Walking Tour of La Grange

Walking

Tour of Historic Downtown

La Grange

TRY OUR SELF-GUIDED

Walking Tour!

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1 Historic Casino Hall 2 Stiehl Home / Old City Library 3 Kaulbach Home 4 St. James Episcopal Church 5 Old City Cemetery 6 Faison Home 7 Old Fayette County Jail 8 Fayette County Courthouse 9 von Rosenberg Building 10 Lange Building 11 Tiemann Building 12 Svoboda Building 13 Journal Building 14 Old Masonic Building 15 Heintze Building 16 Rhode Building 17 Speckels Building 18 Hermes Building

19 Ledbetter Building 20 Warnken Buildings 21 Reichert Building 22 Haye & Meerscheidt Buildings 23 M-K-T Passenger Depot 24 Stoehr Building 25 Historic Muster Oak 26 Homuth Opera House 27 Streithoff Building 28 Haase Building 29 Kruschel Home 30 MohrhusenSchmidt Building 31 Meyenberg Building 32 FriedbergerJohnson, Meyenberg and Day Buildings 33 Weil Building 34 Kreische Building 35 Kreische Building

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Historic Casino Hall, 1881 254 N. Jefferson Street

Contrary to its name, the Historic Casino Hall never served as a gaming hall; rather, it was built with the intention of being a gathering place for the community. In 1858, ten German immigrants met in La Grange and organized the Casino Association of La Grange. The Association raised private funds and in July 1880, using the plan by Austrian-born architect James Wahrenberger, they contracted to build a $12,000 structure. This structure would serve as a multipurpose venue to include a performance hall, gathering space, and school.

By 1884, there were two hundred students attending the Public School inside the hall. Although there were still regular theatrical performances, education had become the primary purpose of the hall.

Once the school moved to a new campus in 1924, renovations were made to the building so that the Casino Hall could become the home of the La Grange Volunteer Fire Department and City Hall.

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After sharing the building with the Fire Department for forty years, in 1968 City Hall moved into its new building directly next door. In 1992, after sixty-seven years in the Casino Hall, the Fire Department moved into its new headquarters directly across the street.

Soon after, the structure was renovated once again and became the home of the La Grange Senior Citizen Activity Center which operated inside the Casino Hall until the building closed in 2006. Over the next eight years, the building remained vacant.

In 2014, at the age of 133 years, the Historic Casino Hall was completely renovated when the La Grange City Council voted to approve funding for the $3.7 million project. The grand two-story building encompasses 9,615 square feet of space and serves as a performing arts center and visitors center.

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Stiehl Home / Old City Library, 1852 159 E. Fannin Street

This unique structure was built in 1852 as the home of John C. Stiehl, who would later become a Fayette County Judge. The “fachwerk” architectural style features handmade bricks and hand-hewn timbers, joined together by wooden pegs.

A literary group, first known as the “Literary Circle” and later as the “Etaerio Club”, was responsible for the creation of the first public library in La Grange. The club purchased the old Stiehl home for $700 in May of 1912 in order to house the numerous books they had collected.

The interior walls and kitchen were removed to provide the appropriate space for the new library but the renovations did not affect the overall outward appearance of the building.

The exterior was restored in 1968 and the building was recorded as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1970.

It served as the public library until 1978 and today is privately owned by the Texas Women’s League.

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Kaulbach Home, 1887 351 E. Colorado Street

The Kaulbach Home is one of the best examples of Victorian architecture in Fayette County. Insurance agent Henry B. Kaulbach bought the property in 1874 and fourteen years later contracted with expert craftsman, Carl Michaelis, to build his new home.

The home exhibits a symmetrical and balanced plan with a two-story columnar gallery and graceful arches supported by thin turned columns. The interior features large rooms, one originally used as a ballroom, and a broad winding stairway leading to the second floor.

The original grey slate roof was of the same material used in the Texas State Capitol in Austin. The thirdfloor attic held a lead-lined cistern which used to catch rainwater for both domestic purposes and fire protection.

In 1968, the Kaulbach Home was recognized by the State of Texas for its significant contribution to Texas culture, history, and heritage and was recorded as a Texas Historical Landmark. The Official Medallion is near the front entrance of the home.

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St. James Episcopal Church, 1885 156 N. Monroe Street

In 1885, Richard M. Upjohn, the noted New York architect, designed St. James Episcopal Church.

The Queen Anne-style, wooden-framed building is adorned with shingles on most of the walls and has a steeply pitched roof.

