Footprints of Fayette—La Grange, TX

These brief histories were written by members of the Fayette County Historical Commission. They first appeared in the weekly column, "Footprints of Fayette," which is published in the Fayette County Record, Banner Press, Flatonia Argus, Schulenburg Sticker, and Weimar Mercury newspapers. A new article appears weekly. See index of all Footprints of Fayette articles.

Queen City of the Colorado Valley

The "Airdome"—A Unique Theatre

The name “Airdome” piques one’s interest to try to imagine what this structure might have looked like and what purpose it served. La Grange actually had its own Airdome, although its existence was short-lived. Unfortunately, there are no photographs available to provide a visual image, only sketchy written descriptions.

In late February 1911, the La Grange Journal announced that the city would have an Airdome, a modern open-air “play house”, for the entertainment of its residents in the coming spring and summer evenings. There would be a modern one-story iron-clad stage and a seating capacity that would accommodate the “entire” public in an open-air theatre with an iron fence on two sides, according to its promoters, J. Walter Blaize and John T. Holman. The outdoor venue was located between the old Fink Building on the corner of N. Main and W. Colorado Streets and the Julius Meyenberg residence, which is the present site of the Colorado Valley Bank on the west side of the square.

On April 13th, the paper announced that the Airdome theatre had been completed and would formally open for public patronage in a few days, which actually occurred on April 20, 1911. A later issue stated that special arrangements were made with the United States Amusement Company for the use of their eight reels containing special features, the first of which would be shown on Saturday night, May 13th. Entitled “The Truth about Dr. Cook”, the reel featured 2,000 feet of pictures of the Artic region with a lecturer explaining every feature.

Subsequent newspaper articles stated that “The Fall of Troy” was a well-received recent attraction at the Airdome, and that illustrated songs by local talent would accommodate the regular programs of three reels in the future. The promoters stated that they only used the License Film service, so could guarantee the quality of their show for a fee of 5 and 10 cents.

The Airdome closed for the season in mid-October, 1911 and re-opened for the winter months under the same management in the Warnken building, located at 119 W. Colorado St., but with a different name, “The Question Theatre”. In May1912, P.F. Granger closed a deal with John T. Holman for possession of the motion picture show located in the Warnken building. He turned the management over to his son, Ed, who had some experience in the business.

The Airdome’s last outdoor picture show was held on October 9, 1912, closing after only two summer seasons. The cause of its demise is unknown. The first show of the winter season was shown the very next day in Granger’s theatre that had a new elevated floor and several other improvements for the comfort of the patrons. In November 1912, John Holman advertised that all material from the Airdome was for sale for half of the original cost. By April 1913, the Airdome was completely dismantled and all of its material was sold, including a roof, which apparently was added after the initial construction. Perhaps a roof was needed over the stage to provide a better image on the screen.

The space where the Airdome was located and the adjacent Fink building were replaced by a large two-story brick building that housed the Mohrhusen-Schmidt Company founded by H.G. Mohrhusen and his son-in-law Dr. B. Schmidt. The building has housed a number of businesses, including furniture stores and several restaurants. The Colorado Valley Bank acquired the building in 2006 and remodeled it to provide additional space for its banking needs.

Ladies' Cemetery Association of La Grange

For many years, the La Grange cemetery, presently known as the "Old Cemetery", was neglected and did not receive the proper care that such a sacred place deserves. The cemetery was hardly ever mowed, and prior to the 1870's, hogs and cattle quite often grazed throughout the grounds. Animals and high grass in the cemetery caused monuments and grave markers to become injured, trampled on and knocked over. It is said that no one ever visited except when another body was laid to rest. It was this neglect that persuaded the ladies of La Grange to organize what was to be known as the Ladies' Cemetery Association of La Grange, Texas.

On the evening of April 17, 1873, a meeting to organize the Ladies' Cemetery Association was held at the Union Church with fourteen ladies present. According to the Texas Historical Commission, La Grange had the first chartered Ladies' Cemetery Association in Texas. The constitution and the by-laws provided for a well-run club with the care of the La Grange cemetery being their main concern.

Since that time, there have been some major developments that the Ladies' Cemetery Association has had to deal with. At first the old cemetery had only wooden fence surrounding it. This fence was neither adequate nor suitable for protecting the graves. The Ladies' Cemetery Association decided to have a new fence built around the cemetery. In just two years, they raised enough money to purchase an iron fence with hitching posts. The total cost was $2,531.51, which was raised through the sale of burial plots. The fence is still standing guard around the cemetery today. The Ladies Cemetery Association was also trying to keep the cemetery neat and beautiful. They decided to have a special day when every grave would be decorated with flowers. Every third Thursday in April was declared Decoration Day. Both businesses and school would have a holiday with all the citizens of La Grange decorating graves of their loved ones with the help of the local men and the Ladies' Cemetery Association. It was also an all day event highlighted by the Decoration Day Speech.

For over a hundred years the Ladies' Cemetery Association served the community faithfully, without a cent of money being gained for themselves. The group was active until the late 1970's when the upkeep of the cemetery was turned over to the City of La Grange. It is the hope of the association that their dream of having a neat and clean cemetery shall never be shattered.

The Original La Grange

Most people in the county know that Fayette County was named after Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834). La Grange (which means “the barn” in French) was the name of Lafayette’s place of residence most of his life. When he was sixteen, Lafayette married fourteen year old Marie Adrienne Francoise de Noailles - allying himself with one of the wealthiest and important families in France (she was related to the king.) During his many active years in politics, Lafayette lived at La Grange, one of his wife’s family homes, about 35 miles from Paris. La Grange is a still a private residence, owned by members of the family.

