La Grange and Beyond

Why La Grange?

For the convenience of quilt lovers around the world, the Texas Quilt Museum was built in the quaint town of La Grange, Texas. The city is located almost equidistant from Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, off two major highways (IH-10 and US 290), which places it within easy driving distance of major cities and airline hubs. Those three cities, along with Dallas and Fort Worth, are five of the 20 largest cities in the United States.

Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, San Antonio International Airport, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport offer numerous connections for international visitors who wish to visit the Museum. We are located just off the courthouse square in La Grange’s historic district.

Lively La Grange and neighboring towns offer plenty to see and do!

Visitors to the Texas Quilt Museum are often enchanted by the small-town charm of its home, La Grange, Texas, (pop. 4,923) and the picturesque countryside that surrounds it. Just a few steps from the Museum, you can uncover fascinating stories about the region and the people who settled there.

History and Culture

La Grange has a long, rich history dating back to when the first colonists, led by Stephen F. Austin (also known as the “Father of Texas”) settled in the town in the 1820s. German and Czech settlers came upon the rolling hills reminiscent of their homeland and decided to stay. Their cultural influence remains imprinted on the town today.

For more information on Czech history, the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center 250 W Fair Grounds Rd offers a library, museum, and genealogy research center with more than 10,000 Czech and English books. The Czech immigrants incorporated different aspects of their culture into the town of La Grange, perhaps the most apparent being the architecture of the buildings standing in the town square. The settlers also introduced a town favorite treat- the kolache!

Kolaches are often confused with klobasnek; the kolache being a sweet treat while the klobasnek is savory. Originally intended as a wedding dessert in Central Europe, the puff of pastry holds a hearty dollop of fruit or sweetened cream cheese filling at its center. The klobasnek resembles a “pig in a blanket” filled with meat and cheese. One thing is for sure- no trip to the Hill Country is complete without trying a kolache!

Weikel’s BakerySource: Flickr/ User RachelOne of the best spots to grab a kolache is Weikel’s Bakery at 2247 TX-71. The roots of the famous bakery date back to 1929, when the Weikel family began their adventure in the business world with the opening of the Bon Ton Restaurant. When they sold the restaurant in 1985, the family turned their attention to creating a convenience store and bakery specializing in kolaches that travelers rave about! Don’t worry- you don’t have to squeeze every flavor into one trip… Weikel’s will ship these goodies anywhere in the country!

Courthouse History

In the center of the La Grange Town Square sits the current Fayette County Courthouse at 151 N Washington St. This courthouse is the fourth structure to house county business since 1838.

The first courthouse was a $250 house/grocery store that was moved to the public square and used for 10 years. The second courthouse was a two-story wooden structure with a bell that served until 1855 when it was replaced with a stone structure that stood for 45 years. The existing three-story Romanesque Revival building began in 1890, with construction completed in 1891.

Around the Square

Across the town square, you can find the famous Muster Oak. Located at the corner of N. Washington and W. Colorado Streets near the Fayette County Courthouse, the Muster Oak is a historic gathering point for La Grange militia and other military members since the 1840s.

The first group to muster under this tree were the 36 Texans who signed up under Captain Nicolas Mosby Dawson in September 1842 to fight against an invasion of Mexican soldiers near San Antonio. Since then, military personnel from six conflicts have gathered under the Muster Oak before going off to war.

On South Main Street, just behind the southwest corner of the Fayette County Courthouse Square, visitors can find the La Grange Chamber of Commerce on 220 W Colorado St. housed in the historic old Fayette County Jail.

Constructed in 1883 of native stones, the Chamber of Commerce’s Victorian Gothic architecture was built to resemble a European cathedral. The jail was in active use until 1985, housing famous bandits, including two members of Bonnie and Clyde’s gang who robbed the nearby Carmine Bank. After renovation, the building
reopened to the public in 1995, and now contains a small museum of law enforcement memorabilia.

Before the jail became inactive, it was the office site of the most famous sheriff of Fayette County, Jim Fluornoy, who served during the closure of the infamous Chicken Ranch brothel.  During the Great Depression, proprietor Miss Edna began accepting chickens as currency for “favors” —thus, the name. The Chicken Ranch conducted business in plain sight of local law enforcement (with whom the girls cooperated by providing crime tips) from 1905 until its closure in 1973.

Scattered remains of the brothel buildings are on private property on the outskirts of La Grange today, so this is not a tourist destination, but merely a point of historical interest. The story of Miss Edna Milton and her girls has been fictionalized in the musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a film of the same name starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. There is also the 1973 hit song, “La Grange,” by the “that little old band from Texas,” ZZ Top.

