.LaGrange.hamptoninn.com

The Oak Motel277 S. Jefferson StreetLa Grange, TX 78945(979) 968-3133

River Valley Motor Inn 1575 W. State Hwy 71 La Grange, TX 78945 (979) 9688314 www.rivervalleyinn.com

ROUND TOP-CARMINEA Light Unto My Path

2117 FM 1457 Round Top, TX 78954(979) 249-5620

A Green House at Waldeck Acres7839 Waldeck Cemetery Road Round Top, TX 78954(979) 278-4211

A Wellspring in Round Top580 N. Washington StreetRound Top, TX 78954(979) 279-2019

Abbie’s Addition2336 St Hwy 237 Round Top, TX 78954(405) 301-1874

Audrey’s Cottage204 W Wantke Street Round Top, TX 78954(832) 671-7821

Aunt Clara’s Cottage333 E Cig Ten(713) 569-9274Carmine , TX 78932

Belle Of Round Top 230 Days End Rd. Round Top , TX 78954 (979) 249-4134

Bootstrap At Round Top5100 Roznov, Round Top, TX 78954 (713) 502-0328 www.bootstraptexas.com

Briarfield Bed & Breakfast 219 FM 954 Round Top , TX 78954(979) 249-3973 www.briarfieldatroundtop.com

Cole Cottage203 W. Wantke St.Round Top, TX 78954(888) 922-4179

Cottage at the Village Green301 S. White StreetRound Top, TX 78954(830) 708-3267

Cot-N-Coffee at Walhalla1724 W. FM 1291Round Top, TX 78954281-728-9431

Das Blaue Haus4337 S. St. Hwy 237Round Top, TX 78954(979) 249-3131 www.dasblauehaus.com

Dragonfly Moments4100 FM 2714Round Top, TX 78954281-384-4207

Dragonfly Ranch524 FM 954Round Top, TX 78954310-918-7001

Elisa’s Sunday Haus599 Bybee RoadRound Top, TX 78954(979) 249-5522www.roundtopbnb.com

The Front Porch12135 Young Circle, Carmine(979) 278-3809www.roundtoplodging.com

Farmhouse Round Top5686 FM 1457Round Top, TX 78954(979) 249-3868www.farmhouseroundtop.com

Hackberry Hill Farm3438 Hartfield RdRound Top, TX 78954(713) 417-5828

Hartfield House1900 Hartfield Rd.Round Top, TX 78954(979) 966-9003www.heartfieldhouse.com

Hotel St. Vinzent100 Bauer Rummel RoadRound Top, TX 78954(979) 249-5982

Jaster Road Ranch1109 Jaster Rd.Round Top, TX 78954(713) 628-6190www.jasterroadranch.com

Lulubelle Designs1913 St Loop 458Carmine, TX 78932(832) 372-7217

Meyerland Farm5696 Wagner RoadRound Top, TX 78954(979) 836-9450

Outpost at Cedar Creek Inn B&B5808 Wagner RoadRound Top, TX 78954(979) 249-5409

Pecan Grove Inn233 Augsburg St.Carmine, TX 78932(281) 433-8845www.pecangroveinn.com

Peck House311 N. Live Oak, Round Top, TX 78954(979) 249-3972 www.greenpeck.com

Post Oak SavannahRound Top, TX 78954(979) 249-2572

Prairie Wind Farm4507 Havemann Road, Carmine, TX 78932(979) 278-3208

Rocking Horse Retreat2655 Homeyer Mountain RoadCarmine, TX 78932(281) 797-4640

Rose Hill Cottages304 West Mill St.Round Top, TX (281) 630-5675www.rosehillroundtop.com

Round Top CottagesRound Top, TX(800) 775-1860www.roundtopcottages.com

Round Top Farms301 S WashingtonRound Top, TX(979) 249-3977www.roundtoplodging.com

Round Top Inn407 S White StRound Top, TX(979) 249-5294www.roundtopinn.com

Round Top RetreatAndreas Road, Round Top(979) 249-3542www.roundtopretreat.org

Rusty Bike Inn302 White Street Round Top, TX 78954(979) 289-2128

Schumacher Ranch2433 Keiler Lane Round Top, TX 78954(979) 249-5596

Local Lodgings: Where to Stay When You Come Our Way


Local Lodgings, Continued

Colorado Landing RV, Inc.Bill & Charlo Horton

64 E. Bluff View

La Grange, TX 78945

(979) 968-9465 (979) 968-9055

www.coloradolanding. com

Dillards RV ParkWarrenton, TX 78961,

(979) 249-3779

Dippel’s RV ParkHarvey Dippel

702 Rohde Road

Round Top, TX 78954

(979) 249-3749

Dixieland Texas Retreat RV Park

Paula and Phil Watkins

249 Dixieland RV Park Lane

Carmine, TX 78932

(979) 278-3805

www.southfortyrvpark.com

Fayette County RV Parks

Sugar Hill Retreat B&B Carmine, TX 78932(979) 278-3039

Summerhaus Warrrentop11400 Schuster Rd. Round Top, TX 78956(512) 413-1728 www.warrentopfarm.com

Summit Creek Ranch6148 Florida Chapel Road Round Top, TX 78956310-561-5002

Sunnymede Farm5400 Florida Chapel Rd.Round Top, TX 78956(713) 781-9770

Texana Lodge5728 S. Hwy 237Round Top, TX 78954(979) 968-3495 x200

The Barn6148 Florida Chapel RdRound Top, TX 78954(310) 561-5002www.summitcreekranch.com

The Bunkhouse1419 State Hwy 237Round Top, TX 78954(979) 249-6213www.happytrailsbunkhouse.com

The Carmine Coop1318 Spur 458Carmine, TX 78932214-725-0529

The Front Porch12135 Young CircleCarmine, TX 78932(979) 278-3809/( 281) 989-7698

The Ghost House700 Rohde RoadRound Top, TX 78954(979) 249-3749

The Longhorn Inn 1227 & 1231 S Hwy 237Round Top, TX 78954(281) 389-2727www.thelonghorninntexas.com

The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell5808 Wagner RdRound Top, TX 78954(310) 338-8505 x102

The Rose Peddlers Inn116 White Street Round Top, TX 78954(979) 249-4111

The Tin Cupola5847 FM 1457Round Top, TX 78954903-521-2468

The Vintage Round Top1450 N Hwy 237Round Top, TX 78954(713) 859-5993

Tilworth Retreat2250 Hartfield RoadRound Top, TX 78954(979) 249-5960

Umland St. Sunday Haus121 Umland StreetCarmine, TX 78932832-514-9345

Warrenton Inn4339 S State Hwy 237Round Top, TX 78954(979) 249-3074

SCHULENBURGBest Western Schulenburg Inn & Suites

101 Huser Blvd.Schulenburg, TX 78956(979) 743-2030www.bestwestern.com

Executive Inn & Suites800 N. US hwy. 77Schulenburg, TX 78956(979) 743-4590www.executiveinnschulenburg.com

Farmhouse & Cabin at Freyburg Abbott’s Grove School Rd, Schulenburg, TX 78956(800) 438-2281www.weekendcottages.com

Mimi’s Bed & Breakfast2925 Piano Bridge Rd.Schulenburg(979) 561-8233

Oakridge Motor Inn205 W I-10 Frontage Rd.Schulenburg, TX 78956(979) 743-4192

Von Minden Hotel607 Lyons Ave. Schulenburg, TX 78956(979) 743-3714

Wildlife Guesthouse7707 US Hwy 90Schulenburg, TX 78956(979) 224-6234www.wguesthouse.com

GREATER ROUND TOP AREAAnna Claire’s Cottage

315 CedarNew Ulm, TX 78950979-992-3199

Bluebonnet Cabins & Wildlife Refuge1842 Track Road WestNew Ulm, TX 78950(713) 822-5038 /(979) 992-3702

Camp for All6301 Rehburg RoadBurton, TX 77835713-686-5666

Cedars Cabins4257 Blezinger RdNew Ulm, Texas 78950(866) 625 [email protected]

Cooper Farm2001 Waldeck RdLedbetter, TX 78946(979) 249-5674

Ledbetter Bed & Breakfast Ledbetter, TX 78946(979) 249-3066

Ledbetter-Pietsch Farmhouse3348 GoehringLedbetter, TX 78946(979) 249-3315

Hillcrest Inn At Warrenton 4339 S St Hwy 237 Warrenton, TX 78961(979) 249-3074

Oldenburg Sunday Haus928 E State Hwy 237Oldenburg, TX(979) 249-5440www.oldenburgsundayhaus.com

Two Hens & A Chick Country Cottage940 US Hwy 290 EastLedbetter, TX 78946817-845-5296

Bird Song Cottage8960 Winedale RoadBurton, TX 77835(713) 201-6591

Cottages of Winedale8955 FM 2714Burton, TX 77835281-948-5081

El Sueno659 Century Farm RoadBurton, TX 77835(979) 219-8428

Snow Farm Deckhouse3405 Muske Ullrich RoadBurton, TX 77835(979) 278-3536

Stonebrook Farm B&B3686 Rehburg RoadBurton, TX 77835979-289-3909

The White Church Guesthouse on the Hill5025 Wickel RoadBurton, TX 77835713-294-1199

Wildflowers Bed & Breakfast8482 Bermuda StIndustry, TX 78944(979) 357-2636

A variety of accommodations are available in Fayette County.

Lake Fayette Parks –Oak Thicket &Park Prairie Parks

Rosalie Graeter

4819 W State Hwy 159

Fayetteville, TX 78940

(979) 249-3504 (979) 249-3623

www.fayettecountybassfishing.com

Flatonia RV Ranch2500 FM 609, Flatonia 78941

361-865-9290

S&H RV ParkSheila & Harry Wiggins

3517 Post Oak Road

La Grange, TX 78945

(979) 249-2050

Schulenburg RV ParkLoretta Baumgarten

65 N. Kessler Avenue

Schulenburg, TX 78956

(979) 743-4388 (979) 743-2858

www.schulenburgrvpark. com

Suncatcher RV Park Del & Sandy DelVecchio

3033 S. US Hwy 77

La Grange, TX 78945

(979) 968-6868

www.dixielandrvpark.com

Tree Park RV Park4635 S. Hwy.237,

Warrenton. TX 78961

(979) 249-5588


By MIKE STROUPSpecial to the Record

Schulenburg is best known as the offi-cial Home of the Painted Churches as desig-nated by the Texas State Legislature. Guided tours and information about the churches, plus area events and other information may be obtained at the Greater Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center located at 618 N. Main, website schulen-burgchamber.org or phone at 866-504-5294.

Due to the city’s central Texas location at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and Highway 77, Schulenburg is becoming a favorite tour destination, especially from the major cities of Texas.

Festivals celebrating most everything from Texas music, polka, car shows and wine to sausage – making are being added each year.

We are also home to the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum, the Polka Music Museum

and the Schulenburg Historical Museum. The Schulenburg Festival (1st full weekend in August) is the big annual fest with popu-lar bands, a rodeo, carnival, cook off and softball tournament.

Another popular event is the “What I Like About Texas” Wine Walk and dance on the 2nd Saturday each March. Two new events were added for 2014.

The “Show and Shine” Car show was in January and the 1st annual Sausagefest will

be April 5 (always the 1st Saturday in April). The Sausagefest is a street party with polka bands and a bit of rhythm and blues, a sau-sage making contest and kids events.

The increase in tourism plus the area oil and gas activity has brought new hotels, B&B’s and restaurants.

The most recent being the Holiday Inn Express at I-10 and Hwy. 77 and Chez Res-taurant on Highway 77.

Come to Schulenburg.

Schulenburg: Fun on Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

Sengelmann Hall is a fully restored 1890’s Texas Dance Hall and restaurant, located in downtown Schulenburg. The town, and its surrounding countryside are filled with beautifully restored buildings, homes and churches.


at

Meet At Momma’s

Monday ClosedTuesday ClosedWednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pmThursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pmFriday 10:00 am – 5:00 pmSaturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pmSunday Closed

facebook.com/sengleman.hallsenglemannhall.com

Specializing in Native& English Gardens,

Xeriscaping, andContemporary

Landscapes

Floral Designs

forWeddings& Special

Events

Give us a call or e-mail [email protected].


Catholic immigrants from Europe brought ideas of what a church should look like with them when they came to Fayette County in the 1800s – it should look as much as possible like the great cathedrals they were used to.

That’s the reason congregations paid itin-erant painters to create interiors that appeared to have marble columns and vaulted ceilings. Elaborate gold-leaf ornamentation and statu-ary on the altars augmented the illusion of grandeur. The painted effects are still vibrant today. The Painted Church Tour serves as the center-piece for the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce.

“The structures, located in the communi-ties of Dubina, High Hill, Ammannsville, and Praha appear unassuming as you approach them, but as you enter the front doors prepare to have your breath taken away by the beauty

found inside,” the chamber says.“The colorful spring flowers enhance the

country churches, but they don’t compare to the vivid hues of the interiors.”

There are more than 20 painted churches around Texas, ranging from simple to ex-tremely elaborate. In 1984, 15 of the churches were listed in the National Registrer of His-toric Places.

The Painted Churches have been featured in numerous magazines, television programs and newspaper articles. A scenic tour of the churches in Fayette County is an easy day trip from Austin, Houston or San Antonio.

Brochures are available outside the Schul-enburg chamber of commerce office, 618 N. Main Street. (979) 743-4514. Several tour groups offer trips to the Painted Churches. In-formation is available from the chamber.

St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption 821 FM 1295, Praha community.

Located just south of the railroad tracks that run par-allel to SH 90, Praha is list-ed in Lindsay Baker’s Ghost Towns of Texas. Prior to the coming of the Czechs, Praha was called Mulberry by the Anglo settlers. Praha has a huge gathering every year when thousands descend on the church grounds for a vet-eran’s reunion.

Built: 1895Architect: O. KramerArtist: Gottfried Flury,

Rev. Louis Netardus, and Gene A. Mikulik

Mass Times: Weekends: Saturday 4:30 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m.Picnic: 8/15 & Sun before Vet-erans DayChurch related information on Praha—Call 361-596-4674

Heaven on Earth

Fayette County Home to Famous Painted Churches

FOR TOURISM INFO CALL 979-561-6667 OR E MAIL [email protected]

St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church of Dubina FM 1383 @ Piano Bridge Rd Mass 8:45 am Sunday Picnic: Sunday before 4th of JulyChurch related information on Dubina—Call 979-725-6714

St. John the Baptist of Ammannsville 7745 Mensik Rd off FM 1383 Mass 8:00 am even month of Sundays 9:30 am odd months Picnic: Father’s DayChurch related information on Ammannsville—Call 979-743-3117

St. Mary’s of Praha 821 FM 1295 Mass 4:30 pm Sat & 8:00 am Sundays Picnic: 8/15 & Sun before Veterans DayChurch related information on Praha—Call 361-596-4674

St. Mary’s of High Hill 2833 FM 2672 Mass 6:30 pm Sat. & 7:00 am Wed. Picnic: Labor Day SundayChurch related information on High Hill—Call 979-743-3117

From Austin, take Hwy 71 or 290 to Giddings and connect to Hwy 77.From Houston or San Antonio, take I-10.From Waco, take Hwy 77 South.


Come Try our FamouslyDelicious Jaegerschnitzel!

Sunday - Thursday11 a.m. - 9 p.m.Friday & Saturday11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

50 N. Kessler Ave.Schulenburg

979.743.5011

Great Service, Delicious Food

Specializing In Seafood, Pasta,Mexican, Burgers, Steaks!

Salad Bar • Full Service Bar

Delivery to Best Western and Holiday Inn in Schulenburg

St. John the BaptistCatholic Church7745 Mensik Rd., Ammansville community.

The Catholic church and a school opened in 1890. De-stroyed by the hurricane of 1909, the church was rebuilt. It burned shortly thereafter and had to be rebuilt a second time.

Built: 1918Painted:1919Architect: John BujnochArtist: Fred Donecker and

SonsMass Times: Weekends:

Sunday 9:30 a.m. (Odd Months). Sunday 8 a.m. (even months).

Church related informa-tion on Ammannsville—Call 979-743-3117

Right: The interior of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ammannsville.

Below: The exterior of the church.


979.743.3322INTERSECTION OF Hwy. 77 and I-10

(SCHULENBURG)

Texas T-shirtsGifts ★ BootsJeans ★ Hats& Much More!

St. Mary: Nativity of Mary,Blessed Virgin2833 FM 2672, High Hill community.

Elaborate faux-marble columns and vaulted ceilings make this church one of the ones not to miss. The gray-ish blue stone capping the buttresses and accenting the brick was quarried from the nearby town of Muldoon.

Built: 1906 Mass Times: 6:30 p.m.

Saturday and 7 a.m. on Wednesdays Picnic: Labor Day SundayChurch related information on High Hill—Call 979-743-3117

Painted:1912 Architect:Leo Dielmann Artist:

Stockert and KernBuilder: Frank Bohlman

Fayette County’s Famoues Painted Churches...


TOUR RURAL TEXAS

RURAL TEXAS TOURISM LLCRURAL TEXAS TOURISM LLC

Featured in Texas Highways MagazineWith New Adventures in Old La Grange &

Painted Churches of Fayette County 1.5 hours from Houston 1 hour from Austin 1 hour from Victoria 2 hours from Waco

Tours with a 5th-Generatio

n

Step On Guide-Competitive Rates

Press, Marketi

ng, & More

Tour options:• Churches (10+)• State Park• Czech Center• Candy Factory• Old West Town• Homes/Museums• Barnyard• Kolache & Stores• Handicap tours• Stories of Saints/Settlers Orphan Trains

(consider a tour as a gift to your wedding guests!)“Our press releases tell your story”

Come & enjoy a true Texas treasure-Rural Texas. Year-round day trips to La Grange, Fayetteville, Round Top, Flatonia, Schulen-burg, and Weimar area will take you back to that moment in time of history depicting the struggles of the early Texas pioneers: German, Hispanic, Black, Czech, Jews, Tex-ians, Irish immigrants through church tours, historical sites, fun, and folkore. Shopping, lodging, dining info upon re-quest. Check out events on the website.

Contact: Cathy [email protected] 979-561-6667

Select a Tour or Mix & Match,It’s All about YOU – (rates are

competitive – we want you here!)

[email protected] or [email protected]

Seeking an unforgettable day(s)excursion? Need more publicity?

Rural Texas Tourism LLC can do it!(979) 561-6667

Live, Learn, and Love Rural Texas... It’s all about you!

We do press releases/marketing also!Our press releases tell the story of your event, attraction, or business and are sent to countless contacts throughout the State of Texas-we do the work and stay within your budget to promote you!

979-561-6667 e-mail: [email protected] Cathy Chaloupka, Owner (ask for CC)

New Tours Available!

Sts. Cyril and Methodius ChurchFM 1383 Dubina community.

Featuring simple stenciling and framed Stations of the Cross, the church is just west of Weimar off old Hwy 90. Other than Sunday, the church can be viewed from the entry only. It can be opened for groups. Just north of the church is the old Dubina grocery. Following the road around the corner will take you over the “Piano Bridge” – one of the few remain-ing iron bridges in Fayette County.

Painted: 1909Architect: Leo DielmannMass Times: Weekends: 8:45 a.m.

SundayPicnic: Sunday before 4th of JulyChurch related information on Dubina—Call 979-725-6714


979-743-3555 Fax [email protected]

Open 7 Days a Week7 am - 9 pm Hours:

Friday & Saturday10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

and for special events

For group or private tours call:Florence Farek at 979.743.3614

or email: [email protected]

Schulenburg Historical Museum

The mission of the Schulenburg Historical Museum is to identify, preserve and display historical artifacts and events and to educate our

current and future generations about the lifestyle of their ancestors

631 North Main StreetSchulenburg, Texas 78956

Collections include:•178 types of barbed wire dated from 1868 to 1977

•Arrow heads dated back to 6,000 B.C.•Local wedding pictures dated back to the early 1920’s

•Early Crosley Ice Maker•Other early Household items

Information on the Lyons family & other settlers is available for research.

Fayette County is blessed with an abundance of great music and music venues.

Originals to covers – classical to country – folk, rock and polka – it is getting harder and harder to keep up with all the great music available in our rolling hills.

While we have our fair share of country dance bands, it is the variety of music that makes this area stand out.

Visitors happening into any of several area music ven-ues or dance halls such as the Chicken Ranch Dance Hall, the Cistern Store, The Bugle Boy or any of several others listed below might think they are in the music capital of Texas, nevermind Austin’s claim!

The Bugle Boy, a well-known “listening room,” fea-tures singer/songwriters almost exclusively.

Sengelmann Hall, a recently restored 19th-century sa-loon and dance hall in Schulenburg, has music some week-ends.

Out on the beautiful campus of Festival Hill near Round Top, founding maestro and guiding genius James Dick continues to train young musicians for professional careers.

If you like classical music (or think you might like it) don’t miss a chance to experience it in the world class con-cert hall at Festival Hill this June and July.

Here’s a look at the venues:

Sengelmann HallLocated in downtown Schulenburg sponsors well-

known musical acts and features a restaurant, biergarten and bakery. www.sengelmannhall.com

Live Music And Dancehalls Are Easy To Find Here

Continued on next page The Shiner Hobo band shown here performing at Sengelmann Hall in Schulenburg. Shiner Hobo Band photo


The Bugle BoyThe “Best Little Listening Room in Texas,” features origi-

nal music Fridays, Saturdays and some Sundays. Smoke-free with about 80 seats. www.thebugleboy.com

Festival Hill Just outside Round Top, it is famous for productions of

piano, guitar, orchestral and chamber music in their Euro-pean-style Concert Hall.