Actually, the Chateau de Chavagniac (or Chavaniac, depending on the source) in Haute-Loire, Province of Auvergne, France, was Lafayette's birthplace and boyhood home. It is located in south central France, about 260 miles from Paris, a considerable distance at that time. The chateau appears to be much larger than La Grange and is open to the public. It is advertised as the “Chateau Lafayette” rather than the Chateau de Chavagniac, obviously to capitalize on the fame of this man who was involved in so many world changing events at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries. The location of La Grange, so close to Paris, was much more convenient for a politically driven man like the Marquis. Although he was of the nobility, he renounced his title. His democratic ideals displayed during and after the French revolution did not fit in with the rise of the Emperor Napoleon so the Marquis retired to La Grange until Napoleon was defeated. Three generations of Lafayettes, the Marquis, his son and his grandson were all involved in politics.

The Marquise, Marie Adrienne Francoise de Noailles, was also a liberal and was very active in movements to abolish slavery. She died at La Grange in 1807.

The Marquis’ son, George Washington Lafayette, lived at La Grange with his father and after Lafayette’s death in 1834, the chateau passed to him. Of course, he was also a liberal. George Washington Lafayette’s son, Oscar Thomas Gilbert du Motier, another politically active liberal, retired to the chateau after Napoleon III came to power in 1851.

References: wikipedia.org; www.friendsoflafayette.org; www.chateau-lafayette.com; www.marquisdelafayette.net

Image courtesy of Stan Klos, marquisdelafayette.net

103 North Main Street, La Grange

102 years ago – skating craze reaches La Grange

Can you imagine roller skating in the Heritage Texas Country Properties building at the corner of Travis and Main Streets? According to an article in the La Grange Journal March 15, 1906 entitled The Skating Rink – “The craze has reached La Grange and the roller skating rink is an ‘established thing.’ Saturday night in the brick building opposite R. T. Huettel’s store the initial opening session was held from 7 until 10 o’clock, and there was a large crowd in attendance. No broken arms or legs have been reported so far.”

In 1880, twenty six years before the “skating craze” Jacob Weil broke ground for the building of a two story brick building on the west side of the square. According to articles published in the La Grange Journal the ownership of this building changed hands several times from Weil to Theo Schmidt, who was the only man in the country authorized to sell the Vogelsang cotton sprinkler, and then to J.C. Eccles, and again to Jacob Weil in 1900.

In 1890, the tax collector’s offices and the County Clerk occupied the building while the courthouse was under construction. The next recorded occupants in 1896 were the Rosenthal Brothers operating a general mercantile. For several years the upstairs was used as the knights of Pythias lodge room.

Over the years the known businesses included Weils Stoves and Tin ware; Theo Schmidt General Store; Friedberger’s; a confectioner, A. Levin selling fruits and candies; Dr. Adams, dentist; A.F. Weber and Son cotton buyers; Dier’s Feed Store; Eckel’s Sweet Shop and the Kerrville Bus Depot; AAA Farm Program; Rosenberg Sweet Shop; Dyer’s Pharmacy; Colortyme; Remax Real Estate and currently Texas Country Properties and Hollub Financial.

In 1995 the Building was sold to Dick and Kay Carlton, who under the Main Street Program reopened the upstairs windows and completely renovated the building.

Submitted by La Grange Main Street with information and early photo provided by the Fayette Museum and Archives.Place cursor on photo to see building today.

114 South Main Street, La Grange

An advertisement for the Beer Agency Office and Bottling Company Office Building at the Fayette Museum and Archives lists the former owners of the land situated at 114 South Main Street. The first recorded owner in 1831 was the Mexican Government. The parcel was sold or transferred to Colonel John H. Moore that same year. In the next 18 years, title to the land changed ten times as the parcel was bought and sold. In 1855, F.W. Grassmeyer commissioned German-Texas stone masons to construct an Italianate commercial building. By 1885 and until 1893 it served as part of the Central Hotel.

In January 1893, German immigrant Fritz Presun purchased the building from the A. Meerscheidt Estate and conducted a sales office for various breweries. By 1896, a balcony and porch were added to the structure.

Henry M. Presun maintained his office for the Magnolia Petroleum Company at this location and by 1918 he was operating the first franchise of the Coca-Cola Company in La Grange.

In 1921 oil and gas sales were introduced with the installation of gas pumps in front of the building.

The Coca-Cola bottling works moved from this site in 1929 and George Giesber assumed charge of the Magnolia Oil Company after the death of Henry Presun. The service station was in operation until the late 1950’s.

The building was used for office space beginning in the 1960’s and has been home to Boyd Photography since 1999. In 1983 the building was bestowed with a Medallion from the Texas Historical Commission and designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The Medallion recalls the building’s history as a Beer Office and Bottling Company.

Information and early photo provided by the Fayette Museum and Archives. Place cursor on photo to see building today.

Have you ever wondered about the history of the vacant lots around the courthouse square in La Grange? Were buildings ever there? Why are they gone? The vacant lot on the corner of W. Travis and S. Main Streets next to Prause’s Meat Market has a rather interesting history dating back approximately 170 years.

