Hwy 237 - The Road to Antique Heaven

Round Top Town Hall

Last week I decided to spend a couple of hours driving over to Round Top, TX which is a well known small town in Texas due to the antique show held twice a year there. Now during the antique shows, HWY 237 is a bustling road full of people that are searching for the best deals on whatever treasure warms their heart. But the day I went it was a different experience.

As I travelled straight up to Round Top, Hwy 237 was an easy drive through some of the prettiest country in Central Texas. The ranches on either side full of green grasses and trees were a delightful and serene site. The wind was gently blowing and the leaves on the tree danced as one passed them. It was easy to get lost in the beauty of nature but I was on a mission. I wanted to visit this little town and see other historical markers along the way. I decided that I would go straight to Round Top and then make my way south on Hwy 237 and back to Hwy 71 to go home.

When I arrived in Round Top it was quiet with just a few people walking around and popping in and out of stores. I visited a few of the stores but mostly just looked around at the historical buildings and the beautiful garden that sat in between several of the shops. The main historical building in this part of Round Top was the Town Hall which was in 1925. It is a simple two story building that looks the same on two sides with 3 windows across the top and two on the first floor with a large door and is still in use today as a meeting hall.

Next up was popping in a few of the antique stores and then enjoying some quiet time in the garden area. After walking around the downtown for a while - which is a short jaunt, I got in my car and headed south stopping in a couple of antique shops before I arrived Junk Gypsy and saw a fabulous old home that was derelict in the field next to the store. I just love the beauty of these abandoned homes and wonder what life was like in them.

After leaving Junk Gypsy, I then stopped at the world's smallest Catholic Church which is an active church. It was the cutest little building with a small graveyard surrounding it. Note to self - need to attend mass there when they hold it! It was beautiful and was opened so of course I had to go inside and see this little gem. I wasn't disappointed and left inspired and on to the next destination.

The next two stops were in Oldenburg and Rutersville to read the historical markers that described the small communities that were there. When I say small, I mean smaller than a map dot. These are definitely blink and you miss it communities but their history is fascinating. Oldenburg was part of a Mexican land grant to Nathaniel Townsend but was sold to a succession of people and by 1885 two gentleman purchased 18 acres of the original land grant and started the community. It was named after their hometown in Germany. Rutersville was founded on the suggestion of Dr. Martin Ruter who wanted to create an institution for higher learning. In honor of him it was named Rutersville. He died in 1838 before he could complete his goal but a group of missionaries who were Methodist like him bought the land and created the town and institution. Unfortunately after the Civil War the original settlers sold their land but the descendants of the buyers still live in Rutersville.

From there I travelled back home passing the Jersey Barnyard - they sell milk and ice cream which is very good. You can also visit them for a tour of the dairy, feeding the animals and of course buying fresh milk.

All in all it was a fun afternoon and I will be back especially during the antique shows which never fail to draw crowds and have interesting treasures.