Monthly calendar of events plus the summer Festival Institute dedicated to “Orchestral, Chamber Music and Solo Performance.” www.festivalhill.org

Fayetteville’s Pickin’ Park Hosts acoustic jam sessions on the square in a alcohol-

free atmosphere Saturdays, April-November. www.texas-pickinpark.com

Swiss Alp Dance Hall Hisstoric venue halfway between La Grange and Schulen-

burg at 6940 N. US 77. Where country kids went to rock’n roll back in the day. Occasional bands. (979) 247-4297

Post Oak Inn On the Bluff in La Grange, books country dance bands

intermittently. (979) 247-4347

Adolph’sIn the Tenth Frame Bowling Alley in Schulenburg occa-

sionally hosts rock, country and karaoke. (979) 943-6585

The Stone Cellar Located in Bybee Square in Round Top hosts music

most weekends.

The Pavilion at the Fayette County Fairgrounds is a historic dancehall built in 1925 that’s the center of activity during the Best Little Cowboy Gathering every March in La Grange.

Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival Held annually over two weekends in mid-May in the

historic Country Place Hotel on the town square. <[email protected]>

La Grange Knights of Columbus Hall Hosts the Fayette County Opry featuring local and area

singers sitting in with an excellent house band on the third Monday of every month. (979) 968-5117

Chicken Ranch Dance HallIn Nechanitz, this hall books musical acts in its spacious

ballroom. (979)966-8033 chickenranchdancehall.com

Cistern StoreHas karaoke or live music every weekend. 12604 S.H. 95

(361) 865-3655 [email protected]

Cistern Schoolhouse Has live music jams most Fridays. Look for the old schoolbus on FM 2237.

Be sure to check Live & Local entertainment listings in every Tuesday’s Fayette County Record for up-to-date bookings.


Fayetteville’s Pickin’ Park are acoustic jam sessions held on Saturdays. Photo by Jerry Herring

Regency Home Health of Schulenburg

309 Kessler - PO Box 488Schulenburg, Texas

979-743-HOME (4663)Serving Fayette, Colorado, Lavaca,

Gonzales & Austin counties

Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center

111 College St.Schulenburg, Texas 979-743-6537

Long term care Inpatient Rehabilitation,

Skilled Nursing & Special Care Unit

College Place Assisted Living

210 College St.Schulenburg, Texas 979-743-6180

Jefferson Place Assisted Living911 South Jefferson La Grange, Texas 979-968-9161

Schulenburg RegencyRetirement Villas205 East Ave. Ste. A Schulenburg, Texas979-743-4791

Independent Living1 & 2 Bedroom Apts & Garden Homes

Schulenburg Family Fitness & Outpatient RehabSchulenburg Regency Rehab Services

80 N. Kessler - Schulenburg, Texas Rehab : 979-743-4109

Fitness Center: 979-743-2864 Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Industrial Rehab, Sports Medicine and Aquatic Therapy in

heated indoor poolGym has strength building machines, treadmills, spinning cycles, free weights, classes and water aerobics classes.

SKILLED NURSINGINPATIENT REHABOUTPATIENT REHAB HOME HEALTHASSISTED LIVINGINDEPENDENT LIVING FITNESS CENTER

Schulenburg Regency Continuum of Care Retirement Community is locally owned and operated. We understand the needs of our patients whether they are living in our nursing home for skilled nursing or inpatient rehab, one of our assisted living centers, retirement villas, or

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By LINDA STALLIn Schulenburg, art can be found in an unlikely but ex-

traordinary place: the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum. As a young man, Schulenburg native Victor Stanzel was

fascinated by flight. Like many of his generation, his first exposure to flight was the sight of military airplanes flying overhead his home.

To pursue his love of aircraft, Victor studied drafting and welding. He may never have thought of himself as an artist, but visitors to the museum will see that among his many tal-ents he was indeed an accomplished sculptor, graphic artist, and commercial design artist.

In the early 1920s Victor refined what had been a hob-by, carving solid, true scale ornamental models of military aircraft. He began with meticulously carved and decorated Curtis Falcon AC-3s, selling them to the cadets in flight training at Kelly Air Force Base.

To stay current on aviation trends he studied industry publications of the time, such as Popular Aviation and Avia-tion Digest. In the 1930s he began advertising his ornamen-tal models for sale in the same magazines. These beauti-fully detailed military aircraft models demonstrate Victor’s artistic skill.

Victor worked first from his mother’s home. His brother Joe joined the business after graduating from high school. As their business grew they hired staff, built a manufac-turing building, and traveled extensively to promote their models.

The business grew from ornamental models, to tethered flying models, kits and ready-to-fly models, even amuse-ment park rides. In 1933, they built their first full-sized amusement ride, the “Fly-A-Plane.” In 1936, their “20th Century Stratos-Ship” was placed on exhibit at the Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas.

True renaissance men, the Stanzels designed the com-pany’s manufacturing equipment, packaging, marketing displays and advertising. They personally developed the company advertising artwork and logo designs. Victor stud-ied drafting so that he could do his own blue prints for the balsa wood model kits, and later the plastic flying models. The blue prints themselves stand alone as art, “suitable for framing.”

Visitors to the Stanzel Model Airplane Museum will be impressed with the scope of the Stanzels’ creativity. And they will be transported visually to the early days of model airplane toys.

The packaging artwork is distinctly evocative of its time, capturing images of happy children enjoying flying model airplanes. But beyond the “toy” or the “model” one sees images that stand alone on their artistic merit.

Crisp images and bold colors catch the viewer’s eye. Utilizing strong primary colors, their signature look, the packaging and advertising illustrations attract the attention of the consumer. The images are designed to illustrate the movement of the flying model airplanes. The airplanes are shown climbing and swooping, simple brush strokes create the motion of flight.

The museum displays give the visitor an opportunity to see examples of the artwork separately before they were incorporated into the store displays and product packaging. These preliminary designs allow the viewer to appreciate the true artistic quality of the images. Images designed to entice buyers as intrigued by flight as Victor Stanzel was as a young boy in the fields near Schulenburg watching mili-tary aircraft overhead.

Victor Stanzel and Company began in 1930, finally closing its doors in 2001. The Stanzel Family Foundation operates the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum. For more in-formation visit www.stanzelmuseum.org

Historic Stanzel signage at the museum. Photos by David Stall

History Takes Flight at Schulenburg’s Stanzel MuseumThe Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum is located at 311 Baumgarten Street in Schulenburg and open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Photo by David Stall



If you call the little town in the northeastern corner of Fayette County “Car-Mine,” instead of “Car-Mean,” folks might remark “you’re not from around here,

are you?”Carmine is on U.S. 290 between Austin and Houston,

which means a lot of traffic whizzes by day and night.But the town has ten antiques stores, including one in an

old lumber yard which houses several dealers.Last year Carmine entrepreneur Jeff Wunderlich opened

a grocery store, the Village Market adjacent his restaurant, J.W.’s Steakhouse. There’s an attached event center on one end and Valero gas pumps on the other.

“I’ve been thinking of doing this for some time,” Wun-derlich said. He likened his efforts to establish commercial anchors in Carmine to what happened in Round Top. “I’ve always thought the Round Top Mercantile really helped the

growth of Round Top,” he said. Carmine is an organized community with a city gov-

ernment, a consolidated high school (Round Top-Carmine), and a well-established bank that’s locally famous for once being robbed by Raymond Hamilton and Gene O’Dare, members of the Barrow gang – as in Bonnie and Clyde.

Since 2009, the town’s also been the home of Bob Springer’s Texas Basketball Museum.

Of the six incorporated towns in Fayette County, Car-mine is the northernmost, watching over 10,000 vehicles a day pass through on U.S. 290.

Founded in 1883, Carmine is located in the heart of Central Texas, serving as the mid-point between the cit-ies of Houston and Austin.

This makes it a major gateway to all the other com-munities of Fayette County.

The small population and quiet atmosphere allows for a great getaway from the stress of the larger cities.

Carmine is only about a 1½-hour drive from Austin or Houston.

Visitors enjoy shopping for antiques, visiting the many area attractions and events, and experiencing over-night accommodations at a Bed & Breakfast.

Carmine is a great place to live if you are raising a family or looking for a place to retire.

If you are looking for a place to start a small busi-ness, consider Carmine.

There are many business opportunities in Carmine, including low taxes, local incentives and a supportive community.

The City of Carmine provides a l½ acre park, which is open to the public. The park is equipped with picnic tables, barbecue pits and playgrounds for children. A pa-vilion is also located within the park, which is available for rental through the city.

Carmine Worth a Stop on Busy Highway 290Texas Trash and Treasure is just one of several charming places to find antiques in Carmine.


By JEFF WICKThe Fayette County Record

CARMINE – This small town in the far northern tip of Fayette County was once a basketball hotbed when Round-Top Carmine High School won three girls state titles between 1966 and 1972.

Now it’s back on the basketball map in a big way.Since 2009 the Texas Basketball Museum has

been housed here at the corner of Augsburg Ave. and Haupstrausse St. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This community, known more for its antique shops, is now home to maybe the best collection of historic basketball items in the state.

It’s all housed in a pretty nondescript building that used to be Albers Butane Service across from JW’s Steakhouse one block off of busy Highway 290.

That’s where Bob Springer’s dream has come to life.“Basketball has been really good to me,” Springer

said. “I wanted to give something back.”Springer is a former college basketball player (at

6-foot-8 you can see why). Back in 1964 he even led the nation in field goal percentage for Howard Payne University.

After that he began a long career as a high school basketball coach in the Houston area, but Springer’s really become known throughout the state as the pub-lisher of Texas Basketball Magazine, which he started in 1988. It’s an annual preseason guide that’s highly prized by Texas coaches, scouts and fans alike.

Fourteen years ago Springer bought an antique shop

in Carmine and then seven years ago bought the Albers building next to it with the hopes of building a public place to display his ever-expanding collection of basket-ball memorabilia. The Texas Basketball Museum has been a work in progress ever since.

One thing that really jump-started the project was the

decision by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches to move its High School Basketball Hall of Fame from the Texas Sports Hall of Fame into Springer’s Museum.

“It (the high school basketball hall of fame) was like a stepchild (at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco),”

Bob Springer is shown here at his Texas Basketball Museum days before its grand opening in 2009. It’s only grown since then. Photos by Jeff Wick

The Wall of Honor at the Texas Basketball Museum.

Basketball History Preserved in Carmine

Continued on Page 29

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Springer said. “We were off in the corner, had as much space as a master bedroom. It really didn’t do it justice.

“I told them I’ve got the room to do it, you’re welcome to have it here.”

Being in a small community like Car-mine, Springer knows the museum is sort of out of place, but it’s a nice middle lo-cation between Austin and Houston.

It’s a drive well worth it for those city folks, he said. There’s hundreds of square feet of display area, including an entire room devoted to photo plaques and bios of every hall school basketball of game inductee.

The Hall of Fame is just a small part of this museum.

There’s display cases that Springer built by hand that house jerseys and memorabilia from Texas natives-turned NBA stars like Spud Webb and Rashard Lewis.

On display is a Shaquille O’Neal jer-sey from San Antonio Cole High School,

a whole shelf of 150 referee’s whistles, and various championship trophies. You name a basketball great with Texas ties and Springer’s got his autograph. There’s even an 80-year-old basketball that filled with so many autographs of Texas bas-ketball coaching greats that Springer esti-mates they’ve combined for 50,000 wins.

On display is a huge scoreboard with the old clock face way of keeping time.

There’s even an entire showcase de-voted to just Round Top-Carmine bas-ketball history. About 65 percent of the items belong to the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame while 35 percent are from Springer’s personal collection.

The museum hours vary. The best way to check it out is to call ahead l-979-278-4222 and arrange a time with Springer to check it out. Springer can also be reached by email at [email protected]

Springer doesn’t even charge admis-sion, though he will accept donations.

“I just want to keep the history of the sport alive,” Springer said.

Texas Basketball Museum Opened in 2009 in CarmineContinued from Page 37

Carmine was founded on Decem-ber 24, 1883, by Benjamin J. Thigpen, a highly regarded physician. He purchased 46 acres of land for $230 and plotted the townsite as “Sylvan”, but subsequently changed the name to Carmean, after one of the original highly-respected settlers of the area, Newton Carmean. The spelling of the town was changed to Carmine on June 15, 1892, to eliminate confusion for the postal service with the town of Cam-eron. The railroad opened a small station in the new city of Carmine where farmers could ship their products to market.

By 1900 Carmine had four general stores, four saloons, two blacksmith shops, a new paper named the New Cen-tury, several churches, and ten other busi-nesses.

The Carmine State Bank opened in 1907 and the town received an economic boost that has helped the city throughout the years. With the bank opening, other industry followed, boosting Carmine’s population growth to approximately 500 in the early 1900’s.

The main economics of yesteryear

were cotton, potatoes, chickens, eggs and cattle. Today, the chief source of Car-mine’s economy is antique stores, tour-ism, ranching and the beautiful and his-torical countryside surrounding the city.

Train Depot/MuseumLocated at 248 Sylvan Street, the

building that housing Carmine’s museum was the actual Southern Pacific Railroad Depot building for the City of Carmine. Through the donation of the land by Mrs. Gladys J. Krause and the building by Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Wagner, the depot, which had been moved out of the city of Car-mine was returned to the city and restored to become the city’s historical museum.

Numerous area residents have donat-ed historical items for the museum and today it provides a historical review of Carmine dating back to its founding in 1883. The museum is open on the second and fourth Fridays and Saturdays of ev-ery month from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Special tours may be arranged by calling 979-277-4613

From Sylvan to Carmean to Carmine



Every night for a week last December, national television audiences were wowed by a 23-year-old barrel racer from Fayette County, who was tearing up the track at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Taylor Jacob of Carmine won rounds three and four and six of the Na-tional Finals in barrel racing, beating out the other 14 top racers in the world.

She won Round 6 in an arena record 13.37 seconds.In less than a week, Jacob won $63,802 at the National Finals and won

$145,855 this season. Jacob’s done it riding an 8-year-old buckskin gelding named “Bo.” The success has seemingly come quickly for a young woman just four

years after graduating from Round Top-Carmine High School. She graduated from Texas A&M in December and was a scholarship rodeo athlete there. This year she was the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Rookie of the Year.

What most people don’t see is the hard work that went into laying the foundation for this success.

“She works so hard at it. This didn’t just come easily,” said her very proud grandfather Jerry Jacob, who along with his wife Barbara flew to Vegas to watch the final rounds of the National Finals.

Relatives from all over the county have celebrated Jacob’s success. Her parents are Lane and Robyn Jacob, who own Carmine Feed and Fer-

tilizer. She’s got an older brother Tanner Jacob and a younger brother Tucker Jacob. Her other grandparents include Ronnie and Bobbie Dube of Round Top and Lynn and Janet Lehman of Ledbetter.

Barrel Racer Taylor Jacob Puts Carmine in National Spotlight


Shopped CARMINE Lately?Be sure to check out the

Little City with the BIG Heart. Carmine City Hall979-278-3273www.cityofcarmine.org Chamber of Commerce979-278-4200

HALLS for RENTCarmine Lions Club979-278-3613Carmine [email protected] Volunteer Fire Dept.979-278-3250Carmine’s Muehlbrad- AlbersPavilion979-278-3273

MUSEUMSCarmine Chamber of Commerce Museum & Visitors’ Center 979-278-4200Texas Basketball Museum979-278-4222

SERVICESCarmine Charolais Ranch979-278 3270Carmine State Bank979-278-3244www.csbcarmine.comCarmine Feed & Fertilizer979-278-3111City Garage979-278-3377Darlene’s Custom Sewing979-278-3325Diane Langley, Realtor AssociateRound Top Real Estate 979-525-1324Honest to Goodness Growers979-278-3053J.R Flasowski Septic Service 979-830-3643L.A. Mayer EnterprisesMonty Mayer979-542-7988Lila Garlin, Realtor AssociateRound Top Real Estate281-705-4647

Lisa Mayer, Broker AssociateRound Top Real Estate979-966-3686Market Realty979-830-9600Wellmann Insurance979-836-3613Ronnie Eckhart

FOOD4G Convenience Store979-278-3000JW’S Steakhouse979-278-4240Crooked Floor Cafe979-278-3525The Village Market979-278-3333

BUSINESSESD&T Antiques979-865-2136Hour Glass Trading Co. 979-278-4040Jayne’s Place Antique Mall979-278-3866Hill Country Collectibles979-278-3314Texas Trash & Treasures979-278-3404 Neese’s Antiques & Collecti-bles979-278-3280Stoney Creek Antiques713-898-7667Texas Casual Cottages979-278-3015Trendy Chicks832-928-4398Unique Antiques979-278-3690West of BrazosTrading Co.979-278-3010

LODGINGAunt Clara’s Guest House713-569-9274Pecan Grove Inn979-278-3965



Even before Texas Governor Rick Perry made plans to build a home near there, the tiny community of Round Top was well-known to antiquers and flea market brows-

ers all over the United States and beyond. It’s known colloquially as “Round Top,”

and for good reason. It started there in 1967, but long ago outgrew its origins and spread all over the countryside.

The shows now encompass six little

Antiquers ParadiseFayette County is Home to Massive Outdoor Spring/Fall Markets

towns, sixty venues and thousands of ven-dors, quickly followed by tens of thousands of shoppers.

Traditional dates are “the first full week-ends of April and October,” but in practice, many venue owners require 10-16 day booth space rental. Setting up, tearing down and moving out take another 10 days. All in all, it’s about a month of paranormal activi-ties in the countryside twice a year.

Lines of vehicles on farm-to-market roads are the key indicator – along with miles of white tents and almost-continuous road-side attractions – that the twice-yearly event is occurring again in northern Fayette County.

Rooms are booked in all area motels,

B&Bs and private homes far in advance.There’s no overall organizing authority,

according to Robert Alvarado, who probably has a better grasp of the phenomenon than anyone. He has been publishing his guide to the venues, Show Daily, since 2000. It is the serious shoppers’ bible, but there’s so much to see, just wandering around also works fine for most people.

Over the last several shows, many fe-male shoppers have affected a certain style which might be described as “gypsy cow-girl” meets “shabby chic.” It consists of tapered jeans or flowing skirts, high boots – western or high fashion – and faux-bat-

The fields of northern Fayette County turn into giant flea markets every spring and fall with thousands of vendors from around the world.

This is a typical scene in Warrenton, tables of tables of old treasures just looking for the right buyer.


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tered cowboy hats. The fashion statement has been popularized by the Junk Gypsies, a College Station mother-and-sisters act and “Shabby Chic” fashionista (and London ex-pat) Rachel Ashwell.

The Gypsies’ tongue-in-cheek name for themselves reflects a departure from the rather hoity-toity tone of the original an-tiques show in Round Top. Although their original venue location was in Warrenton, a new Junk Gypsy “world headquarters” is lo-cated near Round Top. Ashwell’s home turf is a bed and breakfast retreat northeast of Round Top on the way to Shelby. It’s dubbed “The Prairie.”

The irony is that what is now a mass middle-class phenomenon started as a rath-er exclusive party for wealthy Houstonians.

How it grew so big – it’s acknowledged to be one of the largest markets in the country – is an interesting tale.

The original Round Top antiques show was the idea of three Houston matrons way back in 1967. There was one venue – the historic Round Top Rifle Hall.

Hazel Ledbetter, Faith Bybee and, most notably, philantropist Ima Hogg, were all in-volved with the “discovery” of the rich local heritage of European-influenced art, craft and architecture.

Their interest in buying, restoring and furnishing 19th-century homes in the area – especially Hogg’s work at Winedale and By-bee’s in Round Top – attracted the interest of their circle of friends in Houston, some of whom bought ranches and built homes in the area. They became known locally as the

Country music star Miranda Lambert, front and center, is a regular visitor to the Fayette County antiques markets (this photo is from her visit in 2013).




Bring your walking shoes, you can literally walk for miles as you stroll through the spring and fall antiques markets in Fayette County.

“mink and manure set.”In 1967, Ledbetter, Bybee and Hogg recruited their an-

tiques dealer friend, Emma Lee Turney, to set up the first Round Top show. It was scheduled to coordinate with activi-ties at Winedale.

The show was intended to be a rural entertainment for country gentry and others drawn by the restoration efforts. Ralph Willard, one of Turney’s original 22 vendors, de-scribed it as “a real sort of society thing.”

There were the usual fine American and European antiques, but the hottest items were pieces of handmade

19-century Texas furniture which had suddenly become “hot” due to the collecting efforts of Hogg, Bybee and oth-ers.

The show became a regular event on the River Oaks social calendar in the late 60s and early 70s. As concerts and other cultural activities flourished at Hogg’s Winedale and Bybee’s Henkel Square (including piano concerts by Hogg’s artistic protege, James Dick,) the antiques show grew too, becoming twice-yearly, originally, “the first full weekend of April and October.”

Money attracted money and social cachet didn’t hurt. Quite soon, Round Top was not just another dying little ag-

ricultural town – it was re-invented, much in the manner of Santa Fe, as a cultural and artistic center.

Meanwhile, in the late-1980s, down the road in Warren-ton, the growing popularity of the Round Top shows was not going unnoticed. Bernitta McCormick and her neighbor B. J. Renck both opened up venues along SH 237. It was the beginning of the Warrenton shows.

Now venues stretch from La Grange to Burton along SH 237 and US 290 including shows in Fayetteville, Shelby and everywhere in between.

Happy shopping.


From 22 Vendors Back in 1967, to Thousands Now You name a genre of antiques, and chances are there’s a vendor here that specializes in selling it, like this vendor who deals in old gas station memorabilia.


By Kathy Johnston

On any given weekend, a stop in the quaint central Texas town of Round Top will treat its visitors to a surprising amount of activity. The town, locat-

ed on State Highway 237 half way between Brenham and La Grange, is reputed to be among the smallest incorporated cities in Texas with a population of 90.

This historical treasure is as charming in its authenticity as it is a surprisingly exciting place to be, when one experi-ences it fully.

What could easily be just a sleepy – don’t blink or you’ll miss it – point in the road has now become a destination and center for arts and diverse fun.

So, slow down at the flashing yellow light that marks arrival at the town’s square with its historic courthouse, and turn in to experience most of the action.