Between 1839 to1844, Aaron A. Gardiner, in partnership with Samuel Ward, built a two-story frame building with hand-sawn lumber that remained on this lot until the late 1940s. Gardiner was quite a patriot, always ready to fight for his country. He served twice in Captain Dawson’s company under the command of Col. John H. Moore, the noted Indian fighter and founder of La Grange. He first joined Col. Moore at Plum Creek in early 1840, followed by another conflict against the Comanche Indians at the Red Fork of the Colorado River 300 miles north of Austin. Gardiner was the Fayette County Sheriff in 1844 to mid-1845, when he died following a rifle duel for an unknown reason with a Fayette County Representative to the Republic of Texas Congress. In Gardiner’s probate there is a long list of all those residents who owed him for unpaid accounts and bar bills. So apparently Gardiner and Ward used part of their building as a saloon.

The “Ward Building” was eventually sold to C.S. Longcope in 1849, and little is known about the businesses housed in the building until 1881, when it was noted that John H. Carter, one of the oldest citizens of La Grange, opened a large general merchandise store in the building. He carried a substantial stock of dry goods, groceries, farming implements, hardware, crockery and glassware, harnesses, wood and willowware. In 1884, he sold his stock to H. Studemann, who leased the building and continued to operate the store until his death in 1887.

In September 1889, John Carter remodeled the 40-year old building, adding exterior stairs on the west side, and leased it to Mrs. S.C. Robertson, a milliner and dressmaker, who had her business on the first floor and used the second floor as a home for her family. The one-story warehouse in the rear of the building was converted into an outside kitchen. Mrs. Robertson only remained in the building for a year and a half, because the building was sold by Carter in July 1891. Nothing is known about the activity in the building after the sale until early 1895, when George Speckels and F.C. Arnim opened a grocery store and saloon at the site.

In 1903, when the consolidation of two neighboring mercantile firms, Rosenberg & Co. and the Heintze Cash Department store, necessitated several structural changes, plus the move of George Hopper, a hardware dealer, from his adjacent building to the Carter building next door, the latter building also received the attention of a carpenter. The old porch was removed, and the front of the building was extended to the sidewalk to match the other three buildings that had been remodeled, changing the appearance of the old southwest side of the square.

The La Grange Saddlery was located in the Carter building from 1909 to 1916, at which time the business was dissolved, with the harness and buggy stock being sold to Zweiner & Rabensburg and the farm implements and wagons to Meyer Brothers. While the saddlery company occupied the building, the upper story was renovated, and an elevator was installed to move the stock of buggies that were kept upstairs.

By 1921, the entire building was occupied by a confectionary. During the next 20 years, several other renovations had been made to the old building, which eventually was changed back to a structure with a front porch and a gallery above. A vegetable and fish market, owned by Jake Palmer in the late 1930s, seems to be the last known business in this 100-year old edifice that gradually was “tottering with age” and became too structurally unsound to save. This one building with a long history is all that has ever occupied this now vacant lot.

During the decades between the late 1930s to circa 1980, the enticing smells of burgers, “dogs”, fries, chili and stew lured the residents of La Grange into the Green Lantern Café, the source of the olfactory-pleasing aromas. Of course, tourists and “country folk” found their way to this beloved iconic establishment as well. Students from the high school several blocks away frequently chose to enjoy lunch at the Green Lantern in lieu of eating the less-palatable cafeteria fare.

Owned by Adeline Melcher Harbers, the café, painted green of course, had multiple occupants who rented the building throughout the years. However, Edwin and Thelma Baca, a sister of Mrs. Harbers, operated the café the longest. They began their restaurant management careers around 1943 with a hiatus of three to four years when they managed a small grocery store on East Colorado Street. They were then asked to return to manage the Green Lantern, which they did until Edwin Baca decided to retire in 1973 after operating the café for a total of 27 years.

Located in the middle of the 100 block of East Travis Street, which was also Highway 71 that traversed through town, the Green Lantern had the typical ambiance of most eating establishments in rural communities during that era. There were a number of signs on the exterior walls advertising soft drinks and beer, plus in earlier years, there was a round clock that was located on the roof under the café sign. If one did not have a watch or stomach pains to indicate that it was time for a meal, the clock was a good reminder.

Upon entering through one of four screen doors, the customer would notice a wooden counter fronted by swivel barstools on the left side of the café. The counter held a dessert display case filled with generous portions of freshly-baked pies and cakes. An assortment of soft drink and beer signs, some with neon lights or simulated waterfalls, advertising beers no longer in existence, such as Jax, Falstaff, Southern Select and Grand Prize, added interest to the “no-frills” décor. Dance hall placards, promoting upcoming dances in the surrounding area, shared the wall space with church festival posters and a large calendar from a local business. Rectangular beverage coolers with sliding doors on top were conveniently located behind the counter. A real glass was provided with each bottled beverage.

For those customers who preferred to sit elsewhere other than the counter, there were multiple square tables covered with oil cloth with four chairs each scattered around the rest of the small space. A jukebox with a variety of “old-time” waltzes and polkas, country-western tunes, and a few “big band” numbers provided musical entertainment for those patrons who chose to pay for their favorites.

The café, when operated by the Bacas, was first open seven days a week, serving meals morning, noon and night, from 6:00 a.m. until 9 p.m. In later years, they were closed on Sundays. When the Bacas first took over the management of the Green Lantern Cafe, a hamburger cost 15 cents, a hot dog was 10 cents, a regular lunch was 40 cents, and an ice cream cone or a cup of coffee only cost a nickel. As time progressed, business increased, and prices got higher. Inflation was also a factor. Of course, there were other “vittles” available for lunch and dinner in addition to those already mentioned, such as sandwiches, meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs, fried and baked chicken, steaks, and an all-time favorite, chicken fried steak with gravy, all served with the usual sides. A customer remembers that the most recent managers of the café offered a “blue plate” lunch special—if a customer received a lunch on a blue plate rather than the usual beige plate, the lunch was free.

