advertising index Ace Hardware Page 4 Hearne Chamber of Commerce Page 5 Wilson Drug & Gifts Page 5 Mikes Wrecker Page 7 Robertson County Bank Page 7 Camp Hearne Page 7 Franklin Lodging Page 8 Robertson County News Page 8 Franklin Advocate Page 8 Robertson County Printing Page 9 CarQuest Page 9 Toodies BBQ Page 9 Oaktree Inn Page 9 Te-Jo’s Page 10 Penny’s Diner Page 10 K&H Signs Page 11 Joyce Johnson Page 12 Wilson Drug & Gifts page 14 First Star Bank Page 16
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Robertson County Living is published quarterly by the Robertson County Living. RCL offers readers a positive perspective of Robertson County as well as providing the information they need about our restaurants, hotels, arts and businesses. Your business can can reach these visitors through advertising in this magazine. Call 979-279-3411 and ask for Teresa. Advertising in this magazine is effective and affordable. 3,000 copies distributed quarterly.
The Cavitt House
History in the Making
Page 3
Not just your average convenience store
Page 6
FRANKLIN
COUNTRY DONUTS
Page 7
New Baden General Store
A handful of purpose
A step back worth taking. Page 9
Page 10
Discover Robertson County Area-Wide Attractions on Page 15
ON THE COVER P D P |R hoto by
ennis
hillips
obertson
County Living.
The Historic Cavitt House in Wheelock, Texas. Robertson County Living is available online at
2 Robertson County Living • Winter 2015 • Vol. 4 #1
www.robconews.com
This magazine is a free publication published by Robertson County Publishing LP. Feel free to take this copy, we will restock as needed. 979-279-3411
History in the Making
The Cavitt House Wheelock Texas is a small community steeped in a rich history. In the 1830’s it was considered as a location for the Capital and University of Texas. Sadly Austin won out the
competition for both but Wheelock has its own historic gem that is being restored, The Cavitt House. The Cavitt house was established during the time of the Texas Revolution and Sam Houston was a frequent resident. The ante-bellum Cavitt Mansion was built by Ann Cavitt and her family on 300 acres of the Sterling Robertson Grant near the town of Wheelock. The house was designed by a Mr. Charleton, a New England architect, who was traveling through the area. Construction began in 1845 and was completed in
1854. The three-story mansion contained eleven rooms. Woodwork, cornices, balustrades and mantle pieces were hand carved of cypress and pine. Door latches, hinges and square nails as well as the glass for the windows were made on site. The six fireplaces were fashioned of pink brick and ironstone. The house served as a staging point on the Old Spanish Road, linking San Antonio with Nacogdoches. Among the prominent visitors was Sam Houston, a longtime friend of the Cavitt Family. Adjacent to the mansion is the two-story cedar log cabin built in 1836 by the Cavitt family slaves. The cabin has a
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ERICA MATYSIAK-WALTON
Robertson County Living
Cavitt House owners Becky Currie Nichols and husband Jerry.
band Jerry into a restaurant and bed and breakfast. It has always been Becky’s dream to own and restore
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Becky has lots of plans for the Cavitt house, including holding events, hay rides, and re-inactments. lower room with a fireplace and an upper sleeping loft. The cabin was protected by a series of gun ports. Today it is being restored by Robertson county residents Becky Currie Nichols and her hus-
the Cavitt House. When she was a little girl growing up her parents would drive through Wheelock and she would see the old fashioned big story three story house with a log cabin. Like most young girls she
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Dennis Phillips | Robertson County Living
The lush grounds of the Cavitt House has many historic features including this building which is still in various stages of rennovation and restoration.
could picture fine ladies in vintage dress carrying umbrellas and strolling through the grounds. Her dream included men playing horse shoes, butter being churned, jelly being made, quilting circles. At that moment she promised herself that one day the beautiful home would be hers. Through hard work and help from friends and family Becky’s dream is finally coming true. Presently the Nichols are doing a stunning job on the restoration. Located in historic Wheelock this two-story ante-bellum mansion is a beautiful gem complete with the feeling that one is stepping back in time and surrounded by his-
tory. The property has two significant structures, the Cavitt house and small historic log cabin which is being restored into a guest house that will sleep six. They hope to also eventually add additional cabins to the grounds. The interior of the main house itself is beautiful from the original wood floors; open lighting of the picture windows and antique furniture. The attic has two large rooms and a full bath. Becky plans to restore the home to its earlier glory so that younger generations may experience the history of a time long forgotten. The exterior of this charming home is breath taking with grand columns
and a wrap around porch complete with wooden rockers for relaxing. The grounds are immaculate and give a serene sense of piece to visitors. Becky has lots of plans for the Cavitt house, including holding events, hay rides, and reinactments. This historic home is listed on the Library of Congress and is the perfect place for a B&B/ restaurant. The estimated date of opening is in Spring 2015. I highly recommend that anyone looking for beauty and history take time to check out this historic treasure nestled in the heart of Robertson County. Robertson County Living • Winter 2015 • Vol. 4 #1
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Not just your average convenience store Everyday Low Gas Prices
1870 Hwy 79 West Franklin, Texas (979) 828-0031 Photo
by J essie W alton
| Roberton Conty Living
Mudd Creek owners David Destefano, David Archibald, Brian Stallones and Daniel Anderson.