Round Top offers virtually something for everyone from beer and wine festivals to Shakespeare, and music; from classical to polkas and classic rock.

Well-known for its fall and spring antiques fairs that span miles and attract thousands, there’s lots more to enjoy in the interim periods.

Five art galleries underscore the fact that Round Top has truly become an artful destination.

There is also a wide variety of shops tucked around the town square, and in adjacent Henkel Square Market and

Bybee Square featuring antiques, quality gifts, fashionable clothing, lovely jewelry, and home decor.

Round Top’s German heritage is noticeable even today as architectural controls have preserved many of the town’s earliest structures. Not to be missed are such original homes as can be found on the grounds of the Round Top Inn, the historic Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and the Round Top Library’s Rummel House.

Many of the structures on Bybee Square and Henkel Square are original to Round Top, or the nearby area. It’s nice to see that so much has not only been preserved, but given new life in such charming ways.

If you arrived hungry, within two blocks in any direction you’ll find great food and good variety – thin crust pizza at the Stone Cellar, steaks at Royers’ Cafe, excellent Mexican fare and serious Margaritas at los Patrones or country com-fort food at Scotty & Friends. If you’re eating ‘on the fly,’ try a made-to-order deli sandwich from Round Top Mercantile or grab a piece of pie, and a latte from Royers’ Pie Haven in Henkel Square Market.

Travelers here will no doubt be plain tuckered out after their Round Top experience. So, why go home? Instead, go to www.roundtop.org to choose from any number of charm-ing accommodations located in Round Top proper or the surrounding area. No hotel chains here, just abundant hos-pitality.

Here the welcome mat is always out and your accommo-

dation will come with an evening sky where you can virtu-ally pick the stars out of the night.

Not-to-be-missed Sites & Events:• Round Top Festival Institute, with acres of gardens &

1200-seat concert hall plays host to both a summer festival, monthly concerts and year-round programs

• Henkel Square Market & Bybee Square - quaint shops & galleries, all in historically significant structures

• Round Top Family Library, a community treasure and a beautiful garden

• Historic Bethlehem Lutheran Church• Five art galleries • Spring Beer Festival• Fall Wine Festival• Spring & Fall Antiques Markets (October & April)• Fall Quilt Festival• Fourth of July Celebration (longest continuously cel-

ebrated this side of the Mississippi River)• Summer Shakespeare Festival• Christmas town-wide celebration with Santa on the

Square• Annual Chili Cook-off benefitting the Round Top

Family Library, the smallest accredited library in the state of Texas

And, much more. For complete and periodic informa-tion, the Chamber website is the place to go: www.roundtop.org

Big Times in Little Round TopParade watchers line up in front of the iconic Royers Cafe on the town square in Round Top for the annual Fourth of July parade.

Photo by Jeff Wick


Just like Fayette County music ranges from polkas to symphonies, there’s world-class theater here, too.

It’s heart lies in Winedale.That’s the tiny Texas community that

Miss Ima Hogg fell in love with and lit-erally bought – then turned it over to The University of Texas.

Shakespeare at Winedale began as an English Department course in 1970. It grew out of a meeting between Professor James Ayres (“Doc” to his students) and Miss Hogg, the philanthropist regarded as “the First Lady of Texas.”

Miss Hogg had recently restored and donated to the University the Winedale His-torical Center, a 270-acre area of pasture, woodland and historic pioneer buildings in central Texas. Noting the resemblance of an 1880s hay barn to an Elizabethan theat-er, she suggested that Ayres try having his students perform Shakespeare there. He

agreed, and Shakespeare at Winedale was born.

As the program grew in size and repu-tation, it began to attract students from out-side the English Department and eventu-ally beyond the University of Texas. The broad spectrum of students served by the program reflects its emphasis on perfor-

mance as a learning method and a means of self-discovery, rather than an end in itself.

For more than 40 years, Shakespeare at Winedale has drawn students with dif-ferent cultural and academic backgrounds from universities around the United States. Their interests have ranged from medicine, law and physics to music, theatre, and Eng-lish. They’ve met every June at Winedale to begin a journey that takes them well be-yond their expectations and themselves.

The program has now expanded to in-clude year-round activities, including spe-cial programs for younger children such as Camp Shakespeare and an Educational Outreach Program.

The Winedale Historical Center is part of the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas.

To get there, go to Round Top, then at the blinking light, turn right onto FM 1457. After about 3 miles, turn left onto FM 2714. Drive one mile down the road. When you get to Winedale, there will be a split rail fence on the right. The visitor’s center is on your left and the Meadows Conference Center is just past the visitor’s center.

Celebrating Summer

Together for 44 Years

Every summer, Shakespeare comes to life in the Theather Barn at Winedale.

Winedale and Shakespeare

“The Heart of Round Top”

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TV’s Junk Gypsies Based in Round Top

Last fall the nationally famous designers, the Junk Gypsy family, opened their “world headquarters” in Round Top. They are shown here on opening day at their store.

Round Top sisters Amie and Jolie Sikes have starred in their own HGTV series and deco-rated a number of celebrity occasions, including the wedding of Blake Shelton and Mi-randa Lambert and a party for the Duck Dynasty family.

Last fall The Junk Gypsies (Jolie Sikes-Smith, her sister Amie Sikes and their mother Janie Sikes) opened their decor and clothing store in Round Top, the latest in a vast empire that includes an HGTV show, a booming online business as well as their prominent presence in Warrenton at Zapp Hall during the annual spring and fall an-tique shows.

If you are not familiar with the Junk Gypsies, they’ve created their thriving brand in the last decade out of finding interesting items at flea markets (and in some cases re-purposing them) and then re-selling them.

“First and foremost we’re junkers,” Amie said in an earlier interview with the Fayette County Record. “And I guess we’re accidental designers.”

They have their own line of clothing and jewelry and up until recently were based out of College Station. The Junk Gypsies have been the longtime hosts of one of Antique Week’s most popular events, the Junk-O-Rama Prom, at Zapp Hall.

“We’ve been coming here for 10 years. There is such a spirit and energy here. It’s like a soul vacation,” Jolie said of Antiques Week.


By JEFF WICK The Fayette County Record

“Rachel Ashwell single-handedly turned shabby into chic.” – Oprah Winfrey

Rachel Ashwell is certainly the most famous bed and break-fast owner in Round Top.

She’s been on the Oprah Winfrey Show, hosted her own tel-evision program on the Style Network for four years, has been featured in everything from the New York Times to People magazine and has had six books on home decor published with a seventh coming out this fall all centered around her philoso-phy of “the beauty of imperfection.”

In 2011 she bought the bed and breakfast she now runs as “The Prairie” at (5808 Wagner Road, Round Top) from Lenor Prud’homme, who had previously run the B&B as The Outpost at Cedar Creek.

Just a few months later she opened her fourth “Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture” store right next to the bed and breakfast.

The store is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and dur-ing the spring and fall Antiques Weeks.

Ashwell has filled The Prairie with her English and French-inspired design touches.

“It’s Marie Antoinette comes to Texas,” she said in an inter-view when The Prairie first opened. “The decor is a bit twinkly, but the bones are primitive Texas.”

Rachel Ashwell Brings ‘Shabby Chic’ to Round Top

Continued on page 50


206 West Mill • P.O. Box 245 • Round Top, Texas 78954Phone: 979.249.2700 • Fax: 979.249.2563

[email protected] • www.ilovetoread.org

Library Services:• Computers with Internet Access• WIFI • eBooks • eMovies• Lending Books, Audio Books,

CD’s, DVD’s, Video Cassettes• Reference Library and Assistance• Periodicals • Texshare Database• Photocopying; Fax; Scanner

Smallest accredited Library in Texas!

Community Services: Summer Reading Club; Adult Book Club; Art Classes; Summer Classes; Yoga; Story Time; ESL;

FYI- and Literary Events; Computer Classes; Sr. Citizens Activities;Play-scape and Area for Kids Parties; Partnership with other institutions.

Bybee Square Shopping Village is filled with delightful finds. Boutiques, art galleries, and a great place to dine and enjoy wine and beer,

Bybee Square provides the perfect escape to relax and en-joy the better things in life.

The shops and boutiques feature unique items that of-fer quality shopping and gifts for yourself and friends that are going to set you apart from the crowd. The galler-ies on Bybee Square feature nationally and internation-ally known artists and the opportunity to enjoy the highest level of artwork. Bybee Square offers friendly, relaxed shopping with owners that focus on you and your needs.

The Stone Cellar offers a delicious specialty pizza, fine wines, and crafted beers. The patio on Bybee Square is filled with fun and music and is known as Round Top’s finest entertainment venue.

The merchants of Bybee Square invite you to stop in and enjoy the offerings at Comforts, fine art and hand-crafted crafts;Cowgirl Junkys, offering the famous Cow-girl Junky Candied Jalapenos; MimiBella for fine linen-wear and more; The Gallery at Round Top, South Central Texas’ Premier Gallery; Thunderbird Gallery, featuring Art of the American West; and Wild Women, Wise Wom-en, specializing in unique original jewelry and fabulous boutique clothing.

The shops are open year round Thursday through Sunday and open daily throughout the Antique Markets. Located in the heart of Round Top, Bybee Square brings you the best.

Bybee Square Offers Shopping, Food in Round Top

Pizza at the Stone Cellar in Round Top is a local favorite.

CARMINEJW’s Steakhouse

122 S Hauptstrasse St, Carmine(979) 278-4240

ROUND TOPLos Patrones

101 S Washington, Round Top(979) 249-5696

Royer’s Round Top Cafe 105 Main St, Round Top (979) 249-3611

Scotty & Friends109 Bauer Rummel Rd, Village Green, Round Top(979) 249-5512

The Stone CellarBybee Square, Round Top(979) 249-3390

WARRENTONThe Oaks Restaurant

5507 S St Hwy. 237, Round Top(979) 249-5909

WINCHESTERHajek’s Country Store & More

Hwy. 77 N. at FM 153, La Grange(979) 242-3291

Murphy’s Steakhouse204 Thomas Street, Winchester(979) 242-3433

Winchester Store8902 FM 153., Winchester(979) 242-5597

Northern Fayette County Dining Guide

O P E N Y E A R R O U N D

Sale!Up to 75% Off

Beautiful fashions to delight


Celebrity designer Rachel Ashwell shows off her latest book at a signing event last fall in Round Top. Photo by H.H. Howze

Ashwell’s designs center on light-colored linens, fluffy couches and wood furni-ture that has a weathered look.

To get a better idea of exactly what “shabby chic” means, her website www.rache-lashwellshabbychiccouture.com does a far better job of explaining it all.

In addition to be a lodging that showcases her designs, Ashwell bought the bed and breakfast as a sort of home-base for her when she’s in the area.

She’s a regular at both spring and fall Round Top/Warrenton antique shows.Many of the things that can be found in her stores, she buys right here in Fayette

County. Though she started her Shabby Chic brand of designs and stores more than 20

years ago, her first trip to this area’s antique shows was just a decade ago.“I thought coming to Texas, I’d just find a bunch of animal heads,” Ashwell said.

“But I was able to find some really magical stuff.”And the area grew on her too. Even though she has homes in California and New

York, she spends several weeks of the year at The Prairie and is a regular attendee of Round Top events.

“This really is a very unique place,” she said. “This isn’t our home, but when we’re here we feel that way.”

And even as the things she finds at the local antique shows influence her as a designer, Round Top and the surrounding area has influenced Rachel Ashwell the person.

“LA and New York are very highly-charged cities. LA is a great place but it can be rather isolating,” Ashwell said. “There is definitely a slower pace here. The internet connection out here is slow. Being out here makes you slow down, but in a good way.”

Continued from Page 48

Rachel Ashwell Owns Lodge/Store Just Outside Round Top

THE GALLERYOrchid Tree Park & Gallery is a sublime 3.5 acre property within walking distance of Round Top Square. The Gallery at Orchid Tree Park is the newest arts venue in Round Top, hosting exhibits by local Texas artists and from select Santa Fe galleries. The park owner’s extensive personal art collection will also be exhibited. Housed in a beautiful home styled building, the contemporary interior will astound you. The ceiling soars to 30’ with an indoor balcony that will delight your senses. And that’s just The Gallery.

THE WORKSHOPThe Orchid Tree Park and Gallery is more than just an art gallery. The vision included a space for hosting various workshops from paint-ing, glass, wood working, and photography to even hosting lectures. The space, approximately 30' x 20', includes countertop space, wash tub, many electrical outlets including on the floor and open for tables and chairs. A kitchenette area with a refrigerator and microwave so guests can even brown bag their lunch during a workshop is available.

THE PARKOrchid Tree Park is the land behind The Gallery/Workshop. The property is 3.5 acres that can park 7 RV’s with a 30/50 amp electrical connection. It is called the park also because the area has been com-pleted with lampposts and park benches with a pedestrian bridge that crosses the seasonal creek to a walking trail also complete with lamp-posts and benches.



Round Top State Bank•Traditional Banking Services

•Mortgage Lending•Home Equity

•ATM at each location•Commercial and Consumer

Online Banking

TOM BAKER INSURANCE AGENCYFull Service Agency Located at Round Top

State Bank - Tommy Baker III, AgentNot a Deposit. Not FDIC Insured.

Not Insured by any Federal Governmental Agency. Not Guaranteed by the Bank.

979-249-2126

• ROUND TOP301 N. Washington 979-249-3151

• GIDDINGS1442 E. Austin 979-542-7872

• JARRELL(Eagle Bank - a Branch of Round Top State Bank)12345 N. IH 35 512-746-2531

• LA GRANGE2010 Hwy. 71 West 979-966-0556

• LEXINGTON8681 St. Hwy. 77 979-773-2227

ROUND TOP STATE BANKINSURANCE AGENCY

Your local Germania Agent - Tim HuebnerNot a Deposit. Not FDIC Insured.

Not Insured by any Federal Governmental Agency.Not Guaranteed by the Bank.

Your Hometown Bank Since 1912 www.roundtopstatebank.com

EOEMember

FDIC

ROUND TOP FINANCIAL SERVICESFull Service Brokerage - Reece Cernoch, Broker

and Tom Baker III, BrokerSecurities and insurance products are not FDIC or NCUA insured, not bank or credit guaranteed, may lose value, not insured by any federal government agency, and not a bank or credit union deposit. Securities

and insurance products offered by LPL Financial and its affiliates, member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Financial and Round Top State Financial

Services are independent entities.

Rick Perry Building Six-Bedroom House Near Round Top


Governor Rick Perry is being coy about his plans once his current term ends early next year, but he has said he intends to stay active in public affairs.

“I’m not going to ride off into the sunset,” he told NBC News in an inter-view in Washington D.C. “I’m pretty sure I’m not going to go back to Paint Creek, Texas, and shut my doors.” Perry’s hometown Paint Creek is a tiny unincor-porated community near Abilene.

But he’s going to have to go some-where once his free rent at the Governor’s mansion in Austin expires and it may be to a tiny, incorporated community in Fay-ette County.

“James Richard Perry and wife Anita” have been granted a wastewater permit by Fayette County environmental inspector Bill Durst for a property we first reported

on last year which Perry purchased be-tween Round Top and Winedale.

The 10.5 acre property is permitted for a planned six-bedroom, 4,600 square foot house with a 1,400 square foot, two bedroom “carriage house.” Work is al-ready underway by Luedeker Construc-tion of Bellville.

Many political observers believe Perry is going to run for president again despite the debacle of his 2012 campaign with its notorious “oops” moment.

Remember when George W. Bush went out and bought a ranch so he could strike the proper Texas image when he ran for president?

Perry may be trying to play down his cowboy image to appeal to a broader audience. According to NBC News, the Guv is sporting new designer glasses and has given up cowboy boots for black wingtips.

Could Fayette County Be Home Base for 2016 Presidential Bid?

Rick Perry has made no secret of his affection for Round Top. He posted this picture of himself on his twitter account while awaiting the start of last year’s Fourth of July Parade in front of a Round Top bed and breakfast.


Country Property—an investment to enjoy!

Open 7 Days a Week

Whether buying or selling, call or stop by and let us show you why we have been in business over 25 years.

979.249.5732 101 Main Street ♦ Round Top, TX 78954

www.RoundTopRealEstate.com 979.249.5909 • 5507 HWY. 237 • WARRENTON

We're worth the drive! • Special Menu during Antique Show

SOUPS • SALADS • SANDWICHESHOMETOWN PIZZAS • BEER & WINE

Something Special is Always Cooking in our Kitchen!

FRIDAY - ALL YOU CAN EAT FISH FRYSUNDAY - PEEL & EAT SHRIMP

HOUSE SPECIALTY - BABY BACKY RIBS

It began as a dream. What it’s become is almost magical...

Who would dare to stand in a cow pas-ture in the heart of central Texas, and declare it to be the future site of one of the world’s greatest performance and learning centers? A young concert pianist from Hutchinson, Kansas by the name of James Dick. Over the next 40 years, he would guide the develop-ment of the Round Top Festival Institute and its campus, Festival Hill.

How did this internationally famous Center for Performance and Learning, situ-ated a half mile from the town square of Round Top Texas come to be? Perhaps be-cause of the music, the achitecture, the am-bience, the gardens, and the beauty of this magical place.

Something for everyone.The architectural styles and decorative

motifs offer something to appeal to every taste.The custom woodwork in the concert hall features musical lyres with Lone Stars in their centers. Other sites to see are the pharmacy garden, stone bridges and wood-ed areas, the plaza, the Big Barn and the Great Shed, the Edythe Bates Old Chapel, the Menke House and Clayton Houses, the David W. Guion Room and the Oxehufwud

Room. Take a guided tour and see it all.

If you dream, dream big.There were two dreams in James Dick’s

life. To create and grow Festival Hill and to become an internationally famous concert pianist. Both would come true. James Dick began his career by playing the triangle in his kindergarten classroom. Encouraged by his parents, he eventually, would study pi-ano with Dalies Frantz, a noted American pianist at the University of Texas at Aus-tin. After graduating with honors in piano, James received two back-to-back Fulbright Fellowships, and has received many honors, including the 2009 Texas Medal of Arts and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma mater. He also took top prizes at the Tchaikosky, Busoni and Leventritt Interna-tional Competitions. Besides his own con-cert career, James Dick had another burning passion. To establish a teaching institute. He recognized how important his teachers and mentors had been to him, and he wanted to pass this gift along to others.

Build it and they will come. Several locations were considered but,

ultimately, Round Top was chosen. Miss Ima Hogg was an early James Dick fan, and

Festival Hill A Treasure for Music-Lovers


The concert hall at Festival Hill in Round Top has to be seen to be believed.


Center for Performance & Learning

• Concerts• Conferences• Weddings• Forums• Retreats• Tours• Receptions• Photo Shoots

August-to-April:Year-Round Events

2014 Round Top Music FestivalJune 1 - July 13

(979) 249-3129www.FestivalHill.orgRound Top FesTival insTiTuTe

noted for her knowledge of historic homes, beauty, craftsmanship and gardens.

With Richard Royall – a recent Princeton and University of Texas Law School gradu-ate – as managing director, James started Round Top Festival Institute, the sole en-deavor of The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts. The effort to attract talented faculty, motivated students with professional aspirations, appreciative audi-ences, and philanthropic support began. The goal was to raise full scholarships for each participating young artist.

Bring your lawnchair.In the early years, piano-only perfor-

mances were held in rented space, with ten young artists studying and performing with the Institute for two weeks of the summer. Practice areas and lodging for students and faculty was provided in the homes of inter-ested neighbors throughout the nearby coun-try side, including the Round Top home of Miss Ima Hogg.

Location, location, location.While Round Top is tiny, its location

turned out to be the perfect place to build a dream. A place that provides year-round arts and humanities programs, houses museum and library collections, and continues with

its centerpiece project, the Summer Music Festival, now providing training and orches-tral performance opportunity to eighty-five young artists each summer.

Listen, look around you and look up.The pattern of a crystal plate, part of the

David W. Guion Collection given to Festival Hill, prompted the design for the concert hall ceiling. Helping this vision have been many philanthropists. Miss Ima Hogg, the Sid Richardson Foundation, and the Bass broth-ers. The William Lockhart Clayton House at Festival Hill is named for the man who draft-ed the Marshall Plan and part of an extended family of philanthropists who have provided significant, ongoing help to the Institute.

A many splendored thing.Water features are sprinkled across the

landscape, a counter to the Texas heat. Flags wave above the green representing the na-tionalities of the young artists present for the Summer Music Festival. Blooming plants attract hundreds of butterflies, while the acreage with garden space, water and bridg-es make a perfect setting for the special sym-phonic and chamber programs offered year round. Festival Hill truly is a special, place where everyone who loves music, art, and beautiful things has an opportunity to come marvel at what it means to be inquisitive. The exterior of the Festival Hill concert hall rises above the beautiful grounds around it.


Meet ‘Your Home Team’Peg RichardsonRealtor/AssociateEffective communicator, organized,dependable and trustworthyStrong computer and internet skillsLoves photography, entertaining anddecoratingMarried to KirkProud grandmother seven times

Sandy ReedBroker/AssociateExpertise in home building, restoration,remodeling and barn design/constructionExcellent communicator, problem solver,fun to work withMarried to TedAccomplished horse womanPassionate about animals and rescues freely

Betty MeltonBroker/AssociateHigh-energy, detailed, sincere, greatsense of humorBA/CommunicationsNative TexanMarried to RandyEnjoys working out, running, yoga, reading,gardening, and restoring my antique house

Part of the strength of the real estate partnership known in the Round Top area as ‘Your Home Team’ is the 35+ year friend-ship between partners Betty Melton, Peg Richardson and San-

dy Reed. The three friends formed ‘Your Home Team’ working with the leading real estate company serving a five-county area — Heri-tage Texas Country Properties. They specialize in farm and ranch, country properties, and home staging. These three savvy real estate pros share mutual respect and common professional philosophy. For your country real estate connection, this team’s experience and pro-fessionalism is, as the HTCP motto states, “simply better” ... just as it has been for years.