Sights Around Town

Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic SitesSource: Flickr/ User Russell J Bennett

Monument Hill State Park is 40-acres of land on a bluff overlooking La Grange just off of U.S. Highway 77. The state park is home to the site of Monument Hill, the grounds on which the war to keep Texas free was fought. Also housed in the park are the ruins of Kreische Brewery, one of Texas’ first commercial breweries, established by German immigrant Heinrich Kreische in 1860. By 1879, Kreische Brewery was the third-largest beer brewing operation in the state.  

Visitors will also find the ruins of The N. W. Faison House and Museum on 822 South Jefferson St. now on the National Register of Historic Places. As one of the oldest homes in Fayette County, it contains many of the original furnishings of the Faison family who occupied the residence for nearly 90 years. In 1870, Nathaniel W. Faison, a military hero and benefactor of the emancipated African-American community, deeded the home to Louisiana Brown, making it one of the first residences in Texas to be owned by a freedwoman.

Guided tours are available to for visitors, with more information on the Texas State Park Page.

A restored 1897 railroad depot at South Washington and Lafayette Streets once housed waiting rooms and an office for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, which offered passenger service until the 1950s and carried freight into the 1970s. Today, it
is the site of the M-K-T-Railroad Museum that includes the original potbelly stove, a stationmaster’s desk, a safe and historic photographs. (Open Thursday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

The Texas Heroes Museum is located just off the south side of the downtown square. This beautiful Victorian Gothic stone building had been the Fayette County Jail from 1883 to 1985.  When the new county jail was opened, the Old Jail was in bad shape.  Local citizens collected donations to repair the building, and their names are in stones in the sidewalk.  The building was opened again in 1995 as the office for the Chamber of Commerce and the La Grange Visitors Center.  When the Visitors Center moved to the newly restored Historic Casino Hall in September 2016, the Old Jail became available to house a museum to honor Texans who have served and sacrificed to win and preserve freedom and liberty.
 
The Texas Heroes Museum has three main features.  First, it is a historic, beautiful building that includes portions of one of the original jail cells.  Second, it is a tribute to the men and women who sacrificed to create this great state.  Third, it is the home of the Bob Lain Memorial Library.  Bob was a Texas Hero who lost his legs in Vietnam.  His 868 books on military history are the nucleus of an ever-growing reference library.  (Open Fridays 1pm-4pm; Saturdays 10am-4pm; Sundays 1pm-4pm)

Dining Options

All of this sightseeing is bound to work up an appetite, but no matter where you’re visiting in Fayette County, excellent food is never far. We suggest trying some of these extraordinary restaurants!

If you’re a fan of caffeine, you can’t miss Latte Café at 219 W. Travis St.! All coffee, tea, and espresso are fresh! Their menu has a range of espresso and coffee drinks, as well as a variety of flavors (like hazelnut and lavender!) and milks to personalize each drink. If you’re not a coffee person, cocoa, tea, smoothies, and juice are also available! Latté on the Square also serves pastries and lunch!

Ere’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria at 108 S Main St. is small but mighty. This Italian bistro serves everything from pasta to pizza and is sure to make everyone in your party happy. Lunch, and dinner is available at Ere’s. Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 11 am - 8:30 pm (They don’t serve alcohol.) But adjacent to the restaurant is The Crown Bar serving a wide array of wines and crafted cocktails. Hours: Tuesday - Thursday: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday: 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Back Porch BBQ is a hot spot for some of the best meat in town, all seasoned with homemade rub and sauce. Munch on some frickles (their version of fried pickles) while you wait for you specially made burger or loaded tacos. Salads and spuds are also available!

The motto at Royer’s Round Top Cafe at 105 Main St. is “Eat Mo’ Pie!” and when you see the list of mouthwatering confections offered by owner Bud “the Pieman” Royer, you’ll understand why. Strawberry rhubarb, key lime, cherry, pumpkin, sweet-and-salty chocolate, and the fruit-filled junkberry pie are only a few of the highlights! If you want to feed more than your sweet tooth, try the grilled shrimp BLT on a jalapeno sourdough bun. (P.S. Bud ships whole pies.)

Taqueria Rio Verde on 1330 N Jefferson St. is located on the edge of town, but you won’t want to miss it! Famous for its breakfast burritos and generous servings, visitors have nothing but praise for this roadside restaurant. Taqueria Rio Verde has combination plates, specials, and the best part is… everything on the menu is under $10! The experience can’t be beat.

Special Savings for our TQM patrons!

Mention that you’re in La Grange to visit the Texas Quilt Museum, to the good folks at Best Western Inn & Suites and receive 15% off your stay!  Give them a call then…stay & play!  979-968-6800

We’re sure this guide to the area has demonstrated that there’s more to the Texas Hill Country—culturally, historically, and socially—than just a handful of sleepy little villages. We hope you make the most of your visit!