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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 116-page Visitors Guide). There are world class musical offerings at Round Top’s Festival Hill and La Grange’s Bugle Boy. You can watch Shakespeare in a theater
barn 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 contrast 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 magazine makes you feel welcome to explore all Fayette County has to offer. Jeff Wick, Editor Fayette County Record
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On The Cover: The photo featured on the front cover is St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill, one of the famous painted churches in Fayette County. Photo courtesy of Christina Pereyda.
Fayette County at a Glance Population – Change fm 2010 – Area (sq.mi.) – Land area (sq.mi.) – Altitude (ft.) – Rainfall (in.) – Jan. avg. min. – July avg. max. – Civilian labor – Unemployed % – Per Capita Inc. – Prop. Value – Retail Sales –
24,821 1.1% 959.8 950.0 200–590 38.61 39.2 95.5 13,434 3.9 $45,338 $4,843,484,643 $356,339,866
Physical Features: South central county bisected by Colorado River; Fayette County Reservoir; rolling to level; sandy loam, black waxy soils. Economy: Agribusiness, production of electricity, mineral production, government/services, small manufacturing, tourism. History: Lipan Apaches and Tonkawas. Austin’s colonists arrived in 1822. Germans and Czechs began arriving in 1840s. County created from Bastrop, Colorado counties, 1837; organized, 1838; named for hero of American Revolution, Marquis de Lafayette. Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 72.7; Black, 6.8; Hispanic, 19.6; Asian, 0.4; Other, 2.3.
Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 218; deaths, 315; marriages, 140; divorces, 87. Recreation: Monument Hill, Kreische brewery, Faison Home Museum, other historic sites including the Painted Churches; hunting, fishing, lake; German and Czech ethnic foods; Prazska Pout in August, Octoberfests.
Major Cities: LA GRANGE (4,781) County seat; electric-power generation, varied manufacturing, tourism; Schulenburg (2,974) manufacturing, food processing; festival in August; Round Top (99) music center, tourism; antiques shows; Winedale (67), historic
restorations; Carmine (269); Ellinger (386), Fayetteville (280) tourism, antiques, Lickskillet festival in October; Flatonia (1,462) food production, cattle ranching; rail history museum, Czhilispiel in October.
Minerals: Oil, gas, sand, gravel, bentonite clay. Agriculture: Beef cattle, corn, hay, sorghum, pecans, dairies. Market value $66.4 million. Firewood sold. Education: Five public school districts, three private schools,one junior college.
Published every Tuesday and Friday, except the publication immediately following Christmas, by Fayette County Record, Inc. Serving Fayette County since 1922. Locally owned by the Barton family since 1976. (USPS 188-440) 127 S. Washington, P.O. Box 400, La Grange, Texas 78945. Telephone: 979-968-3155; Fax: 979-968-6767 Email: editor@fayettecountyrecord.com; www.fayettecountyrecord.com
Publisher
Recreation: Golf courses (2), State Parks (1), City Parks (13), Museums (18), Art galleries (12). Transportation: Bus service via Capital Area Rural Transit. Hospital: St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange (979-242-2200) is a general medical and surgical hospital with 44 beds. Airport: Fayette Regional Air Center; 850 Airport Road, La Grange; 979242-4056;
Regina Barton Keilers Editor Jeff Wick News and Office H.H. Howze Andy Behlen Lou Ann Adcox Hertha Kruse Accounting Nonnie Barton Joy Skelton
Advertising Director Becky Weise Classified Advertising Jackie Daniels Graphic Design John Castaneda Tara Childs Bobby Bedient
Circulation Theresia Karstedt Jo Ann Mueller Bennie Vasek George Kana Leigh Ann Bedient Flor Merlos
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Fayette County: Year $47.00; Elsewhere in Texas $55.00; Out of State $60.00. Special Rates for Senior Citizens: In county, $42; in Texas $50; US $55. For digital subscriptions via internet, go to www.fayettecountyrecord.com
The annual 4th of July Parade in Round Top is the oldest continuous Independence Day Celebration West of the Mississippi River. The Round Top celebration dates back to 1851.