In addition to commissioning the plans and raising most of the money for the church, the rector at the time, Rev. W.G.W. Smith, also designed and built the altar, lectern, communion rail, and Bishop’s chair. All of which are still in use. The windows and cross of the tower were also selected by him. The pews are original, designed by Smith and built locally in the shop of Frank Reichert.

The structure adjusted to accommodate people in the hot Texas summer months by providing screened openings, closed by removable panels. In 1893, a new bell was placed in the steeple and the following year electricity was added.

St. James Episcopal Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In 1984, a new Education Center and Meditation Garden were added to the grounds.

The church is still used today and provides a public preschool to the community.

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Old City Cemetery, c. 1840s Bounded by Colorado, College & Travis Street

The Old La Grange City Cemetery contains the final resting places of some of Fayette County’s earliest settlers. It is not known when the first burial took place, but the oldest marked grave belongs to Joseph G. King, who died on July 30, 1840.

In 1853, before the incorporation of La Grange, the property was owned by several La Grange citizens who gave the land in trust for use as a public burying ground. The cemetery was conveyed to the town of La Grange in 1854.

In 1867, yellow fever struck La Grange and claimed nearly one-fifth of the population. Mass burials were performed out of necessity, sometimes six to seven bodies to a single grave.

On April 17, 1873, La Grange was the first community in Texas to organize a Cemetery Association.

Today, the cemetery consists of approximately 1,400 graves, not including the mass graves from the yellow fever epidemic.

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Faison Home, c 1841 822 S. Jefferson Street

The N.W. Faison Home is one of the oldest homes in Fayette County. The home contains original furnishings of the wealthy Faison family, whose members occupied the home for nearly 90 years.

Relatively unaltered since its construction in the mid19th century, it was the home of one of the earliest settlers of the area, Nathaniel W. Faison (1817-1870), a military hero, land baron, and benefactor of the African-American community after emancipation.

The structure is recognized at the State level for its social significance because it is one of the first few residences in Texas to be solely owned by an AfricanAmerican freedwoman, Louisiana Brown, to whom Faison deeded the home in 1870.

The antique furnishings, artwork, and everyday household items reflect the history of early Texas, from settlement to the discovery of oil. The home provides visitors with a glimpse of family life from the 1870s to the early 1900s. The home also brims with stories of pioneer settlement, hardship and prosperity, race relations, and the lives of wealthy Texans in the Gilded Age. Today, Faison’s home serves as a museum and is open to the public for tours.

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# 171 S. Main Street

In November 1881, the Fayette County Commissioners selected the Victorian Gothic design of architects Andrewartha & Wahrenberger for the county’s third jail. The building was completed in mid-1883 at a cost of $30,000. The outer walls were constructed of blue sandstone quarried from nearby Muldoon, Texas.

The jail complex consisted of three buildings: the main jail and two “drunk blocks.” The main building contained cells and living quarters for the jailer and his family. Women were housed in a cell on the second floor, consisting of a room with two bunks and a bathroom. Men were quartered in the double stacked cell block, which had 8 small cells on each level.

Approximately 25 to 30 prisoners were jailed each month, mainly for Driving While Intoxicated and misdemeanors. However, there was the occasional burglar or murderer. Two of its most famous prisoners were Ray Hamilton and Gene O’Dare from the notorious Bonnie & Clyde gang, who robbed the Carmine State Bank in November 1931.

The jail was in use for 102 years, until the Judge Dan R. Beck Fayette County Justice Center was built in 1985. After removal of the cell block among other renovations, the building had many different uses until it became the home of the Texas Heroes Museum.

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# 151 N. Washington Street

In early 1890, the condition of the third Fayette County Courthouse was deemed unsafe. Preparations were made to build a new courthouse and architect J. Riely Gordon provided the new design. The construction costs reached nearly $100,000. The fourth, and present, Fayette County Courthouse was opened to the public on December 1, 1891.

The three-story building is a prime example of the Romanesque Revival style of architecture with its arched openings, along with the use of different stone types and colors (Muldoon blue sandstone trimmed with Pecos red sandstone, Burnet pink granite, and Belton white limestone). All of the offices along with the courtroom are arranged around a central courtyard and atrium.

In 2001, the county was awarded a Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program grant from the Texas Historical Commission to restore the courthouse. The work began in June 2003 and was completed by March 2005. Having been restored to its original grandeur, the Fayette County Courthouse continues to serve as the hub of all county activities.