During the first year of the Bacas’ management, business was slow with an average of only seven customers coming in daily for lunch. However, there never was a shortage of customers at the Green Lantern Café after those first few years during WWII; some customers became “regulars”, who patronized the café week after week.

The staff for the café through the years included part-time cooks Millie Svoboda, Mary Prihoda, Elphine Gest and Ed Karisch. Two kitchen assistants, Christine McGee and Erna Tiedt, made the chili and stew and did the prep work like peeling potatoes, and Leona Schultz and Elisabeth Polasek worked as dishwashers. One of the evening cooks was also responsible for making pie crusts and hamburger patties for the next day. Many waitresses worked at the café during the years of operation, but the ones with the longest tenures were Lillie Mae Tiedt, Erna Von Minden, Emma Thuemler and Mildred Mueller.

After the Bacas retired, there were several more restaurateurs who rented the cafe, including Erland Schulze and Ivan Fajkus; however, around 1981, Mrs. Harbers decided to sell the property where the café was located to the founders of the Fayette Savings and Loan Bank. Edwin Baca was employed to dismantle the café, where he had spent a large part of his adult life helping to satisfy the gastronomic cravings of many satisfied customers.

When the Green Lantern Café closed its doors for the last time, there were many disappointed people who felt like they had lost an “old friend” – a place that provided them with comfort foods, camaraderie, and the local news shared by customers from around the county. Time marches on, so the Green Lantern Café is only a fond memory now for those of us lucky enough to have lived during its existence. For the senior generation of today, the “cookie-cutter” franchised fast-food establishments can never compete with the nostalgic memories of the “small-town” family-owned cafes of yesteryear, each with its own unique story to tell. The Green Lantern Café more than likely could have spoken volumes, even though it was a mere footnote in the colorful history of our town.

Source: Interview with Mrs. Thelma Baca; June 8, 2009.

The Old La Grange City Library

A literary group intent upon studying William Shakespeare and his works was responsible for the start of a library in La Grange and later for the preservation of the building which served as the city library for 66 years. Organized in 1899, the "literary circle", as the ladies called themselves, met every two weeks with attendance dependent upon the weather.

In February 1902, the group proposed a circulating library under the supervision of the club, thus marking the actual birth of the city library. During that same month, the group joined the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs and adopted the name "Etaerio", meaning companionship. The club began meeting in the La Grange Opera House; an immense wooden structure erected in 1894 at the site now occupied by the La Grange City Hall.

The old Stiehl home at the corner of North Franklin and Fannin Streets was purchased by the club for $700 on May 23, 1912, after the ladies realized the need for a place to store the many volumes in its fast-growing club library. County Judge J.C. Stiehl built the little "fachwerk" structure with its handmade bricks and hand-hewn timbers, joined by wooden pegs, in 1852.

After being purchased by the club, the walls that divided the house, as well as the kitchen, were removed to provide the appropriate space for a library. An underground cistern was also filled in, but the renovations did not affect the overall outward appearance of the building.

Meetings of the Etaerio Club continued until 1938, when the property was transferred to the city of La Grange for use as a public library. The city received the building, property club furnishings and 1,500 volumes in a gift deed. Thereafter, the group ceased to function altogether due to a lack of interest.

Miss Norma Ulrich served as the first librarian, followed by Miss Minnie Crum, Miss Agnes Robson and Mrs. Mae Eldridge. In 1976, construction began on a new library, which was dedicated on April 20, 1978. In November 1984, the historic old library building became the home of the La Grange Fine Arts League. Now 150 years old, the little house still stands in the shade of majestic oak trees, a silent reminder of the past, a time when reading was the primary means of enlightenment, and genteel folk shared their love of learning in literary circles, a time when the books inside assuaged the hunger of locals for knowledge of the world outside. It has served its community well.

Elizabeth L. Bowman (13 Dec 1914 - 8 Aug 2005) , a third-generation La Grange native, was working for the mayor when he needed to hire a librarian in 1938. Several other people applied, but Elizabeth was chosen. Pictured here in the old city library, she said she bound 2,000 books during her time there. She met her husband, Gilbert H. Cox, when he came into the library. They were married April 2, 1940. [Photo and information contributed by her daughter, Lois Ferguson.]

La Grange Gold Rush Company

In early 1849 the exciting news of the discoveries of gold in California at Sutter's Mill stirred the spirit of adventure in people all across the nation. Surprisingly many gold rushers kept diaries of the adventure en route to California. One such record tells the story of one small wagon train from La Grange, Fayette County, Texas to Sullivan's Creek, Tuolomne County, California. Three different men, Captain John Murchison (until his death), Samuel P. Birt (who provided more regular and detailed entries) and John B. Cameron (who took over after Birt left to pursue gold on his own) kept the journal of the La Grange Company.