Fayette Fun All-Year Round
By LUCY CARR No matter the time of year, you can find a festival to interest you here in Fayette County Here’s a partial list of our annual events:
MARCH
• Flatonia Spring Market Day, March 28 2015, with arts & craft vendors, good food, Texas Independence Relay, chalk art and music • 2nd Annual Schulenburg Sausagefest, March 28 2015. Sausage cookoff, arts and crafts and live music.
APRIL
• National Society of Artists Opening Reception, April 11, 5 -7 p.m. Ross Gallery, Fayetteville • Spring 2015 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. From March 20 to April 5. (Also takes place in October 2015).
• 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. Riders spend Saturday night at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in La Grange. Day Two starts at the fairgrounds and ends at the State Capitol. April 18-19. * 12th Annual Poetry Forum, Festival Hill, April 17-19. • Flatonia Crawfest. Crawfish, shrimp and more, music and dancing. April 18.
MAY
• Art Walk 2015, twoday fine art show, sponsored by Arts for Rural Texas. Fayetteville Square, May 2-3. • Round Top’s Spring Wine Fest, May 9. • May Fest (Slavnost) at Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. A tribute to the immigrants, 10am. Live Music, 12 – 4 p.m. Car Show, noon meal and more. May 17.
Events Calendar, continued next page
La Grange
Event-Full
No matter the time of year, you can find a festival to interest you here in Fayette County Events Calendar continued from previous page
MAY
• Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival. Great classical masterworks performed by international performers at the historic Country Place Hotel on the Fayetteville square. May 8-9, 15-16. • Tomato Festival, Ellinger. May 29-31. • Annual Memorial Day ceremony, 10 a.m. May 25. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home, La Grange. • Flatonia American Legion Memorial Day Service, May 24. • Round Top Music Festival May 31 to July 12, Round Top Festival Institute
JUNE
• Good Old Summertime Classic Bike Ride First Sunday June 7, Starts in Historic Fayetteville 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 13. Courthouse Square, La Grange. • Juneteenth Parade & Celebration, always the weekend nearest June 19, La Grange • Flatonia Freedom Fest, June 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Parade, Arts & Crafts Market, Wing Fling Cookoff.
•Fayetteville City Wide Garage Sale, Second Weekend of July. 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 rodeo, live music, great food, and a fun run.Wolters Park, July 31-Aug. 2.
AUGUST
Blasmusik Texas Concert Aug. 1, Round Top Rifle Association Hall. The 45-piece Texas All State German band entertain the crowds with polkas and waltzes from German, Czech, Alsatian and Austrian roots.
Events Calendar, continued next page
JULY
• Round Top 4th of July Parade, oldest continuous Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi River.
A couple strolls through the Monument Hill Trail of Lights.
La Grange
Fayette County Annual Events Calendar Events Calendar continued from previous page
AUGUST
• Fayette County Sheriff’s Posse Bull Riding and Rodeo Event, Sheriff’s Posse Arena, La Grange, Aug. 7-10.
SEPTEMBER
• Fayette County Fair, La Grange, always Labor Day weekend. Music, dances, livestock shows, home ec exhibits, cookoffs, softball tournament. Sep. 3-6. •Patriot Day Ceremony, Saturday, September 12, 2015, 8:30am, Fayette County Courthouse, La Grange. •Texas Heroes Day, Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, La Grange. Sept. 19 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Free Admission. •Schützenfest, September 20, Round Top Rifle Hall. Dinner, dancing and the crowning of the crackshot König (king) are the highlights of this target-shooting competition, dating back to 1965. •Fayetteville Antiques on the Square, Sept. 19-29, Fayetteville’s Historic Town Square.