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von Rosenberg Building, 1906 & 1922 239, 245 & 253 W. Travis Street

The von Rosenberg building originally began as three separate buildings (239, 245, 253) prior to all being purchased and renovated by Mr. C.J. von Rosenberg.

The 239 W. Travis building was built around 1850 by Thomas C. Gregory and served as his drug store for nearly 40 years.

A saloon then occupied the space until 1906, when von Rosenberg purchased the building and replaced it with a new brick building. A marble slab on the façade marks the depth of the 1869 flood waters at the same height as the water line found on the old Gregory building.

The 245 W. Travis building, also known as the Farquhar Building, was a clothing and grocery store until it was sold to von Rosenberg in 1890. von Rosenberg utilized the building as his general merchandise store.

The 253 W. Travis building was a saddlery shop in 1876 and housed many other businesses until von Rosenberg purchased it in 1921 and tore it down.

By 1922, all three buildings had been torn down to construct one new brick building. In 1947, a single modern front façade of glass and stucco was incorporated to the design.

The von Rosenberg Department Store operated until 1953 when building 253 was sold to Glen Prause, Sr. to be used for their family meat market- which is still in operation today. Buildings 239 and 245 currently house insurance offices.

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Lange Building, 1908 229 W. Travis Street

In 1908, Henry F. Lange built the first modern concrete structure in La Grange from blocks he manufactured on his concrete block machine. He produced both a smooth and a rock-faced block, both of which can still be seen today. Building the blocks out of this material was less expensive and longer lasting than lumber.

The building was originally home to Hopper’s Hardware Store. Then, in 1915, the building was divided into two business spaces and it remains in that configuration today.

In 1929, the Humpty Dumpty grocery store opened and was one of the first “self-service” stores in La Grange.

Over time, some of the businesses that have been located here include Mohrhusen & Schmidt, Kubala pool hall, Levin confectionery and fruit stand, a shoe shop, and Lotta Cream Store, among others.

In 1996, the building was renovated to house Edward D. Jones Investments and remains as office space today.

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Tiemann Building, 1928 161 W. Travis Street

In 1855, the third Fayette County Courthouse was constructed and the second courthouse, a two-story wooden structure built in 1848, was sold to James Haynie for $1,180. He moved the building to this site where it stood for 73 years (surviving the 1869 and 1913 floods), housing many businesses including the Isaac Bell Barber Shop in 1880. Also located here were the offices of the Czech language newspaper the Svoboda and the English language newspaper The Fayette County Record .

Gus Tiemann, baker and confectioner, bought the building in 1916 and operated his grocery store and bakery from it.

In 1928, Tiemann demolished the wooden structure and replaced it with a new building made of hollow tile with a brick veneer, show windows, and a concrete floor.

Soon after, he opened an IGA store. The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) brought together independent grocers across the U.S. to ensure that the family-owned local grocery store remained strong in the face of growing chain competition.

From 1945-1980, a number of businesses occupied the space including Lacks, Mueller’s Florist, Sharp Butane, and Fayette Auto Parts. Hengst Printing has had their business in this location since 1981.

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Svoboda Building, 1911 155 W. Travis Street

Fayette County Judge Augustin Haidusek and Joseph Koss, owners of the Czech language newspaper Svoboda, bought this property in 1909. Two years later, they built a modern two-story brick building with a 30-foot front and an extended back of 70 feet.

The ground floor housed the printing office while the second floor served as office space.

The first issue of The Fayette County Record newspaper was published from the Svoboda offices

by Ignaz J. Parma and Jerome Haidusek in June 1909.

In 1915, the second floor was transformed into a motion picture theatre, The Rex, which featured films from the silent movie era.

In 1927, the Svoboda ceased publication after a 42year run and Farmer’s Publishing Company bought the building and produced The Fayette County Record until it moved to its new building next door (149 W. Travis) in 1936.

For many years a drug store and medical offices occupied the space. In 1977, Don and Sandra Hengst bought The Fayette County Record’s printing and supplies operation and moved into this building, later expanding into the Tiemann Building.

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Journal Building, c 1900 127 W. Travis Street

Ground was broken for the new home of the La Grange Journal newspaper on April 12, 1900. The La Grange Journal, owned and edited by Ben Harigal, shared the space with the German language newspaper, the La Grange Deutsche Zeitung, edited

by Gus Heilig.