The La Grange Company was formed when Captain John Murchison heard the news of the gold discoveries. His son wanted to try his luck in the gold fields of California but John did not want him to go alone. So he organized a gold-seeking company in La Grange. Murchison advertised in the local paper the TEXAS DEMOCRAT on March 31, 1849 that he was recruiting persons to join the company. He proposed to run the company in a military style with that type of organization and discipline. Murchison provided himself and the company with ample supplies by borrowing against his estate from the local merchants Breeding and Company. The company planned to follow the route across the staked plains of Texas, up the Pecos River, across the Guadalupe Mountains and over the desert to El Paso del Norte and then on to California. The La Grange Company left home on May 1, 1849 and traveled 75 miles to Austin. The company journal begins on May 27 without mentioning how many men are in the company. By July 11 and 12 seven wagons and forty-three men had crossed the Rio Grande. John B. Cameron made the following record in the company journal following the accidental shooting death of Captain Murchison on July 28, 1949: "Here lies the remains of John Murchison. He was a pious and humble Christian, a worthy member of the M. E. church. A good free mason and an honest man. Reader go imitate his virtues and pray to heaven that thou mayest be so well prepared to die." Six months later on November 10, 1849 the company finally reached its destination with nine men and three wagons. The journal indicates that along the way men had left the wagon train to join other groups or had simply gone off alone.

La Grange Jewish Cemetery

At the south end of Vail Street in La Grange is a small cemetery. It was officially established in 1868 when the La Grange Hebrew Benevolent Society purchased four acres of land on the high bank of the Colorado River about one mile from downtown.

There were already three graves on the site when the land was purchased. Alice Lewis was the first person to be buried at the cemetery. She was born in 1858 and died in 1862. Burials continued at the site until 1934 when local Jews began using the city cemetery. Several of the monuments are beautifully carved with vines and calla lilies. They are inscribed in Hebrew text.

The name of the society was later changed to the Ladies Hebrew Cemetery Association. The last surviving member of the association, Essie Alexander, sold the property in February 1957. The property was re-surveyed the cemetery covers 5.467 acres. The deed stipulated that the new owners would provide for upkeep of the cemetery as well as "provide ingress and egress across adjoining lands." There is no evidence that any of this was done.

The property was sold again in December 1981 to a private citizen. The new owners built a home not far away from the cemetery and tried to maintain the area but the cemetery was already so overgrown that it was a difficult job.

The cemetery had been abandoned for many years with vines and weeds growing over and on the markers. The fence on the west and north sides was wrecked many years ago with only pieces of it remaining. However, part of the fence on the south and east sides were still standing.

In 1997 the cemetery was completely and thoroughly cleaned and some stones repaired under the direction of David Vogel. He enlisted the help of Temple youth groups from both Houston and Austin. They responded enthusiastically and not only cleaned the cemetery but added flowers and grass. Currently Mr. Vogel and the property owners keep the area mowed and trimmed. A total of 32 marked graves exist in the cemetery but it is believed that there may be as many as eight unmarked graves.

The cemetery has been recorded and documented by representatives of the Texas Jewish Historical Society. The Texas Historical Commission has also designated it as a Historic Texas Cemetery. Kelly Scott surveyed the cemetery in May 1992 and recorded inscriptions, including verses and created a map of burials. His findings are filed in the Fayette County Archives.

La Grange Live Oaks

“You can but admire these grand old oaks, that seem to stand sentinel in La Grange, at each and every corner, and as they toss up their broad arms into clear heaven with a spirit and a strength that kindles your dawning pride and purposes and make you yearn for a kindred sprit and a kindred strength to do likewise.” This quote from a “Sketch of Fayette County” by Laura J. Irvine in The American Sketch Book, An Historical and Home Monthly, 1880, so aptly describes the many beautiful live oaks in our historical city that have invoked admiration from local citizens, as well as tourists who are enthralled with trees growing in the middle of city streets. We have lost some of our lovely trees to disease, storms and saw-wielding people with little regard for the preservation of things of beauty. But now in these times of environmental concerns, we have come to appreciate the remaining old stalwarts that have survived their assaults in spite of the odds.

At 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 1994, the ravages of nature took their toll yet again on another majestic live oak that probably stood at the time that La Grange was founded. Located in front of the “Blue Caboose Bed and Breakfast” in the 300 block of North Washington, it just fell over in the silence of the night taking down power lines in its act of self-destruction. Heavy rains earlier in the week and severe internal rot were too much for this top-heavy, shallow-rooted sentinel that had previously withstood innumerable storms and heavy downpours.

The old gnarled tree leaned precariously over Washington Street near the intersection with Lafayette Street that was once part of the old La Bahia Road leading to Moore’s Ferry on the Colorado River, affording it the opportunity to witness the comings and goings of many people in the early days of La Grange. The live oak stood only a short distance from the twin blockhouse at Moore’s Ferry (present-day La Grange), built by John Moore in 1828, that was used as a safe haven for local settlers from marauding Indians. It more than likely “saw” Sam Houston come through La Grange on July 18, 1857, while on his campaign trail, most probably traveling down Lafayette Street, since it was the main road through town. It stood only a block north of its “brother”, the historic oak that marks the spot from which Fayette County sent its sons to battle for over a century. Tenaciously existing next to the railroad tracks, which were built long after its birth from a small acorn, it looked diagonally across the iron rails to the MKT depot that provided a stop-over for passengers traveling from near and far for over 75 years. It “heard” the whistle-stop short speech of Teddy Roosevelt made from the back of a train car when he traveled through La Grange on March 12, 1911, as well as the tearful farewells to soldiers leaving to fight on foreign soil in both world wars. Before the advent of the railroad, it “heard” the sound of a bugle announcing the arrival of the stage coach as it entered the town on Lafayette Street, which later became the route of the railroad through town. One can only imagine what a wonderful legacy this tree could have left, if only trees could talk.

Nothing living lasts forever, but some of us surely miss this grand old tree that was a link with the history that occurred in that part of our town. Several centuries of existence ended in mere minutes of crashing destruction, resulting in the return of the tree to the earth from which it sprang forth.

