La Grange, Texas Travel Guide

Folks from around the world think of La Grange as home of " The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." The memory of the Chicken Ranch lives on, although the country's most famous brothel is long gone.

To locals, however, La Grange is a quiet farm town with a classic Texas courthouse square and home of a historic park where you can take the family and experience a quiet nature walk.

Attractions

indicates TexasTripper top picks

Fayette Heritage Museum. Local history exhibits and art are showcased in this museum located at 855 S. Jefferson. The museum is also home to the public library.

Hermes Drug Store. Dating back to 1856, this is the oldest drugstore in continuous operation in Texas. Located at 148 North Washington Street on the Square.

N.W. Faison Home. This site was once home to N.W. Faison, a survivor of both the Dawson Massacre and the Mier Expedition in 1842. A family home for over two decades, today the historic home is filled with the family's furniture as well as exhibits from the Mexican War. Open by appointment. Located at 822 South Jefferson Street.

Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historical Park

Other La Grange area parks

Old Fayette County Jail and Visitors Center. Now the home of the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce, this historic building once housed the Fayette County Jail, serving in that role for a century. Open weekdays 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Location: 171 South Main Street, (800) 524-7264; www.lagrangetx.org.

Muster Oak. Northeast corner of courthouse square. Beneath this historic oak tree, Captain Dawson gathered 53 troops to join the Texas-Mexican Revolution in 1842.

Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. Located near the fair grounds, this home, with its original hardwood floors, now contains displays about the region’s Czech history. Exhibits are in English and Czech. Plans are underway for the construction of the Texas Polka Music Museum at the site as well, to include costumes and memorabilia about the Czech, Polish, and German musicians who entertained in the region. Open weekdays 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and on weekends by appointment. Location: 250 West Fairgrounds Road; (888) 785-4500 or (979) 968-9399.

Where to Eat

Prause's Market

Weikel's Bakery. The Czech specialties for which this region are known make up many of the offerings at this highway-side bakery. Kolaches and pigs-in-the-blanket are top items; kolaches come in a range of flavors from pineapple to poppy seed to prune. The bakery may not look like much from the outside (well, actually it looks like a gas station) but this simple eatery was named one of America’s top 10 bakeries by foodies Jane and Michael Stern in Epicurious and for good reason. Open daily. Location: 2247 West TX 71; (979) 968-9413; www.weikels.com.

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