OCTOBER
• Heritage Fest & Muziky, Oct. 16 - Octoberfest on the Deck. Oct. 17- Biegarten with music, heritage demonstrations, craft venders, antique farm equipment show & antique car show, museum and village tours, Musiky in the Amphitheater 7 – 9.30 p.m, followed by fireworks finale. • Fall Antiques Festival in Round Top and surrounding communities. Nationally recognized as one of the largest antiques events in America, drawing thousands of dealers
to tents, fields and buildings from Fayetteville to Burton. Late September 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. 23-25, 2015 •3rd Annual OktoBierFest, Oct. 24 Round Top Rifle Association Hall • Lickskillet Festival, Fayetteville. Polka music, barbecue cookoff, street dance, parade, queen’s pageant. Oct. 17-18. • Trick-or-Treat on the La Grange Square, Oct. 30, 4 p.m. Free trick-or-treating for children in daylight hours around the courthouse square.
NOVEMBER • Schulenburg Holiday Arts & Crafts Show, Nov. 8, Arts & Crafts • Praha Veterans’ Day Events, Nov. 8. At Praha Cemetery; Mass, Memorial Service and Meal
DECEMBER
• Schmeckenfest, La Grange’s Old World Christmas celebration on the courthouse square. Sample wassail from participating merchants. German dancing, bell choirs, carolling, booths. Dec. 3, 5 p.m. •Flatonia C of C Wonderful Winter Winewalk. Dec. 4, 5-9 p.m. •Santa’s Party In the Park, Schulenburg, Friday Dec. 4. •Trail of Lights, Dec. 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19, 6-8 p.m. Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, La Grange. Admission fee required. • Christmas on the Square, Round Top, Dec. 5. Parade, entertainment, homemade stew and Santa. • Fayetteville Country Christmas & Historical Homes Tour, Second Saturday of December. A once-a-year chance to see inside some of many historic homes in Fayetteville, which is designated on the National Register of Historic Towns.
FEBRUARY
• Valentines 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 26 & 27, 2016.
MARCH
Wreaths await their placement on the graves of Texas Revolutionary soldiers during the Texas Heroes Day event at Monument Hill State Park in La Grange. Photo by Jeff Wick
• Best Little Cowboy Gathering in Texas, 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’. •La Grange Uncorked, Third Saturday in March, Courthouse Square, Wine and food festival. March 19, 2016
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La Grange
The Texas Quilt Museum and adjacent garden in downtown La Grange.
Photo by Andy Behlen
Museums Abound in Fayette County By LUCY CARR and H. H. HOWZE
F
ayette County is filled with a museum for just about every interest. Seeking genealogical information? Check with the extensive records in the Fayette Heritage Museum Archives of the Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. Are you a railroad buff? Visit the La Grange Depot Museum or in Flatonia, the Flatonia Rail Park and Central Texas Rail History Center. Music and decorative arts your thing? The International Festival Institute Library and Museum near Round Top will ring your bell. Does architecture of the 19th century appeal? Go to Winedale near Round Top, 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-oldplus homes folks are still living in all over
the county.) Interested in local, county and Texas settlement history? Try the Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum, Round Top Historical Society and E.A. Arnim Archive and Museum (Flatonia). Model airplanes? The Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum in Schulenburg. In short, there is a museum in our county for almost anyone. Just check out the times, fees and directions below. • Central Texas Rail History Museum: Artifacts, photos and documents. 104 E. South Main, Flatonia, hours: Friday 1:003:00, Saturday 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00, or by appointment (713) 524-1750. • Depot Museum and M-K-T Railroad Depot 260 North Washington Street Learn the history of the local railroads and their importance to the area by touring
a railcar packed with artifacts and original furnishings. Active track right outside! Saturday 10am-4pm (except on holidays) • Old Fayette County Jail The La Grange Visitors Bureau is now housed in the old jail, with its links to Bonnie and Clyde, and its ghostly spirits said to still haunt the place. Tours are available during bureau opening hours. Visitors Bureau, 171 South Main, La Grange, open Monday – Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday noon-5 p.m. • Round Top Historical Society Memorabilia, historical books, records and genealogy. 397 E. Mill Street, Round Top. http://roundtopareahistoricalsociety. weebly.com Open free to the public the 2nd Saturday of each month, noon to 3 p.m., or by appointment (979) 249-5058. More Museums, next page
La Grange