La Grange Matress Factory

In the 1960’s Arnold and Clara Hunger lived on their farm near La Grange, Texas and decided to buy the Helter mattress factory equipment which was located on highway 77. They purchased the mattress equipment, small cotton gin, and a heavy duty sewing machine (Singer 31-15 Industrial Tailoring treddle machine) and rented a building from August Hunger. They eventually purchased a home at 1094 North Von Minden and a tin building with a wooden floor for their factory.

It was a second marriage for the two. Arnold had a son named Leslie whose mother died when he was 4 years old, and Clara had a daughter Patricia. Clara and Arnold were a team, making new adult small, and double mattresses plus cotton pillows. Mattresses were made either with light duty springs or heavy duty springs (either box springs or innersprings). They also made baby mattresses. If someone had an old mattress and wanted it reworked, they would do that too.

People would bring their own cotton or new cotton was purchased for a mattress. The cotton was ginned by the small cotton gin run by an electric motor and placed on a form the size of a mattress. Boards were used to flatten the cotton, and the cotton was sucked into the cover made of cotton ticking; somewhere during this operation, the innersprings or box springs were added. A crank pulled the cotton into the cover, and the boards were removed. Clara sewed the mattress cover and rolls around the side. Arnold tufted the mattress by hand and needle, attaching the thread to a cotton ball.

Springs came in compressed small bundles by freight and had to be opened outside, tied with a rope and then released. They would stand five feet high when opened. Ticking came in big rolls.

When they received an old mattress to rebuild, some had lint cotton (trash) in them, and they could not use the cotton. If the old mattress had good cotton, but not enough, they added more cotton, and it was ginned to fluff it up. A new cover and springs were added, and the mattress was loaded and tied to the top of the car and taken to Brenham where a heat process was used to sterilize it. They delivered the mattresses tied to the top of the car to the customers. To manufacture a new mattress, it took one to two days.

They manufactured mattresses for the old jail in La Grange, and reworked the mattresses from the jail. Sometimes they found small bags of marijuana in the mattresses to rework. They also did work for the Fayette Memorial Hospital in LaGrange.

Eventually the mattresses got to be too heavy for the mature Hungers to handle. It was time to semi-retire. Arnold started to sharpen saws, circle saws, scissors, knives and lawn mower blades. He and Clara spent more time at church, with the family and working in their garden. They retired in the 1990s.

A collector of antique sewing machines here in Fayette County is now the proud owner of the sewing machine and states it is in excellent condition. The cotton gin was donated to the Schulenburg museum.

Source: Oretha and Leslie Hunger

La Grange Postal Masters

M. O. Meriwether was appointed La Grange's first U.S. Postmaster after the

Postmaster General of the United States assumed control over the Republic of Texas Postal System on May 22, 1845. He served until 1848 when he was replaced by Swante Palm, a Swedish immigrant, silversmith and watch repairman by trade, but a scholar and bibliophile, who later donated his ten thousand book library to the fledgling University of Texas.

Along with Palm, other early La Grange Postmasters revealed different and interesting backgrounds. David Gregory, for instance, was a Presbyterian minister and attorney, while William Hermes practiced medicine and owned one of the earliest drugstores in the state.

Later in the century, the La Grange Post Office made statewide postal history when it established Texas' first rural free delivery route. Following passage of the RFD bill in Congress in 1896, Postmaster H. C. Heilig requested that August F. Loessin, known for his knowledge of the county and is residents, map a satisfactory route.

Henry Cremer was given the authority to circulate a petition to secure the required number of signatures, and on August 1, 1899, the Post Office Department granted the request. Cremer was appointed the first carrier and was succeeded by Charles Lampe two years later.

Walter P. Freytag is characteristic of the distinguished citizens who have served in this capacity. Freytag was a Captain in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was later Superintendent of Schools and Mayor of La Grange. Oscar Cook came to his position through the ranks, previously serving as Assistant Postmaster.

U.S. Postmasters of La Grange were: M. O. Meriwether, 1846; Swante Palm, 1848; David G. Gregory, 1850; James T. Patton, 1865; John W. Farley, 1865; William Hermes, 1866; Arthur Meerscheidt, 1874; William S. Robson, 1887; George L. Siebrecht, 1890; John P. Ehlinger, 1893; Charles H. Helmcamp, 1898; Herman C. Heilig, 1899; August F. Loessin, 1901; L. V. Vanek, 1901; Theodore W. Lueders, 1914; Edmund A. Giese, 1920; Carl Amberg, 1934; Walter P. Freytag 1949; Oscar L. Cook, 1973.

Richard Henning just retired after over 20 years as Post Master. He attended the University of St. Thomas and the University of Houston. Job security and attractive benefits appealed to him and he got his bid for the top postal job in La Grange. He stated that the events of September 11, 2001 shook the postal service and was a reason to be careful. La Grange is in need of a larger building and more parking spaces.

At present [2002] Bill Schwartz is the officer in charge until another postmaster is named.

Early Schools in La Grange Founded by Masons

Judge R.E.B. Baylor, a Mason since 1825, the author of Baylor University’s charter, a member of its faculty and Board of Trustees and a district judge of Fayette County during the Republic and later during statehood, opened a school in La Grange in the mid-19^th century. Another early school, the La Grange Female Academy, was supposed to have been located in a proposed two-story wooden building situated where the Senior Citizen Center is presently located. The structure was not erected for some reason, so classes were held in rented quarters under the supervision of Mrs. Virginia Mayo. It closed its doors before 1850.

