THE ROSE MARIE

HISTORIC LODGING

FAMILY TRADITION The Rose Marie

A NAME THAT EVERYONE IN TOWN USED TO KNOW, AND NOW WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER

By Emily Henderson Kaylee Vavra and her husband LB decided to take on a project back in the spring of 2020 when the house next door to her granny’s old home on Buck Street went up for sale. Kaylee’s granny, Rose Marie Valigura, lived in the neighboring home for 44 years and always kept a watchful eye on its residents. At one point her granny’s cousin even lived there and Mrs. Rose spent countless days in the swing on the front porch visiting with loved ones. Naturally, when the home became available it just felt right for Kaylee to continue on the tradition of caring for folks staying under that same roof. Built in 1938, The Rose Marie boasts three bedrooms and one bathroom, spanning across 1,370 square feet. It has three expansive porches, great for sitting and taking in the quaint town of Caldwell. Whether you’re visiting for Kolache Festival, Round Top antiquing, TAMU events, or just to spend time with Above, Kaylee Vavra, family, this downtown-adjacent period-co-owner of the property and granddaughter of Rose Marie, proudly displaying preserved home will feel like it’s wrapping its arms around you and warming your photos of her Valigura heart from the inside out … just like a trip grandparents, with her to grandma’s house. grandmother’s signature on display in the background. The rental property’s namesake was commonly referred to as the town granny. Being the co-owner of Valigura Food Market in Caldwell with her husband David until it was sold in the seventies, Mrs. Rose was a friendly face around town that everyone grew accustomed to seeing. Once CALDWELL, TEXAS | 22

the grocery store was sold, Mrs. Rose was always looking for ways to watch over the community and stay involved in serving and loving people. “She definitely lived up to her name – she was a true rose,” Kaylee reminisced.

Wanting to keep the house true to its era, Kaylee and her husband have tried to preserve as much of the home’s original charm while giving it the care and updating that it deserves. She has even decorated the house with some of her granny’s old personal items, truly transforming it into a welcoming space. Small special touches are another way Kaylee likes to honor her granny’s memory, always trying to find ways to make her guests’ stay feel personalized.

Bringing it all together is the property logo on display in the dining room, which is Granny Rose Marie’s actual signature.

You can often spot Kaylee and LB’s daughter, Paige, toddling around following her mom and dad as they turn the property over between guests, or as they use some vacant days to knock out another item on the list of improvements they wish to tackle. They like to think Granny Rose is still watching over each precious individual crossing that threshold, just as she did all those years before.

“This project is a homage to the sweet little lady who lived next door who left us with a legacy of love, devotion and family. I am so lucky to have a personal tie to this gorgeous place. I know that our guests will love our ‘Rose Marie’ just as we do and I am certain that she is smiling down on us all,” shared Kaylee.

The Rose Marie is located at 402 West Buck Street in Caldwell, and can be found on host sites Airbnb and VRBO.

HISTORIC LODGING

Top left, street view of The Rose Marie at 402 West Buck Street under plentiful shade trees; bottom left, the Vavras are ready to make your stay in Caldwell as comfortable as possible; above left, the Vavras soaking up some family time on the one of the three porches of The Rose Marie; above right, enjoy some front porch sittin’ in Caldwell, Texas!