“We pride ourselves in providing our clients three times the experi-ence, three times the expertise, and three times the service that they would get with any single agent. Don’t Make A Move Without US!”

979-249-7584ILoveTheCountry.com



Join us for our Annual Events: Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance 4th of July Parade, BBQ & Dance Blasmusik – Free Concert (Aug 2nd)

Schützenfest Dance (Sept 21st )

OktoBierFest (Oct 25th)

New Year’s Eve Dance

Visit us at www.roundtoprifle.com for our history, pictures, and calendar of events.

Contact us at [email protected]

Our historic hall is available to

rent for your special event:

wedding receptions, reunions, or

any celebration you are planning.

The Round Top community has celebrated the Fourth of July every year since 1851. In fact, it’s known as the longest running Fourth of July celebration west of the Missis-sippi. The rest of the year, Round Top boasts an impressive population of 90 souls, many of German origin. But on the Fourth of July, our neighbors from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and everywhere in between travel into Round Top for a taste of an old-time, small-town Fourth.

The civil war-era cannon roars at 10:30 a.m., announcing the parade of handmade floats, antique cars and tractors, fire engines, trail riders and longhorn cattle. The parade circles Round Top square to the enthusiastic strains of Round Top’s own Brass Band. Children dart out for candy and trinkets while families and neighbors visit on the town square.

As the parade wraps up, everyone heads a few blocks down FM 1457 to the historic Round Top Rifle Hall. Association members have been up all night preparing mouthwa-tering brisket, pork, and sausage on the Hall’s huge wood fired pits. German style po-tatoes, green beans, fixin’s, and homemade desserts round out a delicious buffet lunch.

The afternoon continues with music, a raffle, and games for the kids until 4 p.m. when the local band sets up for the afternoon’s dance. Come join us for a fun-filled old fashioned Fourth!

That blasted cannon....Traditionally in Round Top, a cannon was fired as the official start of the July 4

celebration. In 1889, for some reason, the cannon did not fire. The President of the Ri-fle Association, John George Kaiser, bent over to inspect the cannon when it suddenly exploded. Mr. Kaiser was severely injured and died several days later from loss of blood and infection.

A replica cannon is now used for the start of the parade. It can be heard all over town.

Round Top has Oldest 4th of July Celebration in the West

The firing of the historic cannon on the town square in Round Top signals the start of the annual Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Jeff Wick

We’re Your Everyday Store, Plus A Whole Lot More!

Family Owned and Operated since 1984Michael & Jackie Sacks

438 North Washington Street (Highway 237) Round Top, TX

Phone (979) 249-3117 and Fax (979) 249-3168Email: [email protected] our website; Like us on facebook

•24-hour Pay-at-the-Pump Shell Gasoline & Diesel

•Authorized STIHL and BOB-CAT (Zero Turn Mowers) dealer

•On-site Small Engine Repair

•Fresh made sandwiches w/ Boar’s Head Meats & Cheeses

•Full Service Hardware & Farm & Ranch Supply

•Full Grocery and Gourmet Food Selection

•Extensive Imported Beer & Wine Selection

•Fresh Meat: Beef, Pork & Chicken

•ACCO and FORAGE STAR feeds

•Party Trays

Hours:Monday to Saturday - 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Sunday - 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.



The Round Top Mercantile Company, which has anchored the commercial sector of the northern Fayette County town for 30 years, is undergoing a $1.1 million expan-sion, according to founders, Ronny and Bettye Sacks and new owners, Michael and Jackie Sacks.

It’s all about keeping a successful enter-prise growing, as well as “all in the family.”

Bettye has managed the business from the start, while Ronny, a Round Top native, stayed busy at the Round Top State Bank of which he is now president.

“I was 30 when we started it and now I am handing it off to Jackie, who is 30,” Bet-tye Sacks pointed out at the official ground-breaking ceremony Monday afternoon. Son Michael and daughter-in-law Jackie will own and operate the expanded enterprise – they have both been in on-the-job training for several years.

The Merc, as it’s called by locals, has ex-panded its offerings over the years to meet the needs of a historic agricultural commu-nity which was changing into a famed cul-tural center and “tourist town.”

As the older, more diverse business community became dominated by bou-tiques, bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants, the Merc picked up the slack and provided one-stop shopping to locals, newcomers, weekenders, antiquers and folks just pass-ing through. It’s a general store in the best sense providing groceries, beer and wine, hardware and plumbing goods, feed and ag-ricultural supplies. The original 2400 square

feet grew to the current 9000 over the years, but the new addition will more than double the available retail space to 20,000. When they started the business back in 1984, there were doubters, Ronny Sacks recalled. “The locals told us we’d never make it,” he said with a chuckle.” After all, there was already another general store in this town with a population of less than 100. But the Sacks’ vision for an updated and expanded version of the traditional country general store proved to be a sound bet. “It’s lucky we started it when we did (with $75,000 in capital,)” Ronny Sacks said. “considering what things cost today.”

How are they going to fill all that extra room?

“There will be a showroom for our out-door equipment – mowers and chain-saws – expanded stock of all kinds and more warehouse room for inventory,” Bettye said. The deli section (the Merc is known for its made-to-order sandwiches and soups) will be relocated and expanded. Meat, fresh-cut in-house, will be another new feature. A walk-in cooler will augment the impressive variety of local and imported beers (mostly German.)

Local builder Chris Travis designed the new facade in accordance with the Round Top land use ordinance which stipulates the retention of original external design elements. The front of the new section replicates the appearance of the original building to create a symmetrical structure with an intervening earlier addition. Ronny Sacks said the business will stay open dur-ing the expansion.

Round Top’s General Store is Expanding

Round Top Mercantile co-founder Ronny Sacks shows off plans for the $1.1 million ex-pansion of the general store which has anchored the commercial sector of the town for 30 years.

Photo by H.H. Howze


La Grange – A Place for All Seasons

This is the La Grange skyline, the bluff that overlooks the city, carved by the mighty Colorado River. Photo by Russell Bennett

The lights on the historic Kreische house invite visitors to the annual Monument Hill Trail of Lights at the state park in La Grange. Photo by Bryan Frazier

La Grange – the largest town in Fayette County with a population about 6,000, and also the county seat – is inviting any time of year.

In the spring folks flock to see the bluebonnets.Summertime, campers come by the thousands.In the fall, La Grange is the home-base for many of the

antique vendors and shoppers that flock to the markets in the northern part of the county.

In winter, it seems you can’t throw a candy-cane without

hitting some sort of Christmas-themed event, always kicked off by everyone’s favorite wassail-guzzling event, Schmeck-enfest in early December.

That festival is put on by La Grange Main Street, which actually hosts a big downtown event every month out of the year, including such crowd pleasers as Trick-or-Treat on the Square every Halloween and the La Grange Uncorked wine and food fest every March.

For museum goers, La Grange is home to The Texas

Quilt Museum and the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center.

Many people explore all Fayette County has to offer and use La Grange as their home-base because it’s got things like a massive HEB and Walmart SuperCenter but also the charm of a thriving downtown filled with shops and restau-rants.

See why La Grange is so special in the next several pag-es of this guide.

Internet Cafe

TM

Cafe DobréBurgers, Soups, Sandwiches,Salads & Southern FavoritesTues.-Sat. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; 5-9 p.m.Sunday Brunch 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.235 W. Travis St.(979) 968-9200

Man’s D&Z ShopMen’s Wear, Western Wear,Tuxedo RentalsMon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.245 W. Travis St.(979) 968-3652

Richard SchmidtJewelry Design“Jewelry with Soul”Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Sat 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.118 N. Washington St.(979) 968-5149www.richardschmidtjewelry.com

Le Petite GourmetBakeware, Spices, Teas & Coffees, Bridal Registries & Much MoreMon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Sat.10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 12:30-4:30 p.m.226 W. Colorado St.(979) 968-4000www.lepetitegourmetshoppe.com

Urban NestLet Us Feather Your Nest“Fine Furnishings foryour Heart and Home”Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.148 N. Washington St.(979) 966-0111

Cottage GatheringsServing up Helpings of FabulousFrou-Frou - Southern, Hippy, ClassyMon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.152 N. Washington St.(979) 966-0555

Heritage HallmarkCards, Gifts & CollectiblesMon.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Sun. 12:30-4:30 p.m.240 W. Colorado St.(979) 968-8555

The Mustard SeedApparel, Jewelry,& Whimsical ItemsTues.-Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.142 N. Washington St.(979) 968-2794

Tara’s BoutiqueJuniors, Misses, Plus SizesJewelry, Handbags, ShoesAccessories & So Much MoreMon.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.123 N. Main St.(979) 968-3900

Hart LandReal EstateResidential Homes, CountryProperties & Commercial104 S. Main St. (979) 968-3892hartlandrealestate.com

Lukas BakeryHomestyle Bread, Pastries,Pigs in the Blanket, Doughnuts, Kolaches & CookiesMon.-Sat. 5 a.m. - 1 p.m. 135 N. Main St.(979) 968-3052

D&G Office ProductsUsed Office Furniture, Trophies,Printing, Engraving, Copies, Faxing256 W. Colorado St.(979) [email protected]

Heritage TexasCountry PropertiesAcreage, Commercial,Residential, Lots103 N. Main St.(979) 968-5300www.HeritageTexasCountry.com

La Grange M-K-TRailroad DepotReal & Model Trains, Photos& Hands on ExhibitsSat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.260 N. Washington St.(979) 968-5756

Julie BClothing, Jewelry, AccessoriesGifts, Home Decor134 N. Washington St.(979) 639-5034

Latte La GrangeLattes, Panini’s,Desserts & SmilesMon.-Fri. 7a.m. - 6 p.m.Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.219 W Travis St.(979) 968-9545www.latteonthesquare.com

Salon EnvyHair Cuts & Color, Facials,Waxing & Shellac Manicures Tues.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.Sat 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.103 N. Main St., Ste. 300(979) 968-6450

The Quilted SkeinQuilting, Knitting,Crochet, EmbroideryWed.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 12 - 4 p.m.126 W. Colorado St.(979) 968-8200www.thequiltedskein.com

The RoastaurantFresh Roasted CoffeeSat. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.107 W. Colorado St.(979) 702-1435www.theroastaurant.com

Hengst PrintingSchool Spirit Items,Promotional Items & MoreMon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.155 W Travis St.(979) 968-8336www.hengstprinting.com

Flair & CompanyCollectibles, Home Decor,Women’s Apparel & Much More239 W. Travis St.(979) 968-6860

Eat. Shop.Experience...

Visitors Guide 2014-201560 2014-2015 Visitors Guide 61


By ELAINE THOMAS Special to the Record

“If you’re interested in produce so fresh that it was in the garden 24 hours ago, visit our centrally located, weekly farmers mar-ket and buy directly from the vendors who grew it,” says La Grange Main Street & Tourism Manager Stacey Norris.

On Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., early birds get the best selection at the La Grange Farmers Market set up at the Fayette County Courthouse Square. Sponsored by the City of La Grange’s Main Street Program, the market is virtually open year round, weather permitting.

While locally grown vegetables and fruit are a huge draw, baked goods, yard eggs, plants and trees, handmade crafts, nuts, herbs, canned pickles, jams, jellies, salsas and other specialty preserves are plentiful. You may even be invited to take a taste test before you buy certain foods.

While chain grocery stores source pro-duce grown in other climates and soils, lo-

cal farmers offer what is in season in this climate. Besides, you can meet the person who grows the food for your dinner. Local farmers also grow food products and varie-ties that are hard to find such as dinosaur kale, dewberries, cheddar cauliflower, kohl-rabi, scallop squash, cream peas, chiltepin pepper (the native Texas hot pepper), native pecans, grapes, plums and elephant garlic.

“I love talking with customers and the other vendors,” says Joni Ennis, who sells garden produce, canned goods and yard eggs. The only vendor who carries freshly baked items every week, Joni constantly coaxes her customers to step out of their taste comfort zones to try different home-made breads such as challah, Wisconsin cheddar and deli-style rye. Soon, she plans to offer homemade soap to the varied selec-tion at her stall.

“The La Grange Farmers Market gives me the opportunity to sell my extra garden produce and encourages customers to try healthy, locally-sourced foods. I’m con-

stantly learning, too, because customers and the other vendors are very willing to share their knowledge,” Joni says.

Carolyn Lehmann plants approximately 30 different kinds of vegetables each year. She also grows strawberries, native pecans, peanuts, dried produce such as tomatoes and herbs, pickled products, as well as veg-etable and herb seedlings.

“Since I grow about 20 times more veg-etables than I can eat, I sell my prime grade products on Saturdays here in La Grange. Customers tell me they like my products be-cause they are freshly picked, taste delicious and are very clean,” she says.

“My favorite question is “What is this?” That gives me an opportunity to educate a customer about a vegetable I’ve grown and provide some ideas on how to prepare it,” Carolyn adds. “For me, education is really important because an educated customer is more likely to make a purchase and come back to see me at the market in the future. I always ask customers how they prepare

vegetables, too, because I get great recipe ideas that way. Customers’ hints, ideas and remedies are really interesting.”

For local customer Lisa Corker, visiting the La Grange Farmers Market is an early Saturday morning ritual.

“In recent years, my husband, Michael, and I have been trying to eat real food that’s not highly processed. Since I never ate veg-gies as a kid, it has been fun learning about new foods and trying new recipes. In the winter when kale, cauliflower, collards and broccoli are plentiful, we like to roast the leaves in a 425-degree oven with a little ol-ive oil, plus salt and pepper. This makes a very tasty, healthy snack,” Lisa explains.

Come out, join the fun and when you’re finished shopping at the La Grange Farm-ers Market, head for the Fayette County Courthouse for a personal tour of the his-toric structure.

For more information about the La Grange Farmers Market, contact Stacey Norris at (979) 968-8701.

Saturday morning, drop by the La Grange Farmers Market on the Fayette County Courthouse Square to see what produce local gardeners have in season, in addition to homegrown herbs, plants and trees, and fresh yard eggs. Don’t leave before checking the wide array of tasty homemade breads and pies, plus delicious pickles, salsas and preserves sold by the vendors who make them. Photo by Elaine Thomas

Farmers Market Year-Round in LG


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By MICHAEL BATESSpecial to the Record

Ray Wylie Hubbard says, “the Bugle Boy in La Grange is listening heaven.”

When the Bugle Boy opened it’s doors in 2005, nobody gave it a snowball’s chance.

Off the beaten path, too small a town to support inde-pendent artists, too far from population centers were a few of the opinions offered.

Over 1,000 performances later and in it’s tenth musical season, the little 80 seat venue has taken it’s place as one of the premier listening rooms in the country.

Housed in a WWII surplus army barracks originally lo-cated at Camp Swift Infantry Base in Bastrop, Texas, the Bugle Boy is dedicated to providing original, independent singer/songwriters of many genres a place to practice their art with the undivided attention of their audience and pro-viding audiences a unique listening experience.

According to Bugle Boy founder Lane Gosnay, the room has great audio characteristics and a state of the art sound system, but that’s only part of what makes a great listening room.

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“I think what makes a great listening room is staying true to the rules of a listen-ing room. Making sure people are afforded the opportunity to listen with no distractions and artists can perform without competing with cell phones and ambient noise.”

Gosnay also stresses that the audience is as important as the music and it shows.

“The acoustics are better than any other place I go,” says Dave Kelly. “And Lane and her group of volunteers have done a fabulous job of making the fans who walk through the door feel welcome.”

Artists as diverse as Ray Wylie Hub-bard, Gretchen Peters, Butch Hancock, Marcia Ball, Red Molly, Janis Ian, Hayes Carll, Ezra Charles, the Trishas, Kinky Friedman, Steven Fromholz, Max Gomez, Eliza Gilkyson, Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Carolyn Wonderland have journeyed to La Grange to grace the stage.

Musicians and audiences agree that the room provides an unique opportunity to fo-cus solely on the music.

“The room makes you play differently,” said Ruben V. His blend of blues, rock, Latin and soul has made him a fixture on the Tex-as music scene.

“There are not enough places like this.

Every nuance of the music comes across. Playing in this room is as close to having my audience hear the music the way I hear it in my head as any place I’ve played.”

Audiences seem to agree. “The Bugle Boy is night and day dif-

ferent from my earlier music experiences,” says Suzanne Smith, a patron donor to the Bugle Boy.

“My typical experience at most other music venues was one of distraction whether it be conversation, service personnel bring-ing food or drink, pool tables, television in the background, people moving around and/or celebratory hollering.”

Smith added, “one comes (to the Bugle Boy) expecting to give total attention to the performing artist…we give our full atten-tion to the artist and in turn they give us the gift of their music.”

Wendy Wentworth adds, “it’s intimate without being crowded or stuffy. I like the proximity to the performers, I like interact-ing with them on break and buying their product and getting to know them better.”

Jana Pochop is a booking agent, consult-ant, tour manager and musician herself.

“My first time there it became obvious it was a special place ... from the attentiveness of the volunteer staff to the sound to the pa-

trons who were all listening!” she said.“The Bugle Boy is a gem because it is

set up in a way where it’s mission to support artists and music is not hindered by things that other venues have to deal with, like al-cohol sales and cramming people into the room. It is a level above many live music experiences and is a treasure!”

Susan Gibson won CMA Songwriter of the year honors for writing the Dixie Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces.

“I think of The Bugle Boy as being a cultural center as much as a music venue be-cause they do things like the film viewing, live streaming shows and Soldier Songs,“ She said. “It’s so much more than a listening room ... But it’s a great listening room.”

The venue also partners with concer-twindow.com to stream most shows live on the internet, expanding the room’s listener base world wide.

Val Rader, of Fairbanks, Alaska, is a fan of the live stream web casts.

“Having two cameras and great audio makes BB one of the best live streaming venues. And they have nice hospitality in the chat room during the web casts,” he said.

The Bugle Boy is operated by the Bugle Boy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit or-ganization with the mission of elevating and sustaining original live music.

The listening room operates largely with a volunteer staff and volunteer board of di-rectors that oversees fundraising and finan-cial stewardship.

Former president of The Bugle Boy board of directors David Vogel remembers, “We first checked out The Bugle Boy when we saw Eliza Gilkyson’s name on the mar-quee. Thought this place must be something special. We were right. All these years later, it still is.”

In addition to the listening room, the Foundation also sponsors educational pro-grams to bring creative arts and music to rural Texas schools, offers an independent film series, screening relevant independent films for rural audiences, and serves as a local chapter of Soldier Songs, giving vet-erans of our Armed Services free music les-sons and an outlet for creative expression.

The Bugle Boy Talent Trust funds studio CD production for outstanding emerging artists. John Fullbright, the 2012 Bugle Boy Talent Trust recipient, earned a Grammy nomination for his album, From the Ground up, partially funded by the Trust.

Other Talent Trust winners include Eliz-abeth Wills, Kat Edmonson and 2013 win-ner Woody Russell.

“The Bugle Boy, for me personally, has been that singular, exceptional venue in my own career,” Russell said. “It is first on my list when I draw comparisons to other con-cert venues.”

Gosnay says the Bugle Boy is not resting on it’s laurels.

In addition to expanding and nourishing the music and musician, Gosnay has other plans.

“It’ll be a step-by-step process but I want to dig our roots deeper in the community with our school music programs, Soldier Songs program, bringing music to shut-ins and nursing homes,” she said.

With a storied past and a bright future, the Bugle Boy has much to offer music lov-ers. Perhaps Suzanne Smith sums it up best.

“Light filling my heart sustains me. Music does that for me – total submersion in music; the Bugle Boy gives that gift to me every time I come. After an evening at the Bugle Boy, I am reaffirmed of the joy, good-ness and happiness that life offers us all.”

La Grange’s Bugle Boy serves as a local chapter of Soldier Songs, giving veterans of our Armed Services free music lessons and an outlet for creative expression.

‘The acoustics (at the Bugle Boy) are better than any other’ Continued from previous page

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A partial list of our annual events:

MARCHBrushes and Brews, March 28, 6-9 p.m. ARTS for Rural Texas - Enjoy a night of crea-

tive expression! Live Live Creatively. Flatonia Spring Market Day with Texas Independence Relay, March 29, arts and crafts

show, 2500 runners in the Texas Independence Relay.

APRILSchulenburg 1st Annual Sausage Fest, April 5, Noon - 9 p.m. Sausage Making Con-

test. Live Music in the street, antique tractor show, childrens activities. Free Admission Antiques Festival in Round Top and surrounding communities. Nationally recognized

as one of the largest antiques markets in America, drawing thousands of dealers to tents, fields and buildings from Fayetteville to Burton. Continues through first full weekend of April (and Octorber).

BP MS-150. A two day, 150-mile bicycle journey from Houston to Austin to raise money for the fight against MS. This is the largest event of its kind in North America. Rid-ers spend Saturday night at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in La Grange. Day Two starts at the fairgrounds and ends at the State Capitol. April 12-13.

11th Annual Poetry Forum, Festival Hill, April 11-13.Flatonia Crawfest. Crawfish, shrimp and more, music and dancing at American Le-

gion Hall April 12.

MAYArt Walk, sponsored by Arts for Rural Texas. Fayetteville Square, May 3-4.Round Top’s Spring Wine Fest, May 10, This year’s festival features merchants of Bybee

Square, Henkel Square, Town Squar and numerous other venues located around Round Top. Live Entertainment will be provided from 2-10 p.m. on the Bybee Square Patio.

May Fest (Slavnost) at Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. A tribute to the immigrants. Meal, Live Music, Car Show. May 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 for the meal. Free Admission

Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival. Great classical masterworks performed by inter-national performers at the historic Country Place Hotel on the Fayetteville square. May 9-10, 16-17.

Tomato Festival, Ellinger. Last Sunday in May.Annual Memorial Day ceremony, 10 a.m. May 26. Koenig & Strickland Funeral

Home, La Grange.

JUNEGood Old Summertime Classic Bike Ride First Sunday in June, Starts in Historic Fay-

etteville Town Square, The event is a fully supported ride with distances ranging from 25 to 65 miles followed by a BBQ lunch.