The Flood of 1913 caused over $700 in damages to the newspapers’ office space. They also suffered a loss of stock and type cases after nearly four feet of water entered the building.

A newspaper was published from this location until November 5, 1986, when the final issue of the La Grange Journal was printed. The Journal had been in continuous operation since February 18, 1880. The name and circulation rights were sold to The Fayette County Record.

The location has since been used as office space for various local businesses and is currently a specialty boutique.

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Old Masonic Building, 1860 138 W. Travis Street

In 1860, Henry Rhode and Florian Meyer built this three-story building of wood and mortared sandstone blocks, covered by a cement plaster. The outer covering was designed to appear as though the building was constructed of larger stone blocks. It is crowned with a projecting stone cornice.

The local Masons of LaFayette Lodge No. 34 A.F. & A.M. and the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge No. 30 purchased the building in 1866 from the estate of Mr. Rhode. The Masonic Lodge occupied the third floor from 1866 to 1939, and the lower floors were used as office space. In 1871, the two organizations sold the property, but it continues to be known as the Old Masonic Building.

By 1939, the building was in disrepair. It was sold to William and August Hermes, who immediately sold it to John Schroeder, manager of the Fayette County Abstract Company. The 80-year-old building was fully renovated and abstract offices were located there until 1986.

Occupants of the building over the years include attorneys, doctors, optometrists, a cotton agent, photographers, a cleaning and pressing shop, a Frigidaire salesman, surveyors, government agencies, and a computer sales and repair shop. The building was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1962.

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Heintze Building, 1889 118 & 124 N. Washington Street

In 1889, August Heintze & Company built two large brick stores sharing a common façade on this site.

The building addressed as 124 N. Washington (left) was originally used as the dry goods department store of the Heintze Company. A dry goods/grocery store occupied this site for over 100 years. In 1931, the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, better known as A&P, opened in the building. In 1970, J.C. Spacek, Sr. bought the building and the A&P store and changed the name to City Grocery. The Spacek family ran City Grocery for more than 20 years. Today, it houses Columbus Optical.

The building addressed as 118 N. Washington (right) was originally occupied by the County Seat Saloon. In 1896, a small corner in the front of the building was occupied by a jeweler and later, Sing Lee ran a shortorder restaurant out of the County Seat. A dry goods store occupied the space for nearly 40 years until the Day family opened a jewelry store in 1952. Moore’s Jewelry followed and the current occupant, Schmidt Jewelry, has been in business since 1977.

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Rhode Building, c 1855 130 N. Washington Street

This building was constructed in 1855, the same time as the Fayette County’s Third Courthouse. German immigrant Henry Rhode built what was known as Rhode’s Concrete Store. The front façade is faced with large hand-cut and hand-faced stone blocks.

In 1887, August Heintze purchased the building for $9,500. The next year he added a two-story awning and porch. The structure housed the largest department store in the county under Heintze’s ownership and he expanded his operation by constructing two additional buildings on the Square. Heintze was instrumental in developing a marketplace for locally grown produce and in 1910 he formed the Heintze-Speckels Co. The building stayed in the Heintze family until 1960.

Mr. Heintze was a consummate collector and for years his large and unique collection was housed in museum rooms on the second floor of the building.

Especially notable was the “20th Century Rarity Room.” A few pieces of Heintze’s collection currently reside at the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives.

Since that time, many businesses have operated from this location such as Walter Kneip Furniture Store, Perry Bros, and Western Auto. Today it houses an antique shop.

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Speckels Building, 1890 134 N. Washington Street

John C. Speckels built this brick building in 1890 to house his Diamond Saloon. It was later turned into the the Diamond Cafe which operated until 1929. By 1904, a skylight had been opened in the saloon and the interior had been repaired and repainted. The saloon operated at least until 1912. The lunch counter/restaurant was still operating in 1920. In 1930, the building was turned into a meat market by Glen Prause, Sr. and lasted until 1941. Between 19511986, the building housed a grocery store, the U.S. Selective Service Board, and a sales agency.

From 1988-1990, the building housed a D&D Ace Hardware store. The building was first transformed into a studio which opened its doors in 1933 and then into a bridal shop in 1999. Since then, it served as the location for a gourmet kitchen shop and currently houses an antique store.

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Hermes Building, 1884 & 1906 142-148 N. Washington Street Two-Part Commercial Block

This building is actually two separate buildings. The right half, The Palace, was built by Captain Renfro in 1884 and housed a drug store until it became the saloon in 1890.