ERICA MATYSIAK-WALTON
Robertson County Living
The new Mudd Creek station and Chophouse recently opened and is a wonderful addition to a growing community. The store is ready to service the residents of Franklin and Robertson County. Conveniently located right off of HWY 79 between Hearne and Franklin it offers friendly speedy services with lots of amenities. The store is named for Mudd Creek which runs through the property. Owned by David Archibald of Mexia, Brian Stallones 6
of Franklin, Daniel Anderson of Franklin, and David Destefano of Franklin it has been a year and a half in the making. One of the owners David Archibald said he decided to build in Robertson County on one of his trips to the community for his children’s baseball games. He said he saw the need for a store like Mudd Creek. The project was financed locally through First Star Bank and is a brilliant addition to the growing economy of Robertson County. The establishment offers automotive and diesel gasoline along with eigh-
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teen wheeler diesel access. Inside you will find a clean rustic décor where local residents can find many items they may need without having to drive to other larger towns. There is hot pizza and breakfast items as well as beer and some groceries. The building will have a Chicken Express that will open on Jan 2. The owners also plan to open a Chophouse in the near future that will offer home cooked country meals like chicken fried steak, burgers, grilled steaks and other yummy delicious treats Texans love. So please take time if
you are headed to Franklin or from Franklin to Hearne to stop in and check out this awesome addition to Robertson County. I am not the only one that thinks this place is great below you will find some of the reviews off of there social media site: • Definitely a great addition to Franklin! Friendly and speedy service! Recommend everyone stops here. • Friendly and quick. Just how I like things when I’m in a hurry! • I most definitely recommend this place with out a doubt.
FRANKLIN
COUNTRY DONUTS
215 U.S. 79, Franklin,
(979) 828-5324 ERICA MATYSIAK-WALTON
Robertson County Living
Doughnuts have a disputed history. One theory suggests they were invented in North America by Dutch settlers. Indeed, in the 19th century, doughnuts were sometimes referred to as one kind of oliekoek (a Dutch word literally meaning “oil cake”), a “sweetened cake fried in fat.” Hanson Gregory, an American, claimed to have invented the ring-shaped doughnut in 1847 aboard a lime-trading ship when he was only 16 years old. Gregory was dissatisfied
with the greasiness of doughnuts twisted into various shapes and with the raw center of regular doughnuts. He claimed to have punched a hole in the center of dough with the ship’s tin pepper box, and later taught the technique to his mother. According to anthropologist Paul R. Mullins, the first cookbook mentioning doughnuts was an 1803 English volume which included doughnuts in an appendix of American recipes. By the mid-19th century, the doughnut looked and tasted like today’s doughnut, and was viewed as a thoroughly American food. A fourth theory on their origin came to light in 2013, appearing to predate
all previous claims, when a recipe for “dow nuts” was found in a book of recipes and domestic tips written in 1800 by the wife of Baron Thomas Dimsdale, the recipe being given to the dowager Baroness by an acquaintance who transcribed for her the cooking instructions of a local delicacy, the “Hertfordshire nut”. Now that you have a little history of these magnificent treats lets talk locally. Franklin Country Donuts has been in business for about a year. Located right off of 79 it is a treat that should be visited. Owned by recent Robertson County residents Sunheng Suy and Sokha Yon it has become a popular staple in the town of Franklin, the owners said they chose Robertson County as there new home because it is such a beautiful and friendly place to live. The establishment has been a hit and one reviewer said: “While passing through
on our way home from Austin we saw this place in Franklin. We felt like having a donut so we pulled in. We’re so glad we did. I got a cream cheese kolache and a boudain kolache because they looked so good. They were absolutely delicious. Apparently the locals liked them too because there was a good amount of drive through traffic. Try them, you’ll love’em.” So if you are passing through Franklin and want a local treat stop by Franklin Country Donuts,
Experience the
Hometown Difference 979-828-2200 www.fnbhuntsvilletx.com Member FDIC Huntsville • Crockett • Madisonville • Franklin • Bryan/College Station, LPO
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historic feeling of the store and continue to sell products. So a new dream was born for this historic landmark. Since 2005 it has been renovated and turned into an excellent restaurant that serves wonderful lunch to RobertsonCounty residents. From old fashioned hamburgers and deli-
New Baden General Store A step back worth taking...