Fayette County Museum Listings, Continued • Texas Quilt Museum Showcasing the finest examples of traditional and art quilting from around the world. Exhibits change every three months. 140 W. Colorado 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 www.texasquiltmuseum.org • Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) Includes the Texas Czech Music Museum, the Czech Village of historic homes and the Texas Czech Agricultural Museum, opened in October 2014. The TCHCC is located north of La Grange on Highway 77 by the County Fairgrounds. (888) 7854500. www.czechtexas.org • Festival Institute, Library & Museum American furniture, china, paintings, music and archives of Texas composer David R. Guion; the Anders Gustav Fredrick & Josephine Oxehufwud Collection of three centuries of Swedish Decorative Arts. Dedicated to music, arts and humanities. Preserves rare books, manuscripts, photographs, recordings and art; the personal library of former Texas State Librarian, Dr. Dorman Winfrey. Concert hall built by local craftsmen. Performances by international artists and musicians. 248 Jaster Rd. off State Highway 237, Round Top. Phone: (979) 249-3129 Web: www.festivalhill.org E-mail: info@festivalhill.org 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 Music Museum Dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of polka music in Texas by honoring Texas polka bands and musicians of Czech, German and Polish ancestry. Located at 625 North Main in downtown Schulenburg, across the street from the Chamber of Commerce. 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 airplanes. See the “Barn” where the early work was done by the Stanzels. 311 Baumgarten St., Schulenburg (Off U.S. 77). Phone: (979) 743-6559 Web: www.stanzelmuseum.org E-mail: museum@stanzelmuseum.org Open: Monday, Wednesday Friday, and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum History of Fayetteville area. Home of the Teddy Schultz model trains & railroads collection, plus history of the Baca Band
and local church artifacts. 119 W. Washington on the Square in Fayetteville Phone: (979) 877 5290, email fayettevillemuseum@yahoo.com. Oepn Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday to Friday by appointment. • 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, email bandit1934@att.net • Fayette Heritage Museum Archives Rotating 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: library@cityoflg.com Open: TuesdayThursday, 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. More Museums, next page
The old Fayette County Jail serves as the La Grange Visitors Bureau.
La Grange
The beautifully preserved M-K-T train depot in downtown La Grange has been turned into a museum honoring local rail history. It’s open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photo by Russell Bennett
Fayette County Museum Listings, Continued • 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. to 12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. Call for special tour.
erans Museum. A separate barn contains a country life collection with a complete farm kitchen and a wide array of vehicles and farm implements.101 E. North Main, Flatonia Phone: (361) 865-3455 E-mail: arnimmuseum@att.net; www.arnimmuseum.org; Open: Thursday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m., or by appointment.
• E.A. Arnim Archives & Museum The museum documents the early history and continuing development of Flatonia and the surrounding communities. The ground floor showcases goods and furnishings from early Flatonia homes, businesses, clubs, schools and churches, while the second floor houses the Flatonia area Vet-
• Texas Basketball Museum A treasury of Texas basketball memorabilia ranging from Shaquille O’Neal’s high school jersey to early basketballs and scoreboards. It opened in 2009. A Hall of Fame Room details exploits of famous Texas prep basketball players. The museum is run by Bob Springer, a former
college basketball player and coach, who now publishes Texas Basketball magazine. Many items in the museum Springer collected himself over the past 40 years. Located in Carmine 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 early settlers to the area, 631 N. 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.
La Grange
Las Fuentes Mexican Restaurant & Bar
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La Grange
Once used as storage space, the interior atrium of the courthouse has been restored to its original glory.
Restored Courthouse a Must-See In La Grange
T
he Fayette County Courthouse is the heart of the downtown La Grange historic district. Here’s a look at some of the history of the 124-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 celebration with dining and dancing, attended by about 2,000 people, went on into the early hours of the next day.