The Elite Café and Confectionery and Willmann Jewelry store spent time here but it is best remembered for its time as a leather shop for shoe and saddle repair.

On the left side, Dr. William Hermes operated a drug store out of a two-story wooden building beginning in 1871. In 1906 he replaced the building with a “modern, brick two-story structure” that would adjoin the twostory brick Palace Saloon to the right. They were joined by a common façade in 1907. The façade is constructed of red and cream-colored cast stone imitating the appearance of rusticated limestone.

Hermes Drug holds the distinction of being the only building on the Square to operate under the same name for more than 100 years. The Hermes family owned the store until 1946 when Gilbert Hermes retired and sold the business to A.F. and Edgar F. Anders. After Edgar Anders retired, the store was operated by various pharmacists before closing in 2009. The records of the Hermes Drug Store survive today, along with early pharmaceutical equipment in the collections of the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives. Today, the Hermes Building is divided into a clothing boutique and a real estate office.

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# 135 W. Colorado Street

Built by Captain William H. Ledbetter in 1884 using locally made brick with an ornamental clay façade, this building originally housed Skarda’s cigar factory on the second floor and mercantile stores on the first floor. In 1885, a fire started in the factory and the La Grange Fire Company used their new engine with its fire hose connected to a newly installed water cistern on the northeast corner of the Square to drown out the flames.

In 1905, the building and property were sold to the First National Bank of La Grange for $2,200. The second floor was improved and a gallery was built joining this structure and the one to the west.

In July 1906, the La Grange Post Office moved into the building and was located here until the present post office was constructed on Colorado St. in 1936. During this time the Handel Club, a singing group, occupied the second floor. The City of La Grange utilized the building for office space until City Hall was built in 1968.

In 2006, the bank, now known as National Bank & Trust, completed a $3.5 million historically accurate renovation and revitalization project of their West Colorado Street buildings and this space now houses a financial services agency.

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Warnken Buildings, 1891 & 1894 113 & 119 W. Colorado Street

In 1890, the third Fayette County Courthouse was demolished. August Warnken paid $250 for all the rock rubble suitable for building purposes and used it to build the two-story rock and brick structure at 113 W. Colorado.

The brick front was plastered by Charles Kruschel. For many years the building housed hardware stores, as well as the offices of the City of La Grange Electric Light Company. In 1942, the Catholic Union of Texas bought the building and occupied it until 1973. The letters “K J T,” the remnants of that fraternal organization, stand in relief behind three stars now at the top of the building. It continues to be used as office space today.

Prior to 1894, the lot at 119 W. Colorado was home to a small wooden building. Mr. Warnken replaced it with a two-story brick building of his design. It was originally occupied by a saloon, noted at the time as the fifteenth saloon in La Grange. In 1911, the Happy Hour Theatre occupied the first floor and featured live piano music.

This motion picture business was the forerunner of the Cozy Theater, that operated across the street until the great fire of 2000. The longest tenancy of the building was the W. T. Kreuz Meat Market from 1929 until 1973.

Both buildings are owned by National Bank & Trust and were part of the 2006 restoration project conducted by the bank with guidance from the Texas Historical Commission.

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Reichert Building, 1892 140 W. Colorado Street

Frank Reichert Sr. started his furniture business in 1885 and continued the business until his death 1938.

In 1892, he built this unique one-story brick building, featuring an interior gallery. The awning in front of the building was added in 1894. Remarkably, the furniture store even survived the Flood of 1913, which has been one of the most catastrophic floods to hit La Grange, despite a huge loss estimated at $4,000.

By 1925, Reichert and his brother-in-law, Walter Kneip, sold furniture, stoves, and floor coverings, when they replaced the original façade of the building with the present storefront featuring glass show windows.

The Reichert building served as a furniture store under various names for more than 80 years.

Over time, the building housed a hardware store, sporting goods store, J. C. Penney catalog outlet, and an antique store. In 2011, the building received a major facelift and was transformed into the Texas Quilt Museum.

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Haye & Meerscheidt Buildings, 1881 136 & 126 W. Colorado Street

In September 1880, ground was broken for four identical buildings by Messrs. Haye, Meerscheidt, Schuhmacher, and Lidiak. They were completed in 1881 and two remain with their original façades, while the other two were incorporated into the auto dealership nextdoor many years ago.