and funeral home. In 1984, the Shultz family made the difficult deciThe New Baden Gension to sell the store and the eral Store has been a Robname was changed to The ertson County staple since New Baden General Store. the early 1900’s. Steeped A soda machine was added in a rich history and still along with air conditioning running today because the and for a time business was owner’s have been adaptdoing well. able to the changing times. After seven years of For almost ninety years business the new owners the store was originally decided to close the store owned by the Shultz family which greatly saddened the and called Schultz’s. During community. that time the store has been In 2005 Dale Sanders many things to the comdecided to save the land munity of New Baden. For mark and give it the overmany years it served as the haul it deserved. He wanted United States postal office to be able to keep the ERICA MATYSIAK-WALTON
Robertson County Living
cious Bar-B-Que to fried fish and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. There are daily buffet specials with Friday and Saturday night specials as well. If you decide to ever try out the Friday night all you can eat Fried Catfish special prepare yourself for a packed house and a full belly. If you have never been out to the New Baden General Store and restaurant I highly recommend taking time to stop by and enjoy a big ole helping of Texas history, great food, and friendly hospitality.
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A handful of purpose ERICA MATYSIAK-WALTON
Robertson County Living
The name Handfuls On Purpose comes from the Bible in the book of Ruth. It is from the story of the land owner who ordered the workers in his fields to drop handfuls of wheat on purpose for Naomi to pick up to feed her family. This generous act is the foundation of the ideals of the founders of the HOPE Rescue Center. The idea of giving for the welfare of animals for no other reason than to promote animal awareness is the sole basis for Handfuls On Purpose. Since the doors of the
Rescue Center opened in 2008, they have taken in many animals of all types in both good and bad situations. They have been able to find homes for companion animals that they thought no one could ever love but them. Their experiences have given HOPE further confirmation that this is an endeavor that should be carried on. Their organization is supported strictly by donations and the donations are used for the care and sheltering of the animals. Most of their donations go toward medical care and routine veterinary services for the animals. When looking to adopt a companion animal, you
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must consider not only the cost of the adoption, but what the cost will be once you get your new pet home. HOPE pets are checked out completely by their vet. Each dog is tested for heartworms and all cats are checked for feline leukemia and feline aids. All pets will only be adopted after they have had all their shots, and are fixed. They are given heartworm preventive medication and flea treatments as long as they are a member of our family, because when they are adopted and become a member of another family HOPE wants them to be healthy as well as happy.
Joyce’s everlasting flowers
She grew up in Robertson County and learned from her work as a florist that My mother had the creating floral arrangements delightful opportunity to for its residents at their sit down and have a truly happiest and saddest moinspiring conversation with ments can be very rewardCharla Deboard current ing. She gave the sense that owner of Joyce’s Florist. she puts creative style and Joyce’s Florist opened in care into each arrangements the 1960’s has been a long she makes which says allot running staple in Robertson about the integrity of her County. Charla chose to product. keep the name of the shops Whether she is conveyoriginal owner as a way to ing compassion, friendship, uphold the commitment to or love in her arrangements integrity and creativity that they carry a sense of her its original owner Joyce creativity. Gregory established. Charla took that creWhen Charla spoke of ativity and brings her own Joyce she conveyed a sinbrand of style to the artisticere sense of admiration and cally unique furniture she appreciation that helped my creates and sells in her shop. mother to understand the The pieces are each beautitrue meaning of owning and ful, interesting and unique in operating your own busithere own way. Charla finds ness. The floristry business furniture in need of TLC has a significant market in and turns it into esthetically the corporate and social pleasing, functional, and afevent world, as flowers play fordable pieces. a large part in the decor of She is a Robertson special events and meetings. County resident born and Centerpieces, entryways, raised and believes that we reception tables, bridal should shop locally to help bouquets, wedding chapels promote the local economy. and stage sets are only a few Florists are people who examples of how flowers work with flowers and are used in the business and plants, generally at the retail social event settings. Flowlevel and florists have the ers are also traditionally ability to create a variety used in ecclesiastical setof floral designs such as tings and their arrangement wreaths, bouquets, corsages, is often done by skilled boutonnières/’buttonholes’, florists such as Charla. permanent arrangements Charla places a little and other more complicated piece of her heart and soul arrangements is also imporinto each of her creations. tant. ERICA MATYSIAK-WALTON