From 1850 to 1870, different teachers came to La Grange, taught awhile and left. One teacher, “Judge” B.B. Hudnall, taught elementary subjects for over 20 years from 1852 until approximately 1876. He also served as county treasurer for two terms during his tenure as a teacher.

The most outstanding early school was the La Grange Collegiate Institute, which was established by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The La Fayette Masonic Lodge No. 34 loaned the church $500.00 to assist with the building of the structure, which was situated on the corner of South Jefferson and Walnut Streets. The first session was held in 1848. The upper story of the Institute was used as a lodge room for the Masons. The school was incorporated in 1852 by the State Legislature, but then it closed that same year, possibly due to jealousy and rivalry on the part of various religious denominations in La Grange. Between 1853 to1857, the building was used by various teachers for private schools.

In 1857, the Institute was reorganized, and a school opened under the supervision of R.P. Decherd until 1860. Additional equipment, paint for the building and necessary repairs were provided by local Masons who solicited funds for these necessities. In 1860, an act of the State Legislature changed the Institute’s name to Ewing College. There were 55 students and five faculty members in 1861. The Civil War cut short the prosperity of the school; it again became a private school with various teachers. After the war, it became the Ewing Female College. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church sold the property in 1870, ending the career of one of the most successful early educational institutions in Fayette County. Martha Graves bought the property for $500.00. It subsequently was sold several times, eventually to A.F. Weber. The building, known as the Weber house, was occupied by Roland Froehlich in the 1950s. In 1962, the 114-year old building was dismantled, and Dr. and Mrs. E.L. Fitzpatrick purchased the site for their new home.

Moore's Fort

by Carolyn Meiners

Downtown La Grange is situated on land, which was part of a half league of land granted to Col. John H. Moore on May 17, 1831, by the Mexican Government. Moore previously had a half league grant as a single man, but was entitled to an additional half league upon his marriage to Eliza Cummins. This land was located on the east bank of the Colorado River, beginning at a point where the La Bahia Road crossed the river. Col. Moore was already established in the area in 1828, when he built a cedar log home and a two-story twin blockhouse, which became known as Moore's Fort. A granite marker erected in 1936 designated its first location on North Main Street. The founder of La Grange, Col. Moore was the commander of the Texas troops at the Battle of Gonzales in October 1835. A well-known Indian fighter, Moore led several expeditions against the Indians, which started from this little fort.

A description of Moore's Fort has been found in My Eighty Years in Texas by Physick Zuber. Excerpts from that description state: "There was a double log cabin with the ground for the first floor—a height of eight feet. A round of strong logs jutted out on each side and end, and probably 20 inches beyond the wall below. On these were placed two rounds of logs, one immediately above the wall below and the other six or eight inches farther out, making an opening through which a man could shoot down upon an enemy approaching the wall—a puncheon floor (broad, roughly dressed timbers extended about three feet inward from the side and all around the house. This served as a platform upon which a defender could stand or walk from point to point—A second story was built upon the outer round of logs and was finished as other log cabins—portholes were made in the walls, through which a defender could shoot at an enemy—"

Because of floods repeatedly inundating his home and fort, Col. Moore relocated his family to a farm north of La Grange in 1838. At an unknown time, the blockhouse was dismantled, the logs were numbered, moved and reassembled with the second floor to a new location eventually owned by the Schott family, approximately three miles east of La Grange on SH 159 close to the La Bahia Road. Over the years the old blockhouse was refurbished and covered with siding. The Schott descendants continued to live there until the mid 1970s. Realizing the historical significance of the original structure, the family donated it to the Pioneer Arts Foundation of Round Top, Texas in 1977.

The blockhouse was moved farther from its original site in La Grange, The remaining bottom half of Moore's Fort, one of the oldest existing structures in Fayette County, can be found in a well-maintained setting on the west side of Round Top, surrounded by ancient live oak trees, old wells, and several vintage building. If its walls could talk, the old twin blockhouse would have a remarkable story to tell about its journey.

Fayette County Music Societies – La Grange Handel Club

by Sherie Knape

There were many music societies in Fayette County in the early 20th century. Some of these societies were the Cedar Mannerchor, the Die Froesch, the Edelweiss, the O'Quinn Gemischter Chor, the Fayetteville Gemischter Chor, the Liederkranz, the La Grange Concert Band and the La Grange Handel Club.

The La Grange Handel Club organized on September 25, 1905 in "response to a long felt need among the musically minded of La Grange." The club, under the musical direction of George Lenert, had about 20 charter members. They met weekly for practice at different member's homes and performed monthly for audiences. Eventually the group practiced and performed at the Handel Hall.

The first event was held November 9, 1905 at the music room of Miss Martha Meerscheidt. The Handel choir performed well and a tear was brought to the eye when Fannie Haidusek performed a solo of "Angels Serenade".

Many well-known La Grange residents were members and qualifications for membership were quite strict. Only persons of high character were considered. A by-law in the constitution stated that if you were a resident of La Grange for three or more years and received a unanimous vote of the members you could be admitted. However, if you did not reside in La Grange for at least three years, a secret committee of Handel Club members would be appointed to investigate the character of the applicant. After a thorough and exhaustive investigation the committee would submit a written report, without signatures, to the president of the club. If the report was unfavorable the applicant was denied membership. If the report was favorable the applicant was treated as if they had resided in La Grange for at least three years and a vote was taken.

The club provided frequent recitals for the entertainment of its members, their families and non-resident guests. They also responded to requests for musical performances on many special occasions. Membership in the Handel Club grew to as many as 70 members who either performed in the choir or worked in the Handel Club library. The library consisted of sheet music and other music items that the club had bought and collected over the years.