The building addressed as 136 W. Colorado was owned by August Haye and housed his cigar factory, saloon, and Cheap Grocery Store. In 1907, Frank Reichert purchased the building and expanded his furniture store into the space. Furnishings were sold out of this building until 1974. The building then housed a hardware store, health club, photo center, and video rental business. In 2011, the building received a major facelift and was transformed into the Texas Quilt Museum.

The building addressed as 126 W. Colorado was owned by Axel Meerscheidt, who served as a La Grange Postmaster and outfitted the building for that purpose upon completion. After the post office moved across the street, the building housed many businesses including a Chinese laundry, undertaker, millinery and dressmaker, beauty salon and fabric store. Today, it houses a quilt supply shop.

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M-K-T Passenger Depot, 1897 260 N. Washington Street

The first Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railway passenger depot was built on this site in 1887. Unfortunately, it burned to the ground 10 years later along with three other structures on the block. The depot was rebuilt within nine months and the new wooden structure was completed in November 1897.

In March 1911, President Theodore Roosevelt, who was traveling on the M-K-T, stopped at the depot and spoke for about five minutes to a large gathering of La Grange citizens.

In the 1940s, passenger trains ceased service but the depot received and dispatched freight into the 1970s.

A portion of the building was leased to various local businesses but the railroad maintained an office there until 1984, when the depot was sold to the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2006, the building was sold again and transformed into its current operation as the Depot Museum.

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Stoehr Building, 1897 244 N. Washington Street

On March 4, 1897, boot and shoemaker John Stoehr moved into his new two-story shop next to the train depot and city hall.

A little over two weeks later, at 4am, a fire started in the city hall building and it was quickly consumed by a mass of flames that spread to the Stoehr building which soon became a pile of ruins. The depot was destroyed as well. The firemen were helpless, as all of their equipment was in city hall and the building was already too destroyed when the fire was discovered to save any of it. A hard rain had fallen just before the fire, which kept it from spreading any further. Mr. Stoehr’s loss was $1,100 and undaunted, he began rebuilding immediately. His second building stands on this site today and is the only wooden structure still on the Historic Downtown Square.

The building housed a cobbler until the 1920s when it was sold to C. R. Schmidt. Renovations have been made over the years and the building has been home to beauty salons, a flower shop, and a tax service office. The building currently serves as a private office space and apartment.

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Historic Muster Oak Corner of N. Washington Street & W. Colorado Street

On the Fayette County Courthouse Square, this scarred yet mighty oak marks the spot from which La Grange has on many occasions sent its sons into battle. In conflicts with Native Americans, the struggle with Mexico, in the War between States, the SpanishAmerican War, and in two World Wars, sons of Fayette County were first marshaled under this tree.

It was under this Historic Oak where Captain Nicholas Mosby Dawson and his company of men assembled on September 15, 1842 and galloped off towards San Antonio to help repel the invasion of Texas by the Mexican Army under General Adrian Woll. In an outmatched and bloody battle near Salado Creek on September 18, 1842, Dawson and 35 of his men were killed, 15 were captured and imprisoned in Castle Perote in Mexico, and 3 managed to escape.

In 1845, the tree was struck by lightning and the burned furrow down the side of the tree was still plainly visible many years later. In recent times the tree has been repaired with a concrete support and is currently reported to be in good health.

The Historic Oak was recognized by the State of Texas with a pink granite marker in 1963.

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Homuth Opera House, 1885 226 W. Colorado Street

In 1885, successful bar-keep August Homuth built this 40 x 95 foot two-story brick structure. An iron front façade was chosen for its aesthetic appearance and fire safety properties. The structure was shipped to La Grange from Pullis Brothers of St. Louis, Missouri.

The Iron Front Saloon and billiard hall opened on the first floor in August 1885 and the second floor was made into a “first-class” opera house with the addition of a stage and theatrical paraphernalia.

The first performance was given by the La Grange Dramatic Club.

In 1892, the building was partitioned into two rooms and many businesses used the space including several grocery stores. When the La Grange Buick Company occupied the space, they put gas pumps at the curb. The second story was transformed into a hotel in the 1940s. In 1974, the partitions were removed when the Ben Franklin five and dime store moved in.

The second story with its iron front still remains but has been hidden since the 1970s by a metal slipcover.

In the early 1980s, the building was home to a clothing shop which prospered for nearly 30 years. Today, the Homuth Opera House is occupied by a gourmet kitchen shop.