Main Street Flag Day celebration, June 14. Courthouse Square, La Grange.

Event-FullNo matter the time of year, you can find

a festival to interest you here in Fayette County

The Texas Heroes Day celebration is held every September at Monument Hill State Park in La Grange. The 2014 Heroes Day is set for Sept 20.

Photo by Jeff Wick


Juneteenth Parade & Celebration, June 19-20, always the weekend nearest June 19, La Grange

Flatonia Freedom Fest, June 28, 11a.m. Patriotic Parade, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Arts & Crafts, Wing Fling Cookoff.

Opening Concert, in the 1,000-seat Concert Hall at Round Top for the 43rd annual summer Festival-Institute for classical music students. Public concerts June 7-July 12.

JULYRound Top 4th of July Parade, oldest continuous Independence Day parade west of

the Mississippi River. Fayetteville City Wide Garage Sale, Second Weekend of July, 7 a.m. Maps showing

the locations of the garage sales will be available for treasure hunters on the Courthouse’s front steps starting at 7 a.m.

Schulenburg Festival, the “National Party of Texas.” Three big days of live music and fun. Wolters Park, July 31-Aug 3. Plus rodeo preceding the festival.

AUGUSTBlasmusik Texas Concert Aug. 2, Round Top Rifle Association HallFayette County Sheriff’s Posse Bull Riding and Rodeo Event, Sheriff’s Posse Arena, La

Grange, August 8-10.Fayette County Fair, La Grange, always Labor Day weekend. Music, dances, livestock

shows, home ec exhibits, cookoffs, softball tournament. Aug. 28-31.

SEPTEMBERTexas Heroes Day Pre-Event, Sept 19, 6:30 p.m., Fayette Public LibraryTexas Heroes Day, Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, La Grange.

Sept. 20. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Admission.Schutzenfest, Sept. 20, Henkel Hall - Henkel Square MarketFayetteville Antiques on the Square, Sept. 25 with Auction Sept. 29, Fayettevilles His-

toric Town Square.

OCTOBERHeritage Fest & Muziky, Oct. 17 Octoberfest on the Deck 6-10 p.m., Oct. 18 - Biegar-

ten with music, heritage demonstrations, craft venders, antique farm equipment show & antique car show, museum and village tours, Muziky, Muziky in the Amphitheater til 10 p.m.

Fall Antiques Festival in Round Top and surrounding communities. Nationally recog-nized as one of the largest antiques events in America, drawing thousands of dealers to tents, fields and buildings from Fayetteville to Burton. Late Sept. through early October.

Czhilispiel, Flatonia. One of the oldest and biggest chili cookoffs in Texas. Every fourth full weekend of October. Three days of live music, dancing and lots of chili. Oct. 24-26

OktoBierFest, Oct. 25, Round Top Rifle Association HallLickskillet Festival, Fayetteville. Polka music, barbecue cookoff, street dance, parade,

queen’s pageant. Oct. 18-19.Trick-or-Treat on the La Grange Square, Oct. 31, 4 p.m. Free trick-or-treating for chil-

dren in daylight hours around the courthouse square. Date varies.

La Grange Main Street hosts an annual Flag Day celebration on the courthouse lawn.Photo by H.H. Howze

Event Calendar continued on next page


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NOVEMBERSchulenburg Holiday Arts & Crafts Show, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Arts & CraftsPraha Veterans’ Day Events, The southern Fayette County community of Praha lost

nine of its own in battles in World War II, even though the town itself has less than 100 residents. Every year on the Sunday before Veterans Day (this year its Nov. 9) Honoring all Veterans of all wars! At Praha Cemetery; Itinerary: Praha Church 9:30 a.m. – mass to be offered for all Veterans; Assembly – 10:30 a.m.; Veterans Memorial Service – 11:00 a.m.; Flyover by commemorative air force – 12:05 p.m.; Sponsored by Praha Veterans Club and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 870; Praha Style Fried Chicken Dinner with all the trimmings: Adults – $8, Children $4; Serving starts at 11:30 a.m.

DECEMBERSchmeckenfest, La Grange’s Old World Christmas celebration on the courthouse

square. Sample wassail from participating merchants. German dancing, bell choirs, car-olling, booths. Dec. 4, 5 p.m.

Flatonia C of C Wonderful Winter Winewalk. Dec. 5, 5-9 p.m.Schulenburg Lighted Christmas Parade, Dec. 5, 6 p.m.Trail of Lights, Dec. 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20, 6-8 p.m. Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery

State Historic Sites, La Grange. Admission fee required. Texas Czech Christmas Open House. Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-4p.m.Fayetteville Country Christmas & Historical Homes Tour, Second Saturday of De-

cember. Fayetteville is designated on the National Register of Historic Towns with over 400 structures on the list. Once a year, during Country Christmas, Fayetteville’s Chamber of Commerce hosts their Homes Tour and invites residents and visitors to have an inside look at some of these unique structures. The Ringing of the Church Bells and Lighting of the Luminaries surrounding the Courthouse set the scene for the horse drawn carriage rides. Tours take the curious and romantic alike about town, showcasing Fayetteville’s unique architecture and Christmas lights.

FEBRUARYValentines Dinner & Concert, Feb 14, 4-9 p.m. Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural

Center, Formal attire, featuring local wines & cuisine. Pre-sale tickets.Best Little Quilt Show in Texas, Quilt extravaganza at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.

Last Friday and Saturday in February 21 & 22.

MARCHBest Little Cowboy Gathering in Texas, March 13-16, always the second full weekend

in March, Fayette County Fairgrounds, La Grange. Chuckwagon exhibits, Western trade show, Horse Clinic, BBQ Cookoff, Cowgirl’s Ball, children’s activities, cowboy poetry and Story Tellin’.

Schulenburg Wine Walk, March 14, 2015 4-7 p.m. and dance 8:30-11:30 p.m.La Grange Uncorked, Third Saturday in March, Courthouse Square, Wine and food

festival. March 21, 2015

Fayette County’s Annual Events

La Grange’s Trick-or-Treat on the Square draws hundreds of kids downtown every Hal-loween as merchants hand out candy.


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By LOUANN ADCOXFayette County Record

The La Grange M-K-T (Katy) Rail-road Depot is located at its original site adjacent to the tracks at the intersec-tion of North Washington and Lafayette Streets.

The building has waiting rooms, an office and a freight area that was com-pleted in November 1897 by the Taylor, Bastrop and Houston Railway Company to replace the town’s first station, which burned in March of that year.

The TB&H was soon taken over by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad.

Passenger service continued until the 1950’s and the depot received and dis-patched freight as late as the 1970’s.

The museum exhibits include the original pot-belly stove, M-K-T safe, and stationmaster’s desk, plus additional his-toric photographs and a gold headed can presented to James Converse in 1880 in appreciation of his successful efforts to bring a railroad to La Grange.

There are also hands on exhibits for both adults and children. The museum opened on April 29, 2006.

The museum is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Depot Museum a Jewel of Preservation in Downtown La GrangePhoto by Russell Bennett

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By ELAINE THOMASSpecial to the Record

Emergency medical care that compares favora-bly to major city hospitals is available in the Central Tex-as area at St. Mark’s Medi-cal Center in La Grange.

“You really will be in good hands at St. Mark’s Medical Center,” says President and Chief Execu-tive Officer Shane Kernell. “Our team of excellent, highly skilled physicians and our caring, dedicated staff strive to deliver top quality care at a modern, well-equipped hospital that is state-of-the-art in many respects.”

Primarily serving the residents of Fayette and Lee Counties, St. Mark’s Medical Center is a 65-bed, 100,000-square foot

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not-for-profit hospital that opened in 2005. The hospi-tal is located 2.3 miles north on Hwy. 77 of the Fayette County Courthouse in La Grange. Signage directs the public to the emergency de-partment entrance located on the north side of the medical campus. The hos-pital’s main number is (979) 242-2200.

St. Mark’s Medical Center’s emergency depart-ment is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a medical team specifically trained and available to han-dle any kind of emergency. That team is comprised of the medical director who is Board Certified in Emer-gency Medicine and a nurs-ing staff, who are trained in Emergency Nursing includ-ing pediatric care.

A multi-disciplinary team consisting of lo-cal, county and statewide services provides rapid response to any critically injured patient. The hos-pital has strong relation-ships with all the healthcare agencies in the community including ambulance ser-vices and an air-transport service, which is conveni-ently located on the hospital campus. St. Mark’s Medi-cal Center has two rooms



THE BUGLE BOY offers a wide variety of concerts of Ameri-can Roots music by regional, national, and international, inde-pendent artists, performing original works that include blues, folk, jazz, rock, swing, country, western, and singer/songwrit-ers. We serve coffees, espresso, milkshakes, wine and beer.

Concerts are sponsored by the Bugle Boy Foundation

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For Informationand Tickets:

1051 N. Jefferson (US 77 N) La Grange, Texas 979-968-9944

“It’s hard to name it and it has nothing to do with its size.….but some rooms have it and some rooms don’t...The Bugle Boy has got it.”

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designated specifically for patients arriving in the Emergency Department with chest pain.

The laboratory at St. Mark’s Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of tests onsite to support its physicians, as well as other hospitals and healthcare entities. The lab services are fully accredited by COLA, the premier independent clinical laboratory education, consultation, and accreditation organization, with proficiency testing moni-tored by the American Proficiency Institute. Consulting pathologists are Board Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology with subspecialties in cytopathology, dermatopa-thology and hematopathology.

Should hospitalization be necessary, amenities include a window in each patient room, wall mounted plasma TVs and Wi-Fi.

A Level IV Trauma Designated Facil-ity, St. Mark’s Medical Center has met and maintained the standards directed by the Texas Department of State and Health Services. This level of care provides initial evaluation, stabilization, diagnostic, surgery and critical-care services, plus transfer to a higher level of care, if necessary.

St. Mark’s medical staff does not per-form levels of care such as major vascular or heart procedures or brain surgery. Pa-tients who require the highest level of acute care are most frequently referred to the local hospital’s affiliate, St. David’s HealthCare in Austin.

“It’s extremely beneficial for St. Mark’s Medical Center to be affiliated with St. Da-vid’s, one of the largest, most highly regard-ed health systems in Texas,” Kernell says. “St. David’s has an outstanding reputation

for managing very complex health issues, especially in emergency situations.”

With a population base of approxi-mately 50,000, St. Mark’s Medical Center is located in a largely rural area that includes a number of towns and several small cit-ies. Certain services that St. Mark’s takes great pride in providing are excellent ob-stetrics-gynecology care, as well as expert orthopedic procedures such as hip and knee replacements. These are rarely available in rural hospitals.

“We see opportunities to expand St. Mark’s Medical Center’s orthopedic care to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports in-juries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders. Our spe-cialists in orthopedic care are outstanding and our hospital’s sophisticated diagnostic imaging equipment enables us to perform diagnostics quickly and efficiently. St. Mark Medical Center’s multi-slice CT and MRI equipment make that possible,” Kernell ex-plains.

In addition, physical therapy delivered by highly trained personnel is readily availa-ble at the hospital. Thus, each of our patients can receive a complete circle of care. If they arrived at our Emergency Department, we can address all their needs, including re-habilitation. This is especially important to area rural residents, who greatly value re-ceiving excellent healthcare in the commu-nity where they live rather than driving to Austin, Houston or San Antonio.

“Our mission is to provide quality, com-passionate healthcare and promote wellness for our community through modern tech-nology, delivered by caring professionals,” Kernell adds. “Should you ever need us, we’ll be there to help you.”

St. Mark’s is Big-City Medical Center in a Small Town SettingContinued from previous page


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Seeking genealogical information? Check with the extensive records in the Fayette Heritage Museum Archives.

Are you a railroad buff? Visit the La Grange Depot Museum or in Flatonia, the Flatonia Rail Park and Central Tex-as Rail History Center.

Music and decorative arts your thing? The International Festival Institute Li-brary and Museum near Round Top will ring your bell.

Does architecture of the 19th centu-ry appeal? Go to Winedale near Round Top, Henkel Square on the Round Top square, the Faison House, Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center and Old Fayette County Jail in La Grange plus the Kreische Home on Monument Hill to tour restored and furnished homes and buildings. (Or just look around you at the wonderful 100-year-old-plus homes folks are still living in all over the coun-ty.)

Interested in local, county and Texas settlement history? Try the Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum, Round Top Historical Society and E.A. Arnim Ar-chive and Museum (Flatonia).

Model airplanes? The Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum in Schulenburg.

In short, there is a museum in our county for almost anyone’s interest. Just check out the times, fees and directions below.

Central Texas Rail History Museum: Artifacts, photos and documents. 104 E. South Main, Flatonia Sat. 1-3 p.m. or by appointment. (361) 865-3003.

La Grange Depot Museum: History of MKT (Katy) Railroad & Southern Pacific Rail service. Artifacts and original furnish-ings. Active track right outsider! Washing-ton and Lafayette Sts., La Grange Phone: (979) 968-9416 or (979) 968-5756 E-mail: [email protected] Open: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Old Fayette County Jail: Law enforce-ment history in Fayette County from its beginnings in 1883. See a remaining jail cell from the first jail. 171 South Main, La Grange. Phone: (800) 524-7264 E-mail: [email protected] Open: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and weekends until 5 p.m..

Fayette County Filled With Museums – From Railroads to Model Planes

The old Fayette County jail now serves at a visitors center in downtown La Grange. It is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat-urday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

Photo by Russell Bennett

Museum listings continued on next page


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Round Top Historical Society: Memora-bilia, historical books, records and geneal-ogy. 397 E. Mill Street, Round Top. E-mail: [email protected] Open: Friday-Saturday, 12 - 3 p.m., or by appointment (979) 249-5058.

Texas Quilt Museum: Opened in Nov, 2011, features some of the most stunning quilts ever made by Texans. 140 W. Colo-rado St. in La Grange. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. (979) 968-3104.

Czech Music Museum of Texas: Opened in 2012, focuses on different va-rieties of Czech Music (Polka, Folk, Re-ligious and Classical). Located next to the Czech Heritage and Cultural Center north of La Grange on Highway 77 by the fair-grounds. 1-888-785-4500. Hours vary.

Festival Institute, Library & Museum: American furniture, china, paintings, mu-sic and archives of Texas composer David R. Guion; the Anders Gustav Fredrick & Josephine Oxehufwund Collection of three centuries of Swedish Decorative Arts.

Dedicated to music, arts and humanities. Preserves rare books, manuscripts, pho-tographs, recordings and art; the personal library of former Texas State Librarian, Dr. Dorman Winfrey. Concert hall built by local craftsmen. Performances by interna-tional artists and musicians. 248 Jaster Rd. off State Highway 237, Round Top. Phone: (979) 249-3129 Web: www.festivalhill.org E-mail: [email protected] Open: By appointment, Mondays-Fridays.

Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Park: Remains of the early brewery and monument to the men of the 1842 Dawson Mier Expedition who drew the “black beans of death” after their capture by the Mexican Army at Salado Creek. See an outstanding view of downtown La Grange and the Colorado River. A Texas Heroes Day is held at Monument Hill every September featuring re-enactors and guest speakers. 414 State Loop 92 off U.S. 77 (on the bluff) Phone: (979) 968-5658 Open every day but Christmas 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Call for tour information.

Texas Polka Museum: Opened in April 2010, this museum is located at 625 North Main in downtown Schulenburg, across the

street from the Chamber of Commerce. It features exhibits of instruments, pictures, costumes, and music of Texas polka bands. For more information call (979) 743-4752. Website: www.texaspolkamuseum.com

Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum: The history of the Stanzel brothers’ role in the development of fly-by-wire model air-planes. See the “Barn” where the early work was done by the Stanzels. 311 Baumgar-ten St., Schulenburg (Off U.S. 77). Phone: (979) 743-6559 Web: www.stanzelmuseum.org E-mail: [email protected] Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. (Admission fee required).

Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum:

History of Fayetteville area. Collection of the Teddy Schultz model trains & rail-roads. 117 N. Washington on the Square in Fayetteville Phone: (979) 378-2742, (979) 378-2378 Open: Friday and Sunday, 2 - 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - noon, 2 - 4 p.m.

Flatonia Rail Park: Southern Pacific Tower #3 and Southern Pacific Caboose #4743 (open by appointment); covered railroad photo pavilion (open 24/7). Main Street at Railroad Tracks Phone: (979) 743-5366 E-mail: [email protected].

Fayette Heritage Museum Archives: Ro-tating displays on Fayette County history. Extensive collection of county genealogy, microfilmed publications, local documents, photographs and data from the early 1800s. 855 South Jefferson, La Grange. Phone: (979) 968-6418 E-mail: [email protected] Open: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.

Mt. Olive Museum & Cultural Center: History of the Armstrong Colony, an early settlement of freed slaves. The building was a school during segregation. Records

of slave transactions. 835 Armstrong Derry Rd., Waelder (Gonzales County) Phone: (361) 865-2902 Open: Friday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 - 3 p.m. Call for special tour.

E.A. Arnim Archives & Museum: Arti-facts dating from the founding of Flatonia in 1873. New 3,000-square foot veterans museum. Out back is a livery stable with wagons, buggies, vintage tack and farm implements. 101 E. North Main, Flatonia Phone: (361) 865-3455 E-mail: [email protected]; Open: Thursday-Friday, 1 - 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and by appointment.

Henkel Square: A circle of restored pio-neer buildings from all over the county, now containing shops. On the square in Round Top; www.texaspioneerarts.com.

Texas Basketball Museum: A treasury of Texas basketball memorabilia ranging from Shaquille O’Neal’s high school jer-sey to early basketballs and scoreboards. It opened in 2009. A Hall of Fame Room details exploits of famous Texas prep bas-ketball players. The museum is run by Bob Springer, a former college basket-ball player and coach, who now publishes Texas Basketball magazine. Many items in the museum Springer collected himself over the past 40 years. Located in Car-mine on the corner of Augsburg Ave. and Hauptstrasse Street. Hours vary. For more information or to set up a tour call (979) 278-4222.

Schulenburg Historical Museum: The

main focus of this museum is to feature the equipment and methods used by ear-ly settlers to the area, 631 No. Main St., Schulenburg across the street from the Chamber of Commerce; Open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for special events. Call (979) 743-3614 for more information.

Fayette County Museum Listings, Continued

The Texas Polka Music Museum is located in Schulenburg.

BBQ BRISKET • SAUSAGERIBS • CHICKEN

979.242.2458HWY. 77 NORTH • LA GRANGE


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Karen A. Roberts, DDS Michael C. Nondorf, DDS

279 E. Colorado St.

La Grange, TX 78945

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This massive memorial tower at Monument Hill State Park honors soldiers that fought in the Texas War for Independence. Photo by Russell Bennett

La Grange’s Monument Hill/Kreische Brewery is Really Two State Parks in OneSituated on a bluff overlooking

the Colorado River, this beauti-ful state park is one of the hidden

gems of the system since it’s only a day park and no camping is allowed.

The name Monument Hill refers to the 48-foot art-deco stone monument in-side the park commemorating heroes of the Texas War for Independence, includ-ing the men of the Dawson Massacre and Mier Expeditions, that are buried on the park grounds.

In the Mier Expedition, which was a reponse to the Dawson Massacre, a group of 176 Texan revolutionaries trying to avenge those massacred at Salado Creek were captured, marched toward Mexico City, and attempted an escape, General Santa Anna ordered that they all be execut-ed, but the Governor of Coahuila begged for mercy. Santa Anna’s compromise was to draw from a jar of beans anyone who drew one of the seventeen black beans was to be executed and those that drew a white

bean were spared. The 17 men who drew black beans are buried at Monument Hill.

Texas Heroes Day is an annual event at the park on the Saturday closest to Sep-tember 18. It’s a day of cermonies and music and exhibitions honoring those who fought and died for the Republic of Texas.

The ruins of the Kreische Brewery are also located at Monument Hill State Park.

It was the third largest brewery in the State of Texas at peak of it’s popularity. Heinrich Kreische began a brewery on this site in 1860, utilizing the cool waters of the Colorado to help bottle his beer. The Kreische brewing operation did not con-tinue because despite having six children, none of them had children of their own. The elder Kreische died in 1882.

The park is located at 414 State Loop 92 in La Grange. It’s open seven days a week year-round and admission is free. Hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and it is closed on Christmas Day.

The Lodge on Lake Siesta


LA GRANGEBistro 108

108 S. Main Street.(979)968-9108(979) 968-9431

Bodega Wine Market201 W. Travis(979) 968-3964

Dairy Queen311 N. Jefferson St.(979) 968-5861

Cafe Dobre235 W. Travis St.(979) 968-9200

Golden Chick312 E. Travis St.(979) 968-9200

Gold’n Crisp Fried Chicken

922 E. Travis St.(979) 968-3033

Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant

403 N. Jefferson(979) 968-5935 (979) 966-0154

Hank’s Express154 S. Jefferson(979) 966-0500

Kasper’s Steak House710 W. Travis St. 968-5720

La Marina Restaurant 1502 W. State Hwy. 71 (979) 968-2065 (979) 968-2607

Las Fuentes658 S.Jefferson St.(979) 968-8957 (979) 968-8958

Latte On the Square219 W. Travis St.(979) 968-9545

Legal Tender Brisket and Brew

23932 Hwy. 77(979) 242-2458

Lukas Bakery135 N. Main St.968-3052

McDonald’s2304 W. Hwy. 71 (979) 968-5098

Pizza Hut 2230 W. State Hwy. 7l (979) 968-3125 (979) 968-3126

Prause Meat Market253 W. Travis Street.(979) 968-3259

Reba’s539 E. Colorado (979) 968-3100

Riverside Cafe1225 Carroll Ln. (979) 968-5506

Sealand Seafood2359 Hwy. 71 W. (979) 968-6139

Saigon Pho2409 W. Travis/ Hwy 71 (979) 639-5055

Sonic Drive-In 717 E.Travis St.(979) 968-6421

Subway109 S. Jefferson (979) 966-0724

Taqueria Rio Verde1330 N. Jefferson (979) 968-2074

The Back Porch BBQ1602 N. Jefferson(979) 968-1580

Texas OneStop BBQ and Bakery

1704 E. Hwy. 71 Bypass(979) 968-8100

Weikel’s Bakery2247 W. Hwy 71 Busi-

ness. (979) 968-9413

Whataburger1800 E. State Hwy. 71(979) 968-9565 (979) 968-2329

HOLMANHolman Valley Steakhouse,

10204 FM 155La Grange (979) 263-4188

La Grange Area Dining Guide

Kolaches can be bought in La Grange at Lukas Bakery on the courthouse

square or at Weikel’s.