The exterior of the Fayette County courthouse as seen from the east.
The three-story building is a masonry and stone Romanesque 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 horizontal 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 American 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 offices in 1949, was reclaimed during the restoration of the courthouse and now is filled with plants and a fountain. The courtroom, 85-feet by 42-feet in size, is shaped like a half moon and has been used as a set for several movies, including “Michael” featuring John Travolta. The upper courtroom gallery can seat 500 people. When the Fayette County Commissioners’ Court formally accepted the new building on December 1, 1891, the total cost
was $99,407.04. Funding for the construction 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. After a complete restoration, the Fayette 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 Saturdays.
La Grange
The annual Flag Day celebration on the courthouse square in La Grange is just one of several events that use scenic downtown La Grange as its setting. Photo by Jeff Wick
More Than Just a Day-trip
Plan Your Weekend Getaway to La Grange By KORIN BURNETT
Executive Director, LG Area Chamber of Commerce
La Grange may only be just a short drive from Austin, San Antonio or Houston, but it sure feels worlds apart. It’s a quaint town where driving to the medical center on the other side of town takes just a few minutes and “navigating downtown” means walking around the square. La Grange gives visitors the best of both worlds. We have all the joys of a small town with the quality restaurants, accommodations, attractions and shopping you would expect from a big city – just none of the traffic! So, when you get here, turn off your GPS and put the hustle and bustle of the city to rest while you visit this sophisticated small town in the heart of central Texas. The courthouse square in La Grange is surrounded by a mix of offices, retail shops and restaurants. Visitors will find stores on
and near the square offering gifts, home décor items, clothing and antiques. The downtown square isn’t just all shopping, though. It is also home to the internationally renowned Texas Quilt Museum, the Southwest’s only quilt museum, as well as the Railroad Depot museum just next door. Art lovers and crafters will find further inspiration in the nearby galleries and craft stores. The square is full of history and architectural beauty, the focal point of which is the magnificent courthouse. Walk around the grounds to discover all sorts of facts about La Grange and its people – from the Muster Oak to the markings of past floods. Are you an outdoor enthusiast or adventure seeker? Look no further! The Colorado River runs through La Grange with public access just blocks from downtown. Kayaking, fishing and tubing can’t be beat on this river. If golf is more your thing, we also have a beautiful golf
course not far from downtown. Hit the bike trails in La Grange with twelve scenic mapped bike routes ranging 18.5 miles to 60 miles. Whether you are practicing for your next ride or simply want to enjoy the fresh air of Fayette County, you will find that La Grange has the distance you are looking for. (La Grange is also the overnight stopping point for the annual MS150 bike ride so we are used to seeing people roll by on two wheels!) Perhaps the Texas Independence Wine Trail is more your speed. Enjoy the beautiful wines of south central Texas and “declare your independence from ordinary wine” at one of 8 area wineries. Once you have filled your cup, it’s time to fill your plate. La Grange offers a variety of tasty culinary creations sure to please even the most demanding palates. From Texas faContinued on next page
La Grange
Quilts to Trains, History to Fine Food, La Grange Has It Continued from previous page
vorites like chicken fried steak and barbecue, to more sophisticated bistro dining, you are sure to be satisfied. After playing all day, you’ll need somewhere to stay. Whether you need a modern room equipped with the latest technology and easy highway access or are looking for a quaint bed and breakfast, visitors to La Grange will find accommodations to suit most every desire. La Grange’s nightlife is pretty low key, but you came for a break from the hustle and bustle, after all. A peaceful evening stroll around downtown, enjoying the illuminated buildings by night, may be all you need to relax after a full day of discovering La Grange. But if you are looking for some musical variety, try
the Bugle Boy listening room, a music venue that attracts class acts all year round. And if you come during one of our annual festivals, such as La Grange Uncorked or the Fayette County Fair on Labor Day weekend, then be prepared for more lively entertainment! So, be good to yourself and plan a getaway to La Grange. Whether you’re enthusiastic about Texas History or a quilt enthusiast, a music lover or lover of the outdoors; our picture-perfect Central Texas town, with strong Czech-German heritage, serves up a slice of the good life – small town style. Need help planning your next weekend away? Contact the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce (979) 968-5756 or go to www.lagrangetx.org.