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Streithoff Building, 1875 236 W. Colorado Street

Fritz C. Streithoff built this magnificent two-story building in 1875 and operated the “Bank Saloon” until 1887. The building was sold to August Heintze and used as Heintze & Co. Grocery Store until J. H. White purchased the building and opened White’s Drug Store.

In 1896, Louis Walter bought the building and added a 30foot one-story addition to the rear. He also remodeled it to house his saddle and harness business. For the next 33 years, the building was used for this purpose under various different owners. In the 1920s, gasoline pumps and a tire service were added.

In 1930, the entire front façade of the rock building was remodeled to what we see today. Since then, the building has served as a pharmacy, Western Auto Store and has remained as a law office for many years.

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Haase Building, 1884 262 W. Colorado Street

William Haase came to La Grange in 1874 and soon after bought the grocery and beer business that was housed in a wood frame building on this site.

He later razed the old structure. In 1884, he hired Allert & Redmond, brick masons from Flatonia, to build this handsome brick edifice. Haase then added wines, liquors, and cigars to his stock of goods. After Mr. Haase died in 1900 the building continued as a grocery and feed store until new proprietors took ownership.

In May of 1930, the building was remodeled for use as the soda water bottling plant for Nehi Bottling Company. Within a few years, it had changed to a poultry operation that sold eggs and pecans and then into Fairmount Creamery and Foods.

In 1956, the building was remodeled again for use by White’s Auto Store and it remained in business for 25 years.

Since then, many different businesses have called this building home including a craft store, bridal shop and boutique, Radio Shack, photography studio, and a jewelry store.

The current occupant is a financial services agency.

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Kruschel Home, 1907 259 N. Main Street

This Victorian home with cypress wood siding was built for Mrs. Charles (Emma) Kruschel in 1907. Charles Kruschel died in 1899 leaving Emma to raise five daughters and manage his many properties in town.

Emma Kruschel accepted the plans of architect L. F. Kruschel for a modern two-story residence. The new home would contain 11 rooms surrounded by winding porches and be equipped with all modern conveniences. The cost to build was estimated at $4,100. Construction began in October 1907 and Emma and her daughters Augusta, Olga, Hattie, Ella, and Lily moved into their new home, where each lived until her death. Lily Kruschel was disabled, so an elevator was installed in the home. It was operated by a pulley and ropes but was later modernized with an electric motor.

None of the Kruschel sisters married and Ella, the last of them to live in the house, died in 1976. The Kruschel family was civic minded and generous philanthropists. They donated the land for the La Grange swimming pool and Little League ball fields and also made a generous financial donation towards the construction of Fayette Memorial Hospital.

The home was bought by its second owner in 1979 and continues to remain as a private residence.

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Mohrhusen-Schmidt Building, 1914 155 N. Main Street

In 1912, H. G. Mohrhusen and his son-in-law, Dr. Bernard Schmidt, went into business on the south side of the Square. By 1914, they had purchased the lot with a large wooden two-story structure built by Johann Caspar Fink in 1842.

The Fink building was razed to make way for a new two-story brick building with the ground floor being made of plate glass. The Mohrhusen-Schmidt Company occupied their new building in January 1915 and primarily sold furniture. It was reported to once be the “largest store building in this section of Texas.”

The front half of the second floor housed August Heintze’s famous collection of curios and was referred to as the “Traveling Men’s Museum.” The back half of the second floor housed licensed embalmer August Koenig’s undertaker supplies and casket showroom which later also provided an ambulance service.

The first floor served as a furniture store under different ownerships for over 80 years.

From 1998 until 2006, the first floor was a restaurant. In 2006, descendants of Bernard and Anna Schmidt sold the building to Colorado Valley Bank. The property is currently owned by a bank today.

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Meyenberg Building, 1905 135 N. Main Street

This brick building was erected by contractors Schulze and Letzerich for Julius Meyenberg, Jr. in 1905. Only three walls needed to be constructed, since Meyenberg owned an interest in the building next door. The interior was furnished with glass counters and Mrs. Hallie Pearl Robison opened a unique store for La Grange, carrying stationery goods and books including fiction, magazines, and periodicals. Mrs. Robison lived next door in the only family residence on the Square.

Since 1928, the building has housed a bakery: Hirscy’s Bakery, then City Bakery, and now Lukas Bakery.

During World War II, Raymond Lukas joined the army to serve his country. He was honorably discharged due to illness, but still wanted to serve. Drawing upon his experience in baking, he was sent to Camp Swift in Bastrop to bake for the German prisoners.

