Fayette County Courthouse

La Grange, Texas

Weather: low 45 degrees, high 78 degrees, clear skies, light breezes

Today was a great day for getting out and seeing the area. Our first stop was at the historic Fayette County Courthouse, located in La Grange. We went inside and admired the craftsmanship that was obviously used in erecting this beautiful building. A new courthouse was erected in 1890 because the one being used at the time was in such bad shape that it was a hazard to the people who used it. The cost was $90,000. Four types of Texas stone was used, along with granite. The building is still being used today, and business was being conducted in the courtroom when we were there. Check out the floor, which appears to be granite.

A unique feature of the courthouse is an atrium in the center of the building. This was something that had been done very little when the courthouse was built. Now you see them in hotels, malls, office buildings, etc.

Across from the courthouse is Hermes Drug Store, the oldest drug store in Texas. It was built in 1856 and has been in use since then.

After touring the courthouse, we walked around the square. We noticed a bakery and couldn't resist walking in. They advertised pigs in a blanket, so we bought a couple, plus coconut macaroons made in the store. We were disappointed in the pigs, since we are used to smoked sausage links wrapped in biscuit dough and baked. These pigs consisted of ground sausage in a roll and baked in bread dough. The sausage was dry and did not have much taste, and the bread was chewy. Not what we expected. On the other hand, the macaroons were very good.

Continuing our walk around the square, we found a plaque that showed the high water mark for a flood that devastated the town in 1913. The high water mark was about four feet up on the buildings, and even the courthouse had water in the first floor.

In our drive around town, we noticed a house that seems typical of some of the finer homes in the area. In addition, it appears that the town is trying to save their old oak trees. Several of them are in the roads.

There seems to be quite a number of houses based on this type of design. I'm not sure if this is something that the European settlers brought with them, or if it was developed to suit the types of building materials available.

We went to Monument Hill/Kreische Brewery State Park this morning and had a nice conversation with a young lady named Dorothy who works there. Since it is getting late and I have already put a lot into this post, I will tell you about our visit to the state park tomorrow. Some interesting history there.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - La Grange, Texas: Hometown, Texas

Not all who wander are lost.