"My friends thought I was crazy to move here to a cattle ranch," says Jennifer Rightmer of Muldoon. Raised in Houston, she met her husband, Clay, at a livestock show. "But I love it here and wouldn't consider raising our children anywhere else."
It's easy to see why. Winding country roads pass over rolling hills, hay fields and pastures with ponds shaded by oak and elm trees.
This is prime cattle country. The county ranks near the top in the state in beef cow numbers and beef cow herds.
In the spring, the fields and hills are a carpet of color from blooming wildflowers. Sure it's hot in the summer; it is Texas, after all. But the winters are mild.
Czechs and Germans immigrated to this southeastern-central Texas region beginning in the 1840s. The rolling Blackland prairies and forests were reminiscent of their own homeland. They were eager to bring their customs, work ethic and way of life.
The Texas Independence Trail runs along the county's northern border, a reminder of the republic's struggles against Mexico.
But while the region honors the past, it's looking to the future. Fayette County is less than 90 minutes from Austin to the north, San Antonio to the west and Houston to the east.
This golden triangle brings wealthy weekenders and retirees to the area looking to escape the concrete jungle and relax in a rural retreat. Local Extension officials hold a series of new landowner education seminars each year to teach them how to properly manage their land.
Ralph Frerichs has mixed feelings about this influx of new property owners. He is a third-generation dairy farmer in La Grange, one of only a handful of dairies left in the county. Frerichs and his wife, Faith, note demand for land is driving up prices, making it difficult for farmers to expand.
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But like any good business people, they see opportunity. The Frerichs use their farm as a successful agritainment venture called The Jersey Barnyard. Visitors come to see how a real dairy farm operates and shop in their country store that includes cheese made from their Jersey cows.
"People leave with a better appreciation for agriculture and for the cost of a gallon of milk, which was our ultimate goal in the first place," says Faith.
La Grange, with a population of 4,500, is the largest town and also the county seat. The infamous Chicken Ranch brothel once operated on its outskirts. The town is nestled along the Colorado River and provides many of the area's commercial, civic and exceptional medical services.
A huge masonry and stone Romanesque Revival courthouse dominates a town square of restored buildings filled with a variety of businesses, boutiques, restaurants, retail and coffee shops. Be sure to stop by Weikel's Bakery for a tasty kolache, a Czech pastry with cheese or fruit filling inside a bread roll.
To the north is Round Top. Twice a year, thousands of treasure hunters descend upon the smallest incorporated town in Texas (population around 80) and surrounding communities for AntiqueWeekend. Round Top is also big in historical preservation and supporting the arts.
In the southern corner of Fayette County is Schulenburg, home to a satellite campus of Blinn College. Its strategic location to I-10 and state highway 77 attracts various industries and manufacturing plants. The town is also the starting point for touring the "painted churches," with their beautiful interiors of traditional fresco and stenciling.
For newcomers like Beatrice Schulze, Fayette County is a dream come true. Her husband, Emmett, lived in Rutersville as a boy. After Beatrice left the restaurant business near Houston, they retired to La Grange. Retired is a relative word because they started Rosemary's Vineyard and Winery.
"It's such a world of difference here," she says. "It's easy living. There's no traffic. And there are lots of activities and festivals geared toward families. I'm living my dream."
"We know they're [people from the city] coming," says Clay Rightmer, a third-generation cattle rancher. "We're taking the approach that this is a positive thing. Those with families tend to be very active in the community, and they bring new ideas and skills."
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FEATURED PROPERTIES IN THIS COUNTY FROM THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER REAL ESTATE DATABASE>> |
More info on the web:
La Grange Independent School District
www.lgisd.net/Portal
La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce
www.lagrangetx.org
General County Information
www.co.fayette.tx.us
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