Meanwhile, Lucille Kurio was attending a local wedding.

Upon eating a piece of wedding cake, she proclaimed that she would like to marry the man who had made the confection. Raymond happened to be standing behind her and four months later they were engaged.

Raymond and Lucille opened Lukas Bakery in November 1947. In 1978, Raymond passed away, but his family continues to operate the business, baking everything from scratch, just as Raymond did.

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Friedberger-Johnson, Meyenberg and Day Buildings, 1895 117, 123 & 127 N. Main Street

In 1895, architects Mauer and Wesling were contracted to build three brick businesses on the west side of the Square. One two-story was built for druggist Julius Meyenberg, Jr. This building was flanked on both sides by one-story buildings for jeweler Robert F. Day and Friedberger & Johnson Dry Goods. The buildings were of ample size and finished in modern style.

The building addressed as 117 N. Main was a dry goods store for many years and later housed an auto parts store, travel agency, and law office.

The building addressed as 123 N. Main was home to the drug store of Julius Meyenberg Sr. beginning in the 1850s. In 1882, his son joined him and built the new building in 1895. Meyenberg Drug operated until 1957 even though in 1944, Louis Schroeder bought the building. He did not change the name to Schroeder Drug until 1957.

The building addressed as 127 N. Main served as a jewelry store and many other purposes but is best known as Docekal Dry Cleaners that was in business from 1929-1976.

The three buildings were restored and renovated several years ago and now serves as a catering space.

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Weil Building, 1880 103 N. Main Street

Groundbreaking for this two-story brick building was held on March 3, 1880. Jacob Weil, stove and tinware dealer, was the owner but he only occupied the building for a short time.

In 1890, the offices of the Fayette County Tax Collector and Fayette County Clerk were moved into the first floor while the fourth courthouse was under construction. The second floor housed the Knights of Pythias Lodge.

In 1906 the roller skating “craze” reached La Grange and the first floor was used as a roller rink.

Over the years many businesses have been located here, including Theo Schmidt General Store, A.F. Weber and Son Cotton Buyers, Diers Feed Store, Eckels Sweet Shop and the Kerrville Bus Depot, Rosenberg Sweet Shop, Dyers Pharmacy, Heritage Texas Country Properties Real Estate office, and Salon Envy.

In 1996, this building was one of the first to be renovated in La Grange utilizing the services of the Texas Historical Commission’s Main Street Program.

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Kreische Building, 1881 104 S. Main Street

Heinrich Kreische, master stonemason and brewmaster, built this rock building in 1881 to serve as his ice house and beer hall. Unfortunately, he died in a rock-hauling accident in March 1882, but the property remained in the family for 71 years.

The building served as the Huettel General Store for more than 30 years.

In 1934, Spears Dairy Inc. occupied the building and opened a milk bottling plant, later making butter, sweet cream, and condensed milk out of the Kreische building.

The building was sold in 1952 when Julia Kreische, the last of the remaining family members, died. Since then, many businesses have been located there, including various insurance companies, a dress shop, factory store, medical supply store, and the dental office of Dr. C. Garrette Ray. Since 1997, the building has been occupied by Hart Land Real Estate.

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Kreische Building, c 1856-1859 114 S. Main Street

F. W. Grassmeyer commissioned German stonemasons to construct this two-story Italianate style commercial building. It is presumed that master stonemason Heinrich Kreische was the builder of this rock building.

Kreische is best known as the builder and brewmaster of the Kreische Brewery, but he also built a number of homes, stone bridges, and commercial buildings in La Grange; including the second Fayette County Jail in 1853 and the third Fayette County Courthouse in 1855.

The Central Hotel used the structure until 1893 when German immigrant Fritz Presun purchased it to use as a regional sales office for large American breweries.

He also added a soda water bottling operation and later sold Lone Star Beer and Lemp Beer.

Brothers Henry and Arthur Presun continued the business and in 1918 operated the first Coca-Cola franchise in La Grange. They were also representatives of the Magnolia Oil Company and in 1921 installed gas pumps in front of the building. New owner George Giesber continued the business into the late 1950s.

Since then the building has been home to a variety of businesses, including insurance agencies, an architecture firm, antique shop, a photography studio, and a wine bar. In 1983, the building was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark.

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Early thespians perform a play on the Square in La Grange.

La Grange Engine #1 with firemen enjoying an American pastime circa 1920.

A heavily decorated Cadillac convertible entered in the 1913 Casino Fair Parade.

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