In May 1938 the charter members of the club met and voted to disband the club and dispose of the assets including all of its property with the exception of the large repertoire of octavo music and books and the Chickering Grand Piano. They also voted to donate their treasury of $500 to the Perpetual Fund of the Ladies Cemetery Association.

Celebrating a Natural Resource

by Donna Green

On Friday, March 27, 1931 a very special celebration took place in the city of La Grange. This event underscored and fulfilled a long cherished wish of many of the citizens of the city. It was a celebration held in recognition that natural gas had become available for use by the public. Average citizens and business owners sighed with relief at the thought that fuel would now be so readily available in their homes and businesses with just the touch of a simple switch. Today the use of gas for fuel is pretty much taken for granted. However in 1931 it was a luxury. Therefore, local officials and members of civic clubs planned a memorable celebration to acknowledge the occasion. The celebration was planned to demonstrate the overwhelming enthusiasm that the local citizens felt for the new utility. The program was to be carried out under the large oak on the courthouse lawn about 7:30 p.m. Community singing was to be led by George E. Lenert. After which the La Grange High School Orchestra would entertain the crowd by playing several selections. Representatives of both the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce scheduled speeches. After those speeches a short talk was to be given by officials of United Gas Public Service Company. This company would be the local provider and custodian of the natural gas. After the program, an official of the Gas Company would ask the public to accompany him to the southeast end of the courthouse lawn. At that location a torch had been erected. There the crowd would witness Fayette County history as the local official of the United Gas Public Service Company ceremoniously ignited the torch for the first time.

Unfortunately the weather turned against the revelers and much of the celebration had to be postponed. But this did not dampen the spirits of the residents of La Grange as a boisterous crowd still gathered in the inclement conditions. Likewise, the gas company officials were determined to prove that gas really was available. So they did manage to light the torch to the immense joy of the sparse but vocal crowd that had gathered at the courthouse.

As of the first official day of available natural gas sixty-one permits had been issued. However, plumbers and gas employees were all kept extremely busy installing service lines and lying pipes in private residences.

Fayette County Poor House

by Donna Green

In 1881 the county established a "poor house" in La Grange. It was located about two miles east of the town on Cedar Creek.

Mr. John Rankin was awarded the contract for taking care of the paupers who wished to go to the house. Any person who applied for assistance from the county was ordered there. Mr. Rankin was paid $11.50 per month for the care and feeding of up to ten persons. If there were more than ten people in residence he was paid an extra $8.00. Rankin was also allowed $9.00 for each one that he buried.

The house was a one-story building containing eight rooms for the residents. The house was arranged so that the blacks were separated from the whites and the men were separated from the women. The first group of residents to arrive at the poor house was two white women, three black women and two black men. Many of the residents were in the closing years of their lives, enfeebled with age and unable to sustain themselves. Most of the residents had suffered lives of toil and struggle and were now dependent upon the kindness of strangers for their welfare.

Mr. Rankin hired Mrs. Drennon and her daughter to attend to the house and make sure that it was kept clean. The ladies also did all the cooking and tended to the residents when they were ill. After the editor of the La Grange Journal toured the new facility he stated in the paper " we were very much gratified to find that the house was as clean as a new pin and the beds looked clean and comfortable. Mrs. Drennon and Mr. Rankin are evidently doing their duty by the unfortunate persons who have been placed in their charge."

Two and a half acres of ground enclosed the area around the house. In this space the residents grew many vegetables including tomatoes, onions, beans, peas, corn and Irish potatoes. The county furnished the residents with all the bacon they could eat plus some molasses and biscuits at least once a week.

The editor of the Journal concluded his article in this way; " We could not but congratulate ourselves and the community upon the good appearance presented by this institution of charity in our midst and feel impressed with the results of an enlightened and christianized world."

Randolph High School

by Kathy Carter

The original La Grange Colored High School building was a large two-story frame structure located on East Guadalupe Street. Professor G. A. Randolph became principal of the school in 1910. At that time the faculty consisted of the principal and three or four teachers. This lack of available instructors meant that each teacher was required to teach as many as three grades. There was no specialized instruction in any subject nor were there coaches for any sport. These challenges did not seem to bother Professor Randolph and he answered them in many creative ways. Since there was no agriculture teacher he planted a garden and had the students tend it.

Students would practice all sports together under the direction of one or two teachers. Even with this handicap the school still produced outstanding athletes who outclassed many city high schools in tournaments held at Prairie View College. Schools were not classified by size as they are today. All schools participated in "may the best man win" events. The students from La Grange always took home their fair share of the prize-winning banners in academic as well as athletic competitions.

Under the leadership of Professor Randolph and his staff the school did its best to serve the community. The school made long-lasting progress under Randolph. The first piano was bought for the school with the help of the Parent-Teacher Association. New library books, tools for classes and a sewing machine were also acquired for the student's use.

In 1934, the La Grange School Board generously decided to help construct a new school. This brick building was built on Pearl Street where it still stands today. Professor Randolph retired in 1941 and died in 1945. The next year the La Grange School Board named the new school in his honor. Randolph High School continued to prosper and to succeed with great leadership from principals such as W. M. Collins, Lee Doree Jolly, William Farris and Shellia Hatch.

In the late 1940's many rural schools were consolidated and closed and the students were bussed to Randolph from all over the county. As attendance grew more teachers were added and in 1949 an elementary principal was hired.

The Randolph School was very active until the mid-1960's when integration closed its doors. The La Grange Independent School district still utilizes part of the building today.

La Grange Footprints of Fayette Articles