For 85 years the Fayette County Fair has treated local folks and area visitors to the biggest party between Houston and Austin. This year marks the 85th edition of the fair, which is always held the Thursday-Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 28- 31, at the Fayette County Fairgrounds just north of La Grange on Highway 77.

The four day-extravanganza is packed with events too numerous to mention, but here are a few that are always included: * A Queen’s Contest on opening night.* A Saturday morning parade through downtown La Grange.* A Carnival.

* Weekend Barbecue cookoff.* Softball Tournament.* Petting Zoo.* A wide array of local food vendors and live music at the German-Czech Mart.* Fine Arts Exhibits.* Livestock shows.* A Country Store.* Talent Show.* Headline performers every night on the main stage.* Horseshoe and washer pitching tournaments.* A Commercial Exhibit Hall filled with vendors.

Season tickets go on sale in July, sold by candidates for Fair Queen, or one-day admission tickets can be bought at the gate.

Also see www.fayettecountyfair.org.

Fayette County Fair Has Become A Labor Day Weekend Tradition


Adult Retreats at Camp Lone Star

Club Connect at Camp Lone Star

www.LOMT.com 979-968-1657

Christian Care and Fun!• Children ages 5 to 14 during summer day camp weeks• Children in grades 3 to 6 for after school

and during school holidays

Serving You is Our Mission• Motel-style lodging and in-house meals• Large & small meeting spaces • Hosting regional quilt guilds for 20 years

By LOUANN ADCOXThe Fayette County Record

One thing that remains of the tomato era is the an-nual Ellinger Chamber of Commerce Festival, which began in 1936 as the El-linger Tomato Festival.

This was in celebration of an abundant harvest. The festival is held the last Sun-day of May.

From the beginning, Ellinger and the surround-ing area was largely a com-munity of farmers, with the chief crop being cotton, corn and hay.

It was not unusual for as many as 3,000 bales of cotton to be ginned by the local gins in a good year. It was a common site to see long lines of trailers loaded with fluffy white cotton, picked by hand, waiting to be driven under the gin stands.

Sometimes the gins ran day and night and had difficulty in keeping up.

Today, there is not a single gin in operation in Ellinger, or in Fayette County.

In the 1930’s Mr. Snodgrass from Tyler introduced to-matoes. The tomatoes were picked while still green in color, packed in lugs and shipped to various parts of the country.

One year Ellinger shipped more than forty carloads to

various parts of the country. The tomato harvest com-ing in May and June was an early source of income for farmers, who normally had to wait until fall to sell other crops.

This year marks 78 years of the Ellinger Cham-ber of Commerce Festival, originally called the Tomato Festival. For so many years this festival was the high-light of the tomato harvest.

The tomato industry added to the economy of the town until the early 1940’s when the railroad track was taken up and the train ser-

vice was discontinued. The streets of Ellinger are full of people from surround-

ing towns who come for the parade and to eat good food. The Festival has grown over the years to include a fried

chicken meal, live auction, carnival and live music.

Ellinger Tomato Festival Honors Area’s Once Booming Crop


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La Grange Credit Office 456 N. Jefferson

979.968.5750 local 877.688.5500 toll free

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By LOUANN ADCOXThe Fayette County Record

The square in downtown La Grange offers an abundance of unique shops. You will find an assortment of boutiques, a jewelry store, a men’s wear store and even a gourmet kitchen shop.

The Le Petite Gourmet Shoppe recent-ly moved into a much larger space and is the place to find the latest kitchen uten-sils, gadgets and specialty products. Twice a month, Chef Mike Morphew conducts a cooking class.

Man’s D&Z Shop has been located on the square since November of 1948. For 66 years they have carried men’s wear, western wear, Red Wing boots and they

offer alterations and even have Tuxedo rental.

Heritage Hallmark is a Gold Crown store and recently celebrated their 31st year in business in downtown La Grange.

Jewelry with soul, is the best way to describe Richard Schmidt’s jewelry. The family store offers very unique jewelry. The Schmidt’s Jewelry store has been lo-cated on the square since 1977.

Boutiques such as Cottage Gatherings, Urban Nest, Julie B’s, Tres Chic N Sassy and The Mustard Seed have very unique items that offer something for everyone.

The square is centered around the courthouse and offers plenty of free park-ing and handicap accessible parking.

Unique Shops Abound in Downtown La GrangeLe Petite Gourmet Shoppe on the square in downtown La Grange has a selection of cooking related items that rivals any big city cooking store. Photo by Alyson Svec

[ www.RichardSchmidtJewelry.com ]La GranGe, Texas J 1-800-368-9965

Richard SchmidtJ E W E L R Y D E S I G N



Welcome to Fayette County!

If you want to get out and play in Fayette County, you’ve got choices – lots of them.Whether you and the family are seeking boating, swimming, camping or fishing opportunities – or just out for a stroll or picnic – Fayette County has

your prescription for outdoor recreation.

Fayette County Has Numerous Parks to Enjoy

Flatonia City Parkin Flatonia:

This park has a swimming pool, playground, sand volleyball court, two baseball fields, a softball field and a covered pavilion. For information on use, contact the city of Flatonia at (361) 865-3548.

Plum Park on the Colorado:

Canoe put-in on the river between Smithville and La Grange. $5 fee per vehicle to enter. Offers open range for primitive camping with picnic tables, fire rings and grills. Permit information 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3366.

This is the start of the annual Kanoe Klassica canoe race which starts at Plum Park ends at the Boat Ramp Park in La Grange.

Railroad Parkin Flatonia:

Flatonia is one of the few cities in the U.S. to have a railroad with both North-South and East-West routes. Railfans love this park, including the nearby elevated platform that’s a “picture-taking place.” Sidetrack Tommy has given hundreds of tours of Flatonia’s railroad tower to visitors all across the country. To tour the Historic Tower #3 and S.P. Caboose #4743, contact [email protected].

Boat Ramp Park in La Grange:

Easy access to Colorado River for fishing, tubing, and canoe trips. Fishing pier, boat ramp, volleyball court, picnic tables. Open daily dawn to dusk. Handicap acces-sible. Located under Business 71 bridge over river.


855 South Jefferson La Grange, Texas

Library 979-968-3765 Museum 979-968-6418

E-mail: [email protected]/library.htm

Great Books, Movies, Musicand So Much More!

The Fayette Public Library& Fayette Heritage Museum & Archives

HoursSunday - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday - ClosedTues. -Thurs. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

County & Family History ReseaRch centeR

every June & July

Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale

Fourth Weekend of April

Pre-school

Story Time every Wednesday

at 10 a.m. Free Public Access Computers and Wi-Fi

e-booksavailable

Library and Archives Catalogs are available online

CD0517WOW 9/12

If you would like more information about Woodmen of the World products and membership4, please contact:

Since 1890, Woodmen of the World has remained strong through the ups and downs in our nation’s history. Recently, our strength was reaffirmed by A.M. Best, one of the nation’s leading independent rating organizations, when they awarded us an A+ (Superior) rating, the second-highest of 15 ratings.

Woodmen of the World is dedicated to providing valued financial solutions, along with customer benefits and opportunities for community involvement.

1. Not all products are available in all states.2. Fraternal benefits are not contractual, are subject to change and have specific eligibility requirements.3. Youth programs, summer camp and senior camps are not available in all areas. Camps are independently owned and operated by a third party.4. An individual becomes a member by purchasing a Woodmen of the World product.

Customer benefits2 include: •YouthProgramincludingSummerCamp3

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Kruschel Park in La Grange:

Swimming pool, walking trail, two Little League baseball fields, basketball court, picnic tables, play-ground, volleyball court, Open daily dawn to dusk. 480 W. Colorado St. Call (979) 968-5600 for more informa-tion about the pool. (3.64 acres) Handicap accessible.

Fayette County Fairgrounds in La Grange:

Baseball field, two softball fields, camping (primi-tive), rodeo arena. Open daily dawn to dusk. US 77 north of city.

Northside Park in La Grange:

Fishing access on Colorado River, fishing pier, boat ramp, volleyball court, picnic tables, restroom. Locat-ed off Hanacek Road. handicap accessible. Open daily dawn to dusk.

Outdoor Activities Easy to Enjoy With All the Local Parks

Fayette Public Library Park (Above) in La Grange:

Located outside the La Grange library at 855 S. Jefferson St, includes a playground and gazebo

Fayette Public Library Park is the site of an annual Easter Egg hunt put on by the La Grange Recreation Department.Photo by Jeff Wick


3611 W. State Hwy. 71, La Grange • 979.242.5146 or 1.800.688.0272 • M-F 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. & Sat 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Gift Cards & Certificates • Bridal Registry Available

Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Siteson “The Bluff”:

Scenic, wooded park with monument to Texas heroes of the Mier and Dawson ex-peditions (1840s). Home and ruins of historic brewery built by early German settler. 40.4 acres located one mile south of La Grange off US 77. Walking paths; guided and self-guided tours; picknicking, nature and historical study. Arrangements can be made with park staff for weddings, family reunions or other group functions in the picnic or his-torical facilities. Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; no fee. 414 State Loop 92, La Grange (979) 968-5658; [email protected].

Wolters Park in Schulenburg:

Includes a swimming pool, areas for picnicing and other facilities such as a basket-ball court, gazebo and playground. Wolters Park also includes Jacob Wolters’ 1835 log cabin. Located at south end of Bohlmann Street.

White Rock Park in La Grange:

Day-use park (23.5 acres), one of the largest on the lower Colorado River. Op-erated by the City of La Grange, (979) 968-5805. Located approximately one mile downstream of the U.S. 77 bridge in La Grange. Facilities include a canoe launch area, baseball fields, a playground, picnic areas, restrooms, paved area parking and a fishing pier.

Oak Thicket Park at Lake Fayette:

On 2,000-acre Fayette Lake. Features RV and tent sites, screened shelters, a large pavilion, picnic facilities, hiking trails, a sandy beach, a playground, interpretive nature exhibit, two-bedroom and bunk-house cabins and a boat ramp. Here you can bike, boat, fish, hike and swim. Reservations: call Texas Parks and Wildlife Reserva-tion Center (512) 389-8900 more than 48 hours in advance. To make reservations less than 48 hours in advance, call the park at (979) 249-3504.

Park Prairie Park at Lake Fayette:

Boat ramp, 12 tent- only campsites, and picnic facilities make a comfortable base for recreation at Lake Fayette. Group camping area (up to 24 people) with screened shelter (sleeps four) electricity, three campsites, picnic tables, and a grill. Reserva-tions: see information below for Oak Thicket Park. The rope swing at White Rock Park in La Grange may be the best on the entire Colorado

River. Photo by Jeff Wick


...and ever since a steady stream of tour buses have been descending upon the two-building complex that also includes a massive 75-foot mural and turn-of-the-century garden.

“These are not your grandmother’s quilts,” said Karey Bresenhan, co-founder of the museum, who also founded the Houston International Quilt Festival

“These are quilts like you’ve never seen before.”The museum was the idea Bresenhan and her cousin

Nancy O’Bryant Puentes, who together have written a tril-ogy of books on Texas Quilts. The choice to bring the mu-seum to La Grange was an easy one, said Bresenhan.

“La Grange is right in the middle of Austin, Houston and

San Antonio. It’s a crossroads to all these areas,” Bresenhan said prior to the museum opening.

Even before the museum opened this area was already home to a vibrant quilting community. The Colorado Valley Quilt Guild holds “The Best Little Quilt Show in Texas” in La Grange every February.

But the museum has sparked even more interest in quilt-ing locally.

The quilts on display change every few months. In addi-tion to a gift shop, the museum also houses the Pearce Me-morial Library and Material Culture Center which features

Quilt Museum Draws Thousands A Year to Downtown La Grange

The Quilt Museum in downtown La Grange include three galleries with exhibits that change several times a year. Photo by Jeff Wick

La Grange became the unofficial quilting

capital of Texas on Nov. 13, 2011, as the Texas

Quilt Museum opened in downtown La Grange... Continued on Page 86

WWW. EATATMURPHYS. COM

Old Fashioned• Sundae’s• Milkshakes• Malts• Floats• Sandwiches

Steaks Seafood Pastas BurgersSalad Bar with Beans Great Homemade Desserts Beer & Wine



Large outdoor seating area available. Groups welcome.Hours:Wednesday - Sunday 12- 6 pm. Other times by appointment.

979-249-5652 • 6002 FM 2981 • La Grange, TX 78945

(979) 968-9535 • (979) 338-9326Four blocks off the square in La Grange at 512 S. Main Street.

Located in a restored, 100+ year-old home w/ three bedrooms,

two with 1/2 baths, one with a lav,a full bath and separate shower room.

Each room sleeps three.Central heat and air, full kitchen and separate dining room.

Bed & Breakfast On Main

reference books about quilting and fabric collections. The museum’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Admission is $8 per person but is $6 for seniors, students and groups of 20 or more when arranged in advance. For more information check out www.texasquiltmuseum.org or call them at 979-968-3104.

Vistors from All 50 StatesIn just two years of existence, the Texas Quilt Museum has attracted more than 20,000

visitors from all 50 states and 38 countries as well as more than 300 bus groups to its home in La Grange.

Quilt Museum Showcases the Beauty of Ancient ArtContinued from Page 84

Above: This quilt, called “Windblown” by Maria El-kins, is part of the “People and Portraits” exhibit at the Texas Quilt Museum from January-March 2014. Left: The exterior of the Texas Quilt Museum building in downtown La Grange.


La Grange’s Texas Quilt Museum, already a popular draw for tourists interested in textiles, gets some national publicity this year when its garden is featured on Central Texas Gardener, a nationally distributed series produced by Austin public television station KLRU.

A KLRU crew was in La Grange last fall to tape the segment. It will feature the garden, which is styled “Grandmother’s Flower Garden,” adja-cent to the Museum. Museum manager Julie Maf-fei said the name comes from a favorite quilt pat-tern of the 1930s, based on the earlier Hexagon Mosaic pattern.

Puentes said the welcome national publicity “comes on the heels of a great story in Texas Gar-dener magazine.”

The Museum website describes the garden as “a period ‘town’ garden typical of area gardens between 1893, when the Museum’s buildings were constructed, and 1930.” It is oriented to the Museum’s large quilt mural on the west side of the building.

The garden is described as containing flow-ers, shrubs, vines, and trees favored by gardeners of the past as well as more modern varieties. It features a central sundial surrounded by an an-tique fence.

–H. H. Howze

Quilt Museum’s Garden Also in the Spotlight

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By ALYSON SVECThe Fayette County Record

If you’re interested in unqiue, religious architecture, the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn at 936 FM 2436 just outside La Grange has numerous land-

marks on site to view.The present church, the fifth one in Hostyn, was built in

1966. The narthex and Adoration Chapel were added to the church building in 2008.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto was built in 1925 replicat-ing the famous grotto in Lourdes, France, with statues of Angel Gabriel, Saint Bernadette, and Our Lady Lourdes. The grotto was built in Thanksgiving at the end of a long drought.

Saint Wenceslaus Chapel was built in 1929 to commem-orate the millennium of Saint Wenceslaus, king and patron

saint of the Czech’s, standing on top of the chapel. Inside is a statue of Saint Jerome.

Sacred Heart Monument was built in 1942, in memory of Otto E. Stolz, which contains the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The School Monument honors the teachers who taught at Holy Rosary School from 1924-1966. The school, which stood on the area that is now the parking lot was torn down in 1994.

Civil War Cannons were placed here by the U.S. govern-ment, in honor of Hostyn residents Joseph and John Lidiak. The father, Joseph, volunteered for the Confederacy. The son, John, was drafted by the Union when he was delivering a load of cotton.

Log Cabin was constructed in 1933 by traveling crafts-man who made concrete to look like petrified wood. The

structure is a replica of the first church, named Holy Trinity Church. Inside the structure are statues of the Infant Jesus of Prague and St. John Neumann.

Saint Anthony Chapel was built in 1926 featuring petri-fied wood interior with the statue of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Crucifixion Group was built in 1928 depicting Jesus on the Cross, Sorrowful Mother and John the Evangelist.

K.J.T. Monument commemorates the establishment of the fraternal, the Czech Catholic Union of Texas – The K.J.T. which was organized in (Bluff) Hostyn in 1889.

The Outdoor Stations of the Cross are 14 stations that symbolize the Way of the Cross. The inscriptions are in Czech and English. A monument honoring Father Miguel Muldoon, who celebrated the first known Mass in Bluff (Hostyn) in 1831 was moved to the church grounds in 2008, from its former location on State Highway 77.

Holy GroundHostyn Church Grounds are Worth the Short Drive from La Grange

This grotto, fashioned after the one in Lourdes, France is just one of several beautiful outdoor chapels at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn. Photo by Alyson Svec

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By ED JANECKAFootprints of Fayette

The tragic Civil War that our nation endured had many stories. It was a war unlike any other, in which fathers fought their own sons and brothers fought their own broth-ers. Occurrences such as this were not uncommon. One such story happened here in Fayette County.

Joseph Lidiak was a native of Moravia, born on February 12, 1824. In the mid-1800’s, he set out for America with his family, including his first son John who was born on June 2, 1846. They arrived at the port of Galveston in November of 1860, becoming the first Lidiak’s to come to America. Upon arrival, they took a wagon to the Bluff area. The area that is called Hostyn today was first called Bluff and then later Moravan. The town was officially given the name Hostyn in 1925. There, Joseph and his family settled in, and he farmed until 1863. He then enlisted in the Confederate Army and became a corporal in Martindale’s Company. For most of his training and service he was kept in Texas. As a favor, John, his eldest son, hauled cotton to Browns-ville for a neighbor. On his way back, John met some friends who were enlisting in the Union Army, and after a while, they finally persuaded him to join. Unaware of his fa-ther’s enlistment in the Confederate Army, John joined Hammet’s Company, the First Texas Cavalry of the United States Army. Having been a resident in the United States for only two years, John found himself fighting on the opposite side of his father Jo-seph. Although no records exist that show that the two men fought against one another in the same battle, it is possible that they crossed paths during the war. Both survived the grueling war and returned home to Hostyn, where they lived together on the family farm. In 1869, John Lidiak helped build Hostyn’s first church. Today, the father and son are buried side by side in the Hostyn cemetery, and both Joseph and John have a cannon dedicated in their honor on the church grounds.

Twin Cannons Memorialize Local Father and Son Who Fought on Opposite Sides of Civil War

These two cannons outside the Hostyn church serve as memorials to a father and son who are buried in the churh cemetary, who fought on opposite sides of the Civil War.

Photo by Alyson Svec

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Canoeing, Hiking, Swimming and more. Fayette County has become camp central for all ages to have fun in the sum-mer amongst the scenic natural beauty of this area.

Camp Lone Star in La Grange opened in 1941. This camp offers Teen, Family and Day camps (ages 5-14) from June to Au-gust.

Last summer, 6,300 visitors passed through the camp gate.

“Children, youth and families today need an affordable venue to have fun and experience the out-of-doors in a controlled, secure and safe environment, with good Christian role models and opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal,” Keith Lund, Executive Director said.

Campers learn what it means to belong to the body of Christ and allows them to ex-

perience God’s creation with outdoor activi-ties and being renewed in faith.

Some facilities include: archery, canoe-ing, swimming, hiking, song time, Bible study, and large group activities.

Teens can register in numerous sessions this summer including: Adventure, Alli-ance, Omega, Endeavor, and Sojourn Camp Shiloh and enjoy challenge courses and traveling down the Colorado River.

A pioneer camp is also available for ages 8-18.

Camp Lone Star also hosts retreats, church events and swim meets during the summer.

“All of us are looking for a place where we can be ourselves comfortably and with-out fear, where we can learn new things, talk through our joys and celebrations and share our concerns, – that’s what Camp Lone Star is,” Lund said.

Fayette County Is Summer

Camp Central

The ziplines are a favorite at Camp Tejas, between La Grange and Giddings.



Second Baptist Church1010 Von Minden Rd

La Grange, TX

979•968•5953

www.sblg.org

Join Usfor these

Service TimesSunday Morning:Bible Study 9:15 amWorship 10:30 am

Sunday Evening:Student Ministry Discipleship 6 pm

Children’s Bible Drill 6 pmAdult Bible Study 6 pm

Wednesday Evening:Children’s Ministry 6 pmStudent Ministry 7 pm

Adult Bible Study 6:15 pm

Each summer, 40 to 45 college aged youth are hired seasonally as well as kitchen and housekeeping helpers and lifeguards.

Visit http://www.lomt.com/ for more de-tails.

Camp Luther Hill’s mission statement is “A place for all people, of every generation to experience the love of Christ in unique settings and new ways.”

Since 1954, this camp has been used as a place to worship, study and play together for

youth and families in La Grange.Around 1,000 campers attend each sum-

mer. The camp offers numerous programs for different age groups including: Alpha’s, Adventurer’s, Confirmation, Yearling’s and more.

Enjoy Challenge Courses, games, swim-ming, high ropes and other activities.

Lutherhill Retreats are also offered from October to April each year.

Visit http://lutherhill.org/ for more de-tails.

Camp Lost Pines covers 40 acres in Warda and is used year-round for summer camps, retreats, spring and fall outings and academic programs.