Home Decor,Tableware,
Gifts for Brides to Babies
and everything in between
Fabulous apparel for all ages Schmeckenfest is an annual holiday-themed event in La Grange that centers around a wassail-making competition where visitors vote for their favorite brew.
979-968-9100
On the square in La Grange
La Grange
Monument Hill State Park Showcases Nature, History
S
ituated on a bluff overlooking the Colorado River, this beautiful 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 inside the park commemorating heroes of the Texas War for Independence, including 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 executed, 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.
ST. MARK’S MEDICAL CLINIC - FLATONIA Judy Vire, RN, FNP, BC.........................361-865-3302 FAMILY PRACTICE (*Including Pediatrics) Laura Birnbaum, MD*.......................979-542-9000 Debra Irwin, MD.................................979-968-2000 Teresa Kinsfather, DO......................979-542-4357 Bill D. Nolen, DO.................................979-242-5878 La Grange Family Health....................979-968-8493 Giddings Family Health......................979-542-7400 Hossain Ashraf, DO* Wess Blackwell, MD* Thomas Borgstedte, DO Wm. Mike McBroom, MD Schulenburg Clinic................................979-743-3520 Michelle James, MD* Donald Kocurek, MD Lindsey E. Tijerina, MD Pam Slaton, FNP
Texas Heroes Day is an annual event at the park on the Saturday closest to September 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 continue 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.
CARDIOLOGY Austin Heart Clinic...............................979-242-5677 Phillip E. Burket, MD Long Cao, MD Paul Pagley, MD Matthew Selmon, MD, FACC David Tschopp, MD, FACC Srinath Vemuri, MD Stanley Wang, MD, JD, MPH Suzanne Wetherold, MD
NEUROLOGY/NEUROSURGERY Herbert Edmundson, MD................713-772-4600 William H. Fleming, MD...................713-772-4600 Byron Neely, MD...............................979-968-6500 J. Bradley White, MD, PhD.................800-793-9106
ALLERGY Paul Jantzi, MD....................................800-362-9633
HOSPITALIST William Torkildsen, MD.....................979-242-2200
OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY Michael DiClemente, MD.................979-242-2883 Shannon Juno, MD.............................979-968-2700
PODIATRY Paul Gee, DPM....................................979-242-2205 Gerald Zeringue, DPM.....................512-447-2025
UROLOGY David W. Freidberg, MD...................512-341-2200 David Phillips, MD..............................512-443-5988 Steven H. Pickett, MD........................512-416-0444 Peter Ruff, MD...................................512-416-0444
PEDIATRICS Crystal Banks, MD..............................979-542-0710 Amy Jatzlau, MD.................................979-542-0710 ORTHOPEDICS Sandy Bahm, MD...............................979-242-2205 Russell Clark, MD................................979-242-2387
EAR, NOSE & THROAT Andrew L. deJong, MD.......................877-377-4368 Paul Fulmer, MD.................................512-656-1196 Thomas Salzer, MD............................979-680-8808 Steven Wright, MD.............................979-680-8808
DERMATOLOGY Daniel Ladd, Jr., DO...........................512-451-0139
GENERAL SURGERY Russell Juno, MD................................979-968-2700 General & Laparoendoscopic Surgeons of Central Texas..................979-242-5605 Albert L. Chorens, MD Anant Praba, MD Daniel A. White, MD
979.242.2200 One St. Mark’s Place | La Grange, Texas Located just North of La Grange on Hwy. 77
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ST. MARK’S PHYSICIANS, CALL 979.242.2205.