Robertson County Living
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Louie’s Ice House is the place to be in Franklin
ERICA MATYSIAK-WALTON
Robertson County Living
Texas Icehouses. Part town hall, part tavern, icehouses have been a Texas tradition since the 1920s. Before refrigeration, icehouses stored and distributed block ice for the neighborhood iceboxes. In Texas, ice houses are a cultural tradition. Ice merchants diversified to sell groceries and cold beer, serving as early convenience stores and local gathering places. Today many Texas ice houses have converted into open-air bars. Over time, they diversified iced beer, a little food, maybe some groceries, a
cool, air-conditioned spot where neighbors and families come to sit, talk, play dominoes, turn up the juke box, maybe eat some chicken wings, dance on the slab outside. No two are alike. Once a vital part of everyday local culture. They are a cornerstone of every neighborhood that are rapidly diminishing, and have become an endangered species. In Central Texas, Southeast, the word “icehouse” has become a colloquialism for an establishment that derives the majority of its income from the sale of good food, and cold beer, especially such locally produced labels as Shiner Bock, Pearl, and Lone
Star. Louie’s Ice House in Franklin is part of that Texas tradition. Owned by Ross & Mary Bush The establishment is managed by Debbie Nigh and was established in April of 2014. It is the first ice house to be established with in the Franklin city limits. Louie’s offers a main restaurant and patio area. There is rustic decor open seating and a friendly atmosphere. It has good food at fair prices and is quickly becoming a local favorite. Louie’s is a new and
welcome addition to Franklin, it offer’s a full bar, TV’s for sporting events and a small stage area for live music. The menu is full of the down home favorite’s Texan’s love and the barb-que is delicious. Louie’s is the kind of place that is quiet and friendly during the day but a great place to let lose and party at night. It is conveniently located right off of 79 and you can place a carry out order or dine-in and enjoy the rustic decor and friendly staff. Everyone in Louie’s was a delight from the wait staff to the patron’s themselves. This is definitely a place I would recommend to the residents of Robertson County. So if you are in Franklin and looking for a laid back place to eat with a great atmosphere and good food then take a visit to Louie’s. I promise you will not be disappointed.
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AREA-WIDE ATTRACTIONS Bremond Bremond Historical Society Museum 217 S Main St, Bremond Phone: (254) 746-5008
Bremond Library and Info Center 115 South Main Street, Bremond Hours: Mon - Tue: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wed - Fri: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Phone: (254)-746-7752 Email: bremondpubliclibrary@yahoo.com Website: www.bremondtxlibrary.com Calvert Virginia Field Park Pavilion circa 1895 Located on Pin Oak Dr between Burnett and Barton Streets. Phone: (979)-364-2559 Franklin Carnegie Library 315 E. Deckerd, Franklin Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Phone: (979)-828-4331 Email: carnegie@valornet.com Website: www.franklincarnegielibrary.com Franklin Drive-Thru Safari 4324 Hwy 79 W., Franklin Hours: Mon - Sun: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Phone: (979)-828-5256 Email: franklinsafari@aol.com Website: www.franklinsafari.com Calendar events can be emailed to news@robconews.com.
Franklin Ranch Community Park 2925 N. FM 46, Franklin Hours: Mon - Sun: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Phone: (979) 828-3042 Email: dhudspeth@franklinisd.net Website: www.thefranklinranch.com
Hearne Hearne Depot Railroad Museum 309 North Market Street Hearne Hours: Wed - Sat: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone: (979) 279-2351
Website: www.hearnetexas.info Camp Hearne POW Camp History Museum On the corner of 485 & Fairground Rd. Hours: Wed - Sat: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Phone: (979)-450-3000 Email: mail@camphearne.com Website: camphearne.com East Side Park 100 Norwood Ln, Hearne Hours: Mon - Sun: 7:00 a.m. - Dark Phone: (979) 279-3461 Municipal Golf Course, Grass Volleyball Court, 16 Horseshoe Pitches, Baseball Fields, Swimming Pool, Exercise Area, Picnic Tables, Town Lake - a fish and duck pond. Smith - Welch Memorial Library 105 W. Fifth Street, Hearne Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Phone: (979) 279-5191 Email: info@smwlibrary.com Website: www.hearnepubliclibrary.com Robertson County Living • Winter 2015 • Vol. 4 #115