At a capacity of 125 plus campers, they can enjoy swimming, a game room, basket-ball volleyball, soccer, baseball, disc golf and more.

Visit http://www.camplostpines.com for more details.

Two other camps are located just over the Fayette County line.

Camp Tejas – around since 1981 – is a Christian camp and retreat center near Gid-dings where more than 6,000 campers at-tend each summer.

According to their website, “Our pur-

pose is to encourage, serve and train the body of Christ, while proclaiming His Word in a fun, unique and hospitable setting.”

Church members from numerous churches all over Texas, such as Abilene, Pearl Land, San Antonio and Dallas come to offer church programs for the campers to become more aware of Christ.

Opportunities are endless when it comes

Campers enjoying the water at Luther Hill.

County Camps Draw Thousands Every SummerContinued from previous page

Camp Lone Star kids canoeing on the facil-ity’s massive lake.



to fun: Scavenger Hunts, Mud Wars, Wall and Zip Lines, Sports Tournaments (football, volleyball and basketball), Swimming, Archery, Hayrides and more are all offered at Camp Tejas.

The camp also hosts retreats and Lights of Tejas bring-ing in over 23,000 visitors a year.

Visit http://camptejas.org/camp for more details.Pine Cove Camp – around since 1964 – is located near

Columbus and Tyler and offers a few types of summer camps: Overnight Youth, Family, Day, Base and Safety.

Nearly 20,000 children, youth and families attend ses-sions at six Christian Youth Camps and three Christian Fam-ily Camps each summer.

According to their site, “Pine Cove exists to be used by God to transform the lives of people for His purposes and His glory.”

At this camp, visitors can expect bible studies, water sports, rope courses, ziplines, team games, and more.

Pine Cove Camp also offers retreats, conferences, out-door education and other venues, bringing in over 30,000 visitors a year.

Visit http://www.pinecove.com/ for more details.


Fayette Co. Just a Day-Trip Away for Metro Campers

A race through the mud at Camp Tejas.

“COME AS YOU ARE!”You’re always welcome to worship with us the risen Christ

Join our Church family for worshipSundays: 9:00 a.m. Traditional Service 11:10 a.m. Contemporary ServiceWednesday: 6:00 p.m. Midweek Service

Our worship center is located 1215 N. VonMinden, La Grange, TX one block east of the intersection of Highway 77 and Bypass 71

For more information visit our website www.lgfumc.org or call 979.968.8323


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The Germans and Czechs who settled

this area loved their beer – dating back to 1860 when Heinrich Kreische started one of Texas’ first commercial breweries on

the bluff above the Colorado River here.Today, Fayette County visitors and

residents alike can enjoy a wide-range of locally crafted beverages.

Mead is a form of wine made from honey and is believed to be the oldest form of alcohol. The Rohan Meadery began business in 2009 and opened their tasting room in February 2011 at 6002 FM 2981.

Owned and operated by John and Wendy Rohan, visitors can try such hon-ey wines as Raspberry Melomel, Apple Cyser, Temperament, Peachy Keen and Kumquat Honeywine.

Most of their bottles are $20. They also have a couple varieties that are more ($22). Their traditional Honeymoon mead is $27.

The Rohans raise ten hives of Italian Honeybees. Depending on the weather,

they can get 90 pounds of honey per hive. It takes 300 pounds minimum of honey to make a single batch.

When they first opened, they only had six or seven varities of mead. Now, they are working on their 12th.

The meadery is open to visitors Wednesdays thru Sundays from 12 to 6 p.m.

They will most likely be open more hours in the summer.

“It’s been going really great,” Wendy Rohan said. We’ve had so much support from the local community. We get a lot of Houston and Austin traffic.”

The “Daytripper” episode on KLRU really helped them draw in a lot of people and let them know more about the mead-ery.

From This – To ThisThere’s Quite a Buzz About the Rohan Meadery Just Outside La Grange

John Rohan works with the bees at Rohan Meadery. That honey is the main ingredient in Rohan’s award-winning line of Meads.


127 S. Washington St. | La Grange, Texas 78945 | 979.968.3155 | www.FayetteCountyRecord.com

175 Years of Fayette County as Told by Its Residents

Pick Up Your Copy at The Fayette County Record for only $50+tax

1

Celebrating175 Years of

Fayette County1838-2013

1920: LHS Leopard Football Team 1902: Lining up for the parade

1902: Mercantile Store, downtown La Grange

1885: Speckels family wedding in Warrenton

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Visitors vary from weekend to week-end. Summer months are the busiest (June and July)

It’s a very labor-intensive one-year process to make mead.

The Rohans also get their honey from Wendy and Kenny Reed of BeeWilde Honey in Montgomery.

A motto of Rohans Meadery is “Save the Bees, Drink Mead.”

This is to promote awareness of the difficulties bees face with the use of pes-ticides and insecticides. The meadery sells T-shirts and all proceeds go to bee research.

“We definitely want to give back as much to beekeeping because we benefit so much from it.”

For more information go to their web-site rohanmeadery.com.

• Nechanitz was one of the first homes to the only meadery in Texas. Since then, three other meaderies have opened and a fourth is on its way.

These include: Dancing Bee Winery

in Rogers, Enchanted Manor Meadery in Tomball, and Texas Mead Works in Se-quin. The fourth is Meridian Hive and it will be located in Austin.

As for the grape, there’s:•Rosemary’s Vineyard and Winery

located at 5501 Highway 71 East, five miles east of La Grange.

The first vines there were planted in 2000 and Rosemary’s opened for busi-ness in 2006.

Take a stroll through their vineyard and see such grapes as Lenoir and Blanc du Bois growing on the vine before head-ing to the adjacent tasting room. They are open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday afternoons.

• The Stone Cellar in Round Top holds separate Beer and Wine Festivals each year. Visit the website for details.

•Check out how Kreische brewed beer and see his ingenious system of keeping it cool with spring water go to Monument Hill-Kreische Brewery State Park at 414 State Loop 92 in La Grange. Open seven days a week (except Christmas Day) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. free admission.


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The scenic, winding country roads of Fayette County make this area a magnet for cyclists year-round.

But every April more cyclists converge on Fayette County than anywhere else in the world.

La Grange is the overnight stopping point for the MS 150, the largest charity bike ride in the world, which rais-es money for multiple sclerosis research and treatment.

Some 12,000 bikers make their way from Houston to Austin in the two-day event and for the last 28 years La Grange has served as the extended pit-stop.

Last year over $17 million was raised for the National MS Society and since the MS 150 started more than $165 million has been raised.

The Fayette County Fairgrounds turns into bicycle-

central. This year’s event is April 12-13.Dozens of circus tents go up where bikers rest and re-

lax from the ride in from Houston. Bands perform and community members come together to make sure all the bikers and support staff are fed and taken care of.

Even if you aren’t riding yourself, the Day One fin-ish line at the fairgrounds is a sight to behold. Hundreds form lines on either side of the road to cheer the riders on through their last few yards as an announcer spouts biographical details about many of the bikers as they pass through.

Even after they finish, not all the riders stay at the fair-grounds.

Many local families open up their homes to host the same riders year after year –but most local hotels and campgrounds are filled to the brim that weekend as well.

It’s quite a different event than the first one back in 1985 when less than 200 riders stayed overnight at the La Grange Knights of Columbus Hall and showered at the high school.

Coming to Fayette County? Bring Your BikeBikers at the start of the Good Old Summertime Classic which begins in the square in Fayetteville in June. Photo by Jerry Herring

Every April bikers swarm the Fayette County Fairgrounds, which is the midway point of the MS 150 Bikeathon.

Photo by Jeff Wick Continued on next page


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continues to embrace the event. Four years ago St. Marks Medical Center donated

30 acres of land across from the fairgrounds as an ad-ditional overnight camping area for the riders.

Sunday morning the riders are off to Austin, but that

doesn’t mean the cycling fun is over in Fayette County. Fayetteville has an active cycling club (fayettevil-

[email protected]) and hosts the Good Old Summer-time Classic race evey June. The La Grange Chamber of Commerce has put together a dozen scenic bike routes that really show the character of Fayette County which can be found at www.lagrangetx.org.

And the MS 150 isn’t the only big cycling event in Fayette County. Flatonia and Schulenburg in the south-ern part of the county are on the Texas Independence Bike Relay, a 40-leg team race from Gonzales (where the Texas Revolution began) to the San Jacinto Monu-ment (at the site of the battle where Texas won its inde-pendence).


Bikeathon Every April Turns Fayette County into Cyclist-CentralThe take-off at Day 2 of the MS 150 is quite the site as cyclists depart the fairgrounds in a huge group. Photo by Jeff Wick


Texas State Historical Commission

Prior to European settlement Lipan Apaches and Tonkawa Indians inhab-ited parts of what is now Fayette County. Many Indian artifacts have been found, especially along the Colorado River and near Round Top.

A few miles north of the Colorado River, above Little Pin Oak Creek, a stratified multicomponent campsite was found, with Clovis, Plainview, and other later artifacts. In the early eight-eenth century Spanish explorers passed through the area. La Bahía Road, which ran southwest to northeast and crossed the river at the site of present La Grange, was the major route for travel during the Mexican period.

The area was part of Stephen F. Aus-tin’s first colony, and formal settlement began in 1822 with the arrival of the Austin colonists.

From 1824 to 1828 ten members of the Old Three Hundred received title to their land grants in the fertile Colorado River valley; William Rabb received four leagues in order to build a mill. A total

of ninety-two Mexican land grants were granted in the area that is now Fayette County. The earliest settlers gathered at Wood’s Fort, Moore’s Fort (La Grange), the James Ross home, and Jesse Bur-nam’s blockhouse, twelve miles below La Grange.

Ferries were used to cross the Colo-rado River until the first bridge was built at La Grange by private subscription in 1883. On December 14, 1837, upon peti-tion of the citizens, the Congress of the Republic of Texas established the county of Fayette, named in honor of the Mar-quis de Lafayette.

La Grange, the name of the chateau to which Lafayette retired, was designat-ed the county seat. The citizens organ-ized the county government on January 18, 1838, and the southwestern boundary of the county was extended westward on May 3, 1838. The county lost territory in the south to Lavaca County in 1854 and in the north to Lee County in 1874.

The early settlers’ life revolved around their plantations, but problems with Indians occupied much of their time. Sometimes the settlers felt so

threatened that they moved down to the lower Colorado River area.

At other times they grouped together, sometimes aided by Lipan Apache and Tonkawa Indians who were friendly to the settlers, to resist marauding bands of Comanches, Wacos, and Kichais. Fay-ette County men were prominent in the Texas Revolution; more than fifty men

participated in the battle of San Jacinto, including Joel Walter Robinson, one of the captors of Antonio López de Santa Anna. The Somervell, Mier, and Dawson expeditions were composed mostly of Fayette County men.

In 1848 the remains of the men killed in the Dawson Massacre and in Perote Prison were returned to Fayette County and interred on Monument Hill; in 1933 a granite tomb was dedicated there.

The historic Muster Oak, still stand-ing on the square, has been a rallying site since the early settlement. William Men-efee, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, was from Fayette County.

A proposal to permanently locate the state capital in Fayette County was approved on April 11, 1838, by an overwhelming majority of the Second Congress. Local citizens arranged for the purchase of the Eblin league on the east side of the Colorado River near La Grange, reserving all vacant lands within a nine-mile radius. The measure was ve-toed by Sam Houston, however, and the capital was located upriver in what later became Austin.

Fayette County: How It All BeganEuropean Settlement, Indian Trouble, and the Almost Capital of Texas

The area that is now Fayette County was part of the first colony started by Stephen F. Austin (above).


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Wildflowers Put on a Show Here Every Spring

A patch of bluebonnets even springs up every year on the courthouse square in La Grange near the gazebo. Photo by Jeff Wick


On March 7, 1901, the Texas legislature proclaimed the bluebonnet the state flower.

In the 1930s the state began a highway-beautification program that included scattering bluebonnet seed beside road-ways, thus extending the flower’s range.

That seeding was later extended to other Texas wildflower species character-istic of south central Texas in general and Fayette County in particular.

Our “painted roadsides” are now worldwide tourist attractions on a par with other famous “destination” foliage-watching opportunities.

Usually by the first week of March, Texas wildflowers – first bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, later Indian blanket,

and Black-eyed Susan – are already pop-ping up along the highways and byways of Fayette County.

This year was no exception. Damon Waitt, senior botanist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin said he expects a good season. Almost any road is good, although the quieter county roads are best for serenity and safety. Come to Fayette County and just drive around in the spring – there’s plenty to see.

For bloom updates, visit sites such as http://www.wildflowerhaven.com, http://www.wildflowersightings.org and http://www.texasbluebonnetsightings.com.

The Texas Department of Transporta-tion will start providing sightings some-time in March at 1-800-452-9292.


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Melvin East looked around last May at the school he graduated from in 1958 and couldn’t believe his eyes.

“I didn’t think you could do anything with this old building,” East said. “But it’s wonderful. Just wonderful.”

East was one of dozens of locals who turned out for the dedication ceremony last year at the New Randolph Activ-ity Center at 653 E. Pearl Street in La Grange.

After about $1.5 million was spent (split equally between the city and Tex-as Parks and Wildlife Department), La Grange now has a sparkling activity cent-er that has everything from a gymnastics area to a dance studio to an excercise room with the latest fitness machines. There’s even a whole room dedicated to quilting.

The center is a far cry from the 80-year-old structure that was sitting mostly empty and decaying as recently as

a few years ago.The site used to be the home of Ran-

dolph High, the all-black school in La Grange that closed after integration in the mid-1960s. It was used sparingly by La Grange ISD after that, until the city took ownership in 2004, and the long, slow process of finding a way to revital-ize Randolph began.

“This facility is a prime example of re-use of existing buildings in our com-munity,” said La Grange mayor Janet Moerbe during the dedication ceremony. “This was once your school building, now it’s your community building.”

“It is gratifying to make a building that so many had given up on, come alive again,” said architect Brad Cutright.

The Randolph Recreation Center is lo-cated at 653 E. Pearl Street in La Grange. To find out about the programs currently being offered call 968-5600. The facility also hosts a massive summer camp pro-gram for kids, but spot fill up fast.

Renovated Randolph Recreation Center Has Programs For Everyone from Seniors to Kids

The recently renovated Randoph Recreation Center at 653 E. Pearl Street in La Grange offers gymnastics and tumbling classes as well as aerobics and dance. Various senior groups meet there to play cards, dominos and to quilt. Photo by Alyson Svec

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With its rich heritage, it’s no surprise that La Grange is the hub for celebrating the Czech culture in Texas. Over 80 percent of the Czech-Moravian families who settled in Texas at some time lived in Fayette County before they spread out across the state. Cel-ebrating that colorful heritage, which deeply enriches this community, is the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center.

At its 70-acre site neighboring the Fay-ette County Fairgrounds just north of La Grange on Hwy. 77, is the multifaceted home of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cul-tural Center. A replica of a late 19th and early 20th century Czech-Moravian com-

munity is being developed there, which includes authentic old Czech homes, busi-nesses and an old dance hall. There’s a wall depicting the names of Czech settlers who helped to found the city, an amphitheatre built into a hill on a bank facing the mighty Colorado River, self-guided walking trails with legends in English and Czech, and a gift shop and library to trace your Czech ancestry. Work is ongoing on the varied as-pects of this celebration of culture.

Here’s how it all began:In December of 1995, at a meeting of

Texans of Czech Ancestry, members voted

Czech It OutLa Grange Home to Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center

to support the project of building a state-wide Czech cultural center with a library, museum, and archives.

Before that, a statewide request was sent asking for any communities that were inter-ested in such a facility to present a proposal. Proposals were received from the cities of Caldwell, Ennis, La Grange, and Temple. After a thorough examination of each of the proposals, including a visit to each site and a meeting with city officials, the TOCA Board Members selected the La Grange proposal.

Fayette County was selected as the site for the Center because of its significance in the history of Texas Czechs. It has the largest Czech population per capita and the most Czech communities of any county in the state. Many Czech-related historical sites and events, as well as prominent Texas Czechs, can be linked to Fayette County, which has the distinction of having had more immigrants from the Czech lands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire settle there in the second half of the nineteenth century than any other county in Texas. Other rea-

sons for selecting LaGrange included the location and the amount of land offered and the fact that Fayette County is historically significant in Texas-Czech history. Negotia-tions began to draw up a Lease Agreement.

Governor George Bush signed House Concurrent Resolution Number 265 from the Texas House of Representatives and Senate on July 14, 1997. This Resolution recognized all those associated with the

The main entrance to the Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange.Photo by Russell Bennett

A massive mural honoring Czech immigra-tion is in the gallery at the center.



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Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center to be built in La Grange, Texas. The reso-lution further recognized the contributions of Texans of Czech ethnicity to the state’s history and that Fayette County, which is known as the “Cradle of Czech Immigra-tion,” is an appropriate site for the Center.

An Economic Development Grant from the City of La Grange funded a Walking Trail with stations, hand hewn by George Hlavinka of Caldwell. The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, Inc. has evolved from a single desk housed in the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce Office, to a one-room office in a profes-sional building in La Grange, to an on-site location in the meticulously restored early Texas-Czech Farmhouse, the Kalich House.

The Kana Brothers, Inc. House Leveling & Moving moved the Kalich House, donat-ed to the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center by Peggy and Jonathan Kalich in memory of their family, onto the site. Vol-unteers from throughout the state lovingly restored it. It served as the official TCHCC Visitors’ Center from November 2001 until September 1, 2009 when the new Library and Museum was completed.

Ground breaking for the new building designed by Roger Kolar, architect, was held in June of 2008. Gaeke Construction

was awarded the bid for the 10,000 square foot building.

Another major component of the TCH-CC, now on the site, is the large Sanford Schmid Amphitheater that overlooks the Colorado River Valley with stadium type seating for 400. In July of 2003, a Wallachi-an Bell and Belfry, from the Roznov region of Moravia and on exhibit in Washington, D. C. in 1995, were donated to the TCHCC by the Czech Heritage Society of Texas and

were moved onto the TCHCC site.An additional farmhouse, donated to

the TCHCC by the Migl family, was moved to the site and restored by the Migl family. The Bucek Building (originally a fur trad-ing company) donated by Mr. Roy Bucek was moved to TCHCC on May 11, 2005. The Hoelscher Haus donated to TCHCC by Henry and Esther Hoelscher was moved to the site on Oct. 19, 2005. It houses the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum. A twin log barn restored by Ed Vasek with the help of his brothers, Ernest, David and Robert was added to the Texas Czech Village. TCHCC will continue to develop the Village.

The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center is open: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Contact them at 888-785-4500.The center is located at 250 West Fair-

grounds Road, La Grange.

The amphitheater at the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center sits in a bluff above the Colorado River, offering not only beautiful views of the various performances there, but also sweeping views of the countryside. Photo by Russell Bennett

Czech Center Keeping History Alive in La Grange Continued from previous page

Mark Hermes, left, the manager of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center breaks out his accordian for some visitors from the Czech Republic last year at the center.

Photo by Alyson Svec

This chandelier hangs in Hanslik Hall and was made in the Czech Republic.

The true story of“The Most Horrible Crime in Fayette County History.”

The assault and murder involving two school girls from La Grange on February 2, 1925.

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INFAMOUS 1925 MURDER REVISITED


The Fayette County Courthouse in La Grange is a must-see for any visitor. Here’s a look at some of

the history of the 123-year-old building:San Antonio architect J. Riely Gordon

designed the Fayette County Courthouse, as well as 13 other Texas county courthouses, in addition to the state capitol in Arizona. This is Fayette County’s fourth courthouse.

On April 9, 1891, the cornerstone for the current Fayette County Courthouse was laid by the local Masonic Lodge. A cel-ebration with dining and dancing, attended by about 2,000 people, went on into the early hours of the next day.

The three-story building is a masonry and stone Roman-esque Revival structure with a clock tower

rising

over the main entrance. All offices and the courtroom are arranged around a 30-foot by 30-foot square central courtyard.

The exterior walls are built of Belton white limestone, complemented with blue sandstone quarried at the nearby Fayette County community of Muldoon. Red Pecos sandstone stringcourses (decorative hori-zontal moldings) and pink Burnet granite columns and steps add to the richness of the building.

At the base of the clock tower is a large stone slab on which is carved a large Ameri-can eagle. On the corners of the tower and above the entrances are dragons carved out

of the eight ridge points. The roof is covered with Spanish

tile made from slate. The central courtyard, which

was closed-in to make space for a vault and more of-

fices in 1949, was re-claimed during the restoration of the courthouse and now is filled with plants and a fountain. The courtroom, 85-feet by 42-feet in size,

County Courthouse 123-Years-Old and Still Looking Good

Continued on next

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is shaped like a half moon and has been used as a set for several movies, including “Michael” featuring John Travolta. The up-per courtroom gallery can seat 500 people.

When the Fayette County Commission-ers’ Court formally accepted the new build-ing on December 1, 1891, the total cost was $99,407.04. Funding for the construc-tion was provided by the sale of 90 $1,000 bonds.

In late February 1893, the courthouse was lit with electricity for the first time. In 1913, the basement and the first floor were flooded with five feet of water.

The Fayette County Courthouse has

been festooned in red, white and blue in cel-ebration of peace and memorial occasions. The streets outside now are paved and the horse and buggy have given way to cars, SUVs and pickup trucks.

After a complete restoration, the Fay-ette County Courthouse was rededicated on June 25, 2005. It stands as a time-honored symbol of justice in Fayette County.

The courthouse is open daily until 5 p.m. and visitors are welcome to walk around, but please be aware that county business and trials may be going on. Volunteers also open the courthouse for visitors most Sat-urdays.

Courthouse a Center of Bustling Downtown

La Grange Square

A Veteran’s Memorial to all Fayette County servicemen sits on the courthouse lawn.Photos by Alyson Svec


This atrium at the center of the courthouse was once walled up and used for storage, but has since been restored to its original condition – maybe even better.

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Maybe more than any other structure, the courthouse is the symbol of Fayette County.


Kayakers approach the Chalk Bluff area of the Colorado River just north of La Grange. Photo by Jeff Wick

Continued on Page 110

A River Runs Through ItThe Colorado River Is Why La Grange Was Settled and Continues to Impact its Present and Future By H.H. HOWZEThe Fayette County Record

The Colorado River is probably the most defining natu-ral feature in Fayette County. The river was a corridor for settlement and transportation in frontier times. Today, tamed by upstream dams, it provides residents and visitors alike with access to the natural – and human – history of the area.

****************Ten miles downstream from the Fayette-Bastrop County

line is the first public access to the river at the Lower Colo-rado River Authority’s Plum Park.

The Colorado River as it flows from Plum to La Grange is full of surprises around every turn – and there are a lot of turns.

Several species of birds frequent this stretch of the river: barred owls, green and blue herons, American egrets, hawks, crows, green kingfishers and black vultures. Further down-river, a sheer white chalk bluff rises 200 feet on the east side

while needle-nose gar snap at dragonflies and butterflies on the smooth surface. A two-hour float from Plum brings trav-elers to the broad mouth of Rabb’s Creek.

This is where William Rabb and his family, members of Stephen F. Austin’s “Old Three Hundred,” settled on a three-league headright (about 12,000 acres) in 1822.

Rabb received so much land because he promised to es-tablish a mill to grind corn for the colony on the large creek

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which drained his grant of land. “The Indians were so bad we could not

move to the mill; the men went up alone to work,” William Rabb’s wife Mary wrote in a reminiscence.

Some historians believe that French ex-plorer La Salle and his party, still looking for the Mississippi, crossed the Colorado near present-day La Grange in March, 1687.

Two years later, in 1689, Spaniard Alon-so De Leon followed La Salle’s trail search-ing for stragglers of his last ill-fated expedi-tion.

A century and a half later the young settlement of La Grange, was established in the 1830s on the east side of a pre-historic “buffalo crossing.”

Today the LCRA maintains a conve-nient boat ramp for river tourists under the Business 71 bridge. The river authority also provides a river guide to other put-ins and take-outs along the river.

Below La Grange, the next public take-

out is White Rock Park on river left, a short but scenic one hour float. Immediately downstream from the “buffalo crossing” ramp under Business 71, Buckner’s Creek comes in on river right.

The creek is named after trader Aylett “Strap” Buckner who faced down empresa-rio Stephen F. Austin over his claim to the land around the creek.

In the early 1820s, before “don’t mess with Texas,” the word was out in Austin’s colony – “don’t mess with Strap Buckner.”

Just downriver, on the prominent bluff which forces the river into a 90-degree left turn, a monument to heroes of the Republic of Texas at Monument Hill State Park is vis-ible from the river.

Watch for a small inlet suitable for a ferryboat against the base of the cliff, the location of the “lower ferry,” where Ger-man immigrant Heinrich Kreische shuttled customers to his ingenious brewery and biergarten (also on the Bluff at Monument Hill State Park) for several decades after the

The trees along the Colorado River in fall turn all sorts of colors. Photo by Lisa Corker

A Little Colorado River HistoryContinued from previous page


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Civil War.Don’t miss the White Rock Park takeout

just below the high US 77 bridge because the next public access after that is almost 40 river miles in Colorado County at Colum-bus. That stretch is best done with an over-night camp on a public-domain mid-river

island. Several miles downriver, but still in

Fayette County, is the site of Burnam’s Crossing, where General Sam Houston led the Texas forces and terrified settlers away from an advancing Mexican Army in 1836. A local guide or outfitter can point out the spot.


What if a river ran through it and hardly anyone paid much attention?

That’s what puzzles river guide Ronnie Ray about the lack of recreational use of the Colorado River through Fayette County.

Ray, who lives near Plum with his wife Sherry, is on the river often. He goes for his own pleasure and also occasionally guides duck hunters and anglers. His boat shed contains several specialized boats for the purpose.

There was mist on the water when we launched from the LCRA put-in near Plum just after sunrise. Ducks, herons, egrets and drinking cows greeted us heading upriver.

Ray likes to talk, a good quality in a guide. Passing an island, he throttled down and recalled with a smile, “That’s where I buried my favorite Lab, we used to hunt a lot of ducks together on that island.” Farther up, passing the mouth of Pin Oak Creek, he noted, “It runs all the way up into Bastrop County.”

Stopping the boat near some logs above Pin Oak, he threw out an anchor slowing the boat as it drifted with the current.

“Cast around those logs,” he suggested. I

did and got a strike – and a miss, on the first cast. A second cast was more successful. “That’s a nice river bass,” he said as he net-ted the fish, “they concentrate on structure.”

“It’s amazing how much the river will change,” from season to season, he noted, as we drifted along. Pointing to a large dead tree, he said, “In the winter the bald eagles are in here.” On one occasion an immature eagle came down and scratched one of his duck decoys with its talons trying to find out if it was good for a meal. He points out a nu-tria swimming the river. “I’ve seen beavers and three river otters. – biologists told me that’s the first time anyone has reported (that species) this far west.”

As Ray parks the rig back at his house about noon, he turns philosophical. “I don’t know why people have such an aversion to the river, I hardly ever see anyone else out there.” Maybe its a holdover from the ‘fif-ties, when the river was so dirty from inef-ficient wastewater treatment, he muses, or maybe folks just don’t like the minor incon-veniences of the outdoors anymore.

At any rate, he said, it’s always there for him and anyone else who would like to go.

(Ronnie Ray can be reached at [email protected] or (979) 702-1077)


La Grange’s White Rock Park is Last Public Take Out on River Until Columbus

A Guide’s-Eye View of the RiverLocal guide Ronnie Ray heading upriver. Photo by H.H. Howze


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By CAROLYN HEINSOHNFayette County Historical Commission

Most of the residents of Fayette County consider themselves fortunate to be living in a place noted not only for its beauty, but also for its heritage and history. Fayette County and its residents can claim many “firsts,” giving it a unique distinction that sets it apart from other counties in the state. Some of these “firsts,” as well as other notable facts are listed below:

In 1814, Aylett C. Buckner and compan-ion, Peter Powell, squatted on what is now Fayette County land, becoming the first documented Anglo settlers.

Sylvanus Castleman received the first league of land in the area that would be-come Fayette County in 1824.

William Rabb erected the first grist mill on the Colorado River at Rabb’s Prairie in 1830. He also planted and harvested the first crop ever produced in the county.

Christian Gotthelf Wertzner was the first permanent German settler in the county, ar-riving in 1831.

Biegel, the first German settlement in the county and the second in the state was founded by Joseph Biegel in 1832. It now lies under the Fayette Power Plant cooling lake.

Tabitha Moore, the daughter of Col. John H. and Eliza Cummins Moore, was the first white child born in La Grange.

The first school in the county was founded in 1834 by David Breeding on his land approximately five miles northeast of Fayetteville.

The first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired from a small cannon by Texans under the command of Col. John H. Moore of La Grange on Oct. 2, 1835 near Gonza-les, Texas.

Fayette County was created in 1837 from the counties of Colorado and Mina (Bastrop) by the Republic of Texas Congress.

In 1838, Eblin’s League south of La Grange was in consideration to be the site of the capital of the Republic of Texas; howev-er, Sam Houston vetoed the bill. The south side of present-day La Grange is in Eblin’s League.

The first institution of higher education in Texas was established in 1837-38 in Rut-ersville. The first Protestant and first Meth-odist College in Texas was chartered on Jan. 25, 1840 in Rutersville.

The oldest man killed in the Dawson Massacre on Sept. 18, 1842 was Zadock Woods from West Point.

“The La Grange Intellingencer” was the first newspaper printed in Fayette County in 1844.

Judge R.E.B. Baylor of Halsted was a member of the Constitutional Convention that wrote the first state constitution. Baylor also organized the first school in La Grange in 1839 and was one of the organizers of Baylor College.

A La Grange merchant built the first steamboat, the Kate Ward, which hauled cotton and lumber on the Colorado River.

The first Czech-Moravian Protestant worship service ever held in Texas was in 1855 at the Brethren Church at Ross Prairie

Notable Fayette County Facts and Firsts near Fayetteville.

Dubina was the first settlement in Texas to be founded entirely by Czech-Moravians in 1856.

The first Bohemian Catholic parochial school in the United States was established at Praha.

The first cottonseed oil mill in Texas was built in High Hill near Schulenburg in 1866.

Augustine Haidusek was the first Czech mayor of a city (La Grange) in Texas in 1875. He was also one of the first Czech lawyers to practice in the United States, the first Czech state legislator, the first Czech county judge in Fayette County, the first Czech bank president in Fayette County, and the first Czech to serve on the board of the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical Col-lege.

The beer brewery built on the Bluff by Henry Kreische in the late 1860s ranked third in production in the state in 1878.

The first bridge across the Colorado River in Fayette County was built in 1883 on the west side of La Grange.

The Svoboda, a newspaper founded by Augustin Haidusek in La Grange in 1885, was the largest Czech newspaper in Texas at that time with a circulation of 4000 sub-scribers.

The first telephone line in the county was installed from La Grange to Weimar in 1887.

The first street lights in La Grange, placed at the four corners of the square, were installed in 1892.

The SPJST, a state-wide Czech fraternal organization, was founded in La Grange in 1896.

A state-wide fraternal organization known as the K.J.T. was founded at Hostyn in 1889 (K.J.T. is the Czech Catholic Union of Texas.)Continued on next page


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The first rural mail route in Texas began in La Grange in 1899.

Bermuda Valley in Schulenburg was the first horse race track in south Texas (1897-1920).

Schulenburg was one of the first towns in Texas to have daytime electricity.

The Carnation Milk Company located its first Texas plant in Schulenburg in 1929.

The first roadside park in Texas was established 12 miles west of La Grange on Hwy. 71 in the fall of 1933.

At one time, there were 20 Czech com-munities in Fayette County – more than any other county in Texas.

The cedar Wandke organ in the Bethle-hem Lutheran Church in Round Top is the first handmade pipe organ in any Lutheran Church in Texas.

Hermes Drug Store in La Grange was the oldest continuously operating drug store

in the state before it closed.

Round Top is the smallest incorporated town in Texas.

St. Martin’s Catholic Church near War-renton is the smallest Catholic church in the United States.

Fayetteville has the only precinct court-house in the United States with a four-faced Seth Thomas clock.

Ellinger was the first town in Fayette County to have “talkie” movies.

Joseph Sykora of Fayette County, who died at age 106 in 1970, had the distinction of being the oldest Czech American at that time.

Fayette County was the first county in Texas to scatter wildflower seeds on the highway roadsides.

Fayette County was the first county in Texas to use rural addressing for 911 services.

Fayette County developed the first coun-ty-wide recycling program in Texas.

Notable Fayette County FirstsContonued from previous page

Fayette County boasts two nine-hole golf courses that are open to the public – and one disc golf course.

The La Grange golf course is at Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club, but non-members can play there. It’s located at 576 Country Club Drive at the base of the bluff formed by the Colorado River.

Greens fees are $20 during the week and $24 on weekends.

Call 979-968-6113 for more infor-mation.

The Flatonia course is at 1245 E. Highway 90 and opened in 1993.

Weekend rates there are $17 and $12 Monday through Thursday. Tuesday through Thursday senior rates are $10.

For more information call 361-865-2922.

Carts are available for rental at both courses.

If disc golf is your game, Snow Farm is a 21- hole course located in the far northern tip of Fayette County on Muske-Ulrich Road. Call ahead for res-ervations from owner/operator Randon Dillingham at (979) 278-3536.

It’s $6 to play and primitive camping is available for $6. Several large disc golf tournaments are held there every year.

Built in 2012, there is now a free disc golf course at the Fayette County fair-grounds as well.

Fore! Galore

Randon Dillingham takes a toss at Snow Farm Disc Golf Course.

Photo by Jeff Wick

Though part of a country club, the golf course at Frisch Auf! is also open to the public and offers lots of challenging holes with water hazards and elevation changes.


By AILEEN LOEHRThe Fayette County Record

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the closing of the “Chicken Ranch” brothel in La Grange.

But the topic still fascinates visitors to Fayette County.

Here’s an excerpt about the history of the Chicken Ranch as it appeared in the Fay-ette County History Book published in 2013 by the Fayette County Record, and still for sale at our newspaper office:

In the history pages of Fayette County, it is reported that the origin of the infamous brothel

reportedly dates back to 1844, when Texas was still a republic. It was run by a widow, Mrs. Swine, and operated out of a hotel near a saloon in La Grange. She hired three Louisiana girls to take care of business. The ladies entertained in the hotel lobby and rented a room up-stairs to conduct business. It was very successful for over a decade. She was forced to close during the Civil War because one of her ladies was a Yankee and the other was an American Loyalist.

In 1905, Ms. Jessie Williams bought a lot with a small house along the banks

of the Colorado River where she opened a brothel. She had a good understanding with local law enforcement and assured the law that her house was respectable and that she did not tolerate drunkards. Politicians and lawmen were welcome.

After she heard that a crusade against the red light district would be held, she purchased 10 acres just outside La Grange about two blocks from Hwy. 71E. This would mark the last location of the Chicken

Ranch. She sold her house in the red light district.

The original deed was in the name of Jessie Williams who purchased the property in 1917. Edna Milton Chadwell had joined the staff in 1952 and became the owner in 1961 after purchasing the property from Williams. Williams was in failing health at the time.

The closing of the famed bawdy house or “Chicken Ranch” was done by orders

from Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe after Mar-vin Zindler, a TV reporter from Houston brought it to the attention of the media.

Briscoe set Thursday morning Aug. 1, 1973 for both Edna’s Fashionable Ranch Boarding House and another house of ill-repute in Sealy to be closed. When people got to talking, they said that the bordellos might be mixed in with the Mafia or other organized crime.

DPS Director Col. Wilson Spier, the state’s top lawman, did say in a newspaper report that the DPS had at one time had their eyes on the Chicken Ranch, but could not find evidence that either of the bordellos were linked to organized crime.

Some of the local people said that they would sign petitions to show that locals wanted to see it stay open, but that went with the wind. Some even wanted a histori-cal marker placed at the site of the Chicken Ranch.

Why was it named the Chicken Ranch you ask?

Folklore has it this name came about during the depression years. When local youth came to the ranch,

Everybody Still Wants to Know About the Chicken Ranch


The three principal characters in the Chicken Ranch saga have all died: Fayette County Sheriff Jim Flournoy, last madam Edna Milton and Marvin Zindler, whose news reports led to closure of the bor-dello.

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they supposedly brought chickens from their farms as payment for the pleasures afforded. But according to other facts and statements from Ms. Jessie, she was upset the grand jury might try to investigate her, so she purchased 100 baby chicks and claimed her land was a poultry farm. Pick ei-ther one.

The Chicken Ranch’s last madam was Edna Milton who was there for almost 27 years. Milton contributed $10,000 to Fayette Memorial Hos-pital, donated $1,000 toward a new swimming pool and made donations regularly to many other charities, one of them the La Grange baseball program. In many reports of her goodness to the community, it was noted that she never received a thank you.

So back to Aug. 1, 1973 we go. It was reported in several newspapers, that on the day of closure, Marvin Zindler was on West Travis Street on the south side of the square.

He was beginning to film his news story. It was then that Sheriff Jim Flournoy came walking across the courthouse lawn and roughed Zindler up, even tearing off his toupée and throwing it on the ground. Zindler apparently had broken ribs and bruises.

Other newspapers reported that Sheriff Jim said he did not lay a hand on Zindler or destroy any of his property.

After the encounter between Zindler and Flournoy, a US District Court served a citation on Flournoy. All of a sudden, there was a $3 mil-lion dollar lawsuit stating that Flournoy attacked Zindler without provocation.

Zindler said he was filming a television story in La Grange. He wanted $1 million for personal injuries and treatment and damages and $2 mil-lion in punitive damages. Some elected officials immediately began a defense fund.

If you gave money, you received a bumper sticker that read “I am a Friend of Sheriff Jim.”

The lawsuit was settled and money leftover was given to charity.

Two lawyers from Houston bought the Chick-en Ranch building and land and in 1977 moved part of the building, in its original condition, to Dallas to open a restaurant named the Chicken Ranch.

The restaurant closed in January 1978. Sheriff Flournoy resigned in 1980 and died

in October of 1982. His funeral was attended by Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby and nearly 100 lawmen.

Zindler gained national notoriety from the case and was an investigative reporter on Houston television until his death in 2007.

The final of the three central figures in the case was Edna Milton Chadwell, who died Feb. 25, 2012 in Arizona at the age of 82.

Chicken Ranch Saga Now Four Decades Old, But Legend Lives On

Various items mentioning the Chicken Ranch era in La Grange can still be found in shops around town.



Lindemann Real Estate

www.lindemannrealestate.com821 E. Travis • La Grange, TX

[email protected]

VOTED BEST Real Estate Agent

In

FAYETTE COUNTY

Serving Fayette and Surrounding Counties for over 50 years!We are here to serve you with Courtesy, Integrity and Professionalism!

Katy Michalke

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Genealogy Library

Museums

Banquet Hall

Amphitheater

1890’s Czech Village

Vítáme Vás!

250 West Fairgrounds Road

888-785-4500

OPEN: Mon.-Fri. 10-4 Sat. 10-3 www.czechtexas.org

Some Interesting Facts About La Grange

• Sam Houston, as President of the Republic of Texas, vetoed a bill in 1838 making La Grange the State capitol. The area was to be named “Austin” and a square mile was to be set aside for a university. Instead, the town of Houston, founded in 1836 and named in his honor, continued to serve as the capital of the Re-public until it was later moved to present-day Austin.

• La Grange is home to many majestic oak trees, many of which grow in streets (watch out for them!)including the historic Muster Oak located on the town square. It is still in good health for an old-timer.

• The town is named after Marquis de Lafayette, a revolutionary war hero and his home in France near the Swiss border.

• As immigrants continued to pour into the area, by 1890 approximately 25 percent of the local popula-tion was foreign-born. La Grange boasted two foreign newspapers one – in Czech and another in German.

• Probably the best known chapter in relatively-recent La Grange history was the notorious Chicken Ranch, a brothel made famous by a stage play, movie and the lyrics of a popular song. It officially closed in 1973 and part of the one-story complex was eventu-ally hauled to Dallas. All that’s left these days is the legend and some fading memories.

– LouAnn AdcoxSince 1842 the Muster Oak in downtown La Grange has been used a rallying point for local soldiers to gather under before departing for battle in the Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War and the two World Wars. In years past, part of its trunk was fortified with concrete and the massive Live Oak is still standing strong. Photo by Russell Bennett


Fayette County is a pretty exciting place as this 120-page Visitors Guide may have indicated. If you’d like to keep updated on what’s going on here, twice every week, subscribe to the Fayette County Record. See why we’ve had four consecutive years of circulation growth and now sell 5,700 copies of each edition of our paper.

Call (979) 968-3155 to subscribe or visit our website www.fayettecountyrecord.com.By the way, the guy in the air is Fayette County native Nick Fajkus, who has made over 2,000 sky dives. This photo was taken by Nick Folis, who was jumping with Fajkus.

Yes this guy really is sky diving with a copy of the Fayette County Record, and that is almost as exciting as reading a copy. Almost ...

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Jill StueberOwner/Manager

Monday - Friday:Breakfast: 5-9 amLunch 10:30 am - 2 pmEvening 5 - 8 pm w/GrillSunday: Lunch 11 am - 2 pm

979.966.0500154 S. Jefferson

La Grange, TX 78945www.hanks-express.com

[email protected]

Soups Salads&

Sandwiches Wraps

Homeade Pies CasserolesCatering

Daily Hot Plate Specials

Grill Open Monday through Friday5 pm to 8 pm

Voted Best Homecooking in Fayette County

Burgers, Fries and suchNow Serving Breakfast

Drive Thru only5 - 9 am

Fun, Friendly Atmosphere

Friday Night Steak/Shrimp

Special


OPEN Thursdays through Saturdays ......10 - 4Sundays ................................................. Noon - 4Check website for holiday scheduling

ADMISSION General .............................................................$8Seniors & Students ..........................................$6Tours of 20+ when arranged in advance .....$6

140 West Colorado • La Grange, Texas • 78945 • Phone 979-968-3104 • Fax 979-968-6010 • [email protected] • www.TexasQuiltMuseum.org

Voted Best Museum in Fayette County!• BES

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Photo by Dana Waldon Photography

Photo by Gensler

Photo by Hester+Hardaway

APRIL 3-JUNE 29, 2014 “Butterfl ies and Their Beautiful Kin”

“An Invitational Flutter of Butterfl y Quilts”

“Antique Quilts from the Gundersheimer Collection”

JULY 3-SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 “Quilts from the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection”

“Pieced Perfection: Nine Divas from the 19th Century Patchwork Divas”

OCTOBER 2-DECEMBER 21, 2014 “Art Quilts from the John M. Walsh III Collection”

JANUARY 8-MARCH 29, 2015 “Selections from the Book 500 Traditional Quilts”

“Quilts: A World of Beauty Prizewinners 2014”

Upcoming Exhibit Schedule (as of press time)

What You’ll Find At The OnlyQuilt Museum In The Southwest • • •

Changing exhibits in three spacious, high-ceilinged galleries within meticulously restored 19th century buildings, winners of Preservation Texas and Main Street awards

A Museum store featuring quilt-themed products and artisan-created gifts

Quilts…History in the Making, a specially designed 13x85 foot outdoor mural painted by a well-known Texas muralist

Grandmother’s Flower Garden, a period “town” garden typical of Texas gardens between 1893-1930, planned to inspire creativity and contemplation

The Pearce Memorial Library and Material Culture Center, where research can take place in a quiet setting, and researchers can apply for a grant to conduct extended study (open by appointment)

Space for educational lectures and presentations

Like us on Facebook at Texas Quilt Museum, and follow us on Twitter @TXQuiltMuseum

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2014 fcr visitors guide

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