I love the town of La Grange, with it’s picturesque courthouse square, German bakery and a tightly winding road with a dramatic view! Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery SHS sits just south of town, and we always plan to stop and stretch our legs here when driving along Hwy 77 from DFW to the Coastal Bend, one of my favorite drives!
Check out My Mommy Tips for making the most of your visit.
1. Know Before You Go
Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery are FREE to tour, and designated State Historical Sites.
Bring your walking shoes, it’s a terrific hike down to the brewery remains.
2. Picnic
It’s hard to find a prettier place for picnic, so pack up a cooler or basket, or grab some German sausage in town to bring out!
3. Interpretive Center
A small Interpretive Center gives you a glimpse of life in La Grange during the 19th century, as well as an introduction to the Kreische family who built the home and brewery.
Guided tours of the home and brewery are offered year round on the weekends, or can be scheduled for group tours.
4. Monument Hill
Monument Hill recognizes the sacrifices of two groups of Fayette County men, those of the 1842 Dawson Massacre and the 1843 Black Bean Death Lottery, during the capture of San Antonio by Mexican forces six years after Texas won it’s independence at San Jacinto. .
5. The Colorado River
The Colorado River runs through La Grange, and makes an amazing view from the top of Monument Hill. During our most recent visit, we saw these cattle getting a drink from the river, but the year before this valley was full of deer.
6. Scenic Overlook
Yes, bring your camera.
7. Kreische Home
If possible, try to take one of the docents FREE guided tours, offered on the weekends. If you miss it, try to find a docent who is willing to tell you the story of this colorful family. Trust me, the docents LOVE to talk!
8. Kreische Brewery Ruins
The Kreische Brewery was said to be the first brewery in Texas, and produced Bluff Beer using the nearby spring water.
9. Events at Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery SHS
Personally, I don’t believe there is a better time to visit than in March, when the trees have just turned green and the purple flowers line the walk down to the brewery! However, these annual events are terrific!
From the SHS website:
- Trail of Lights is held during the first half of December on selected evenings, where visitors can experience a trail, beautifully-decorated with Christmas lights, that overlooks the lighted town of La Grange. It follows along a 200-foot bluff and through the Kreische home, decorated more traditionally with Christmas trees, wreaths, lamps and candles, entertainment, and refreshments.
- Texas Heroes Day: Annual event on the Saturday closest to Sept. 18. Enjoy a day of honoring Texas heroes, including those who fought and died for the Republic of Texas. The event specially commemorates the men of the Dawson Massacre and the Mier Expedition. Enjoy pioneer craft demonstrations, re-enactors, cannon and musket salutes, dulcimer music, historic flag display, a special presentation, and guided tours.
10. Texas Horny Toad
I’ve never gotten a picture of our little friend, but every time we have visited we’ve spotted a Texas Horny Toad sunning itself on the rocks leading to the Kreische smokehouse.
11, The Springs
Take the walking tour down to the Kreische Brewery, and you’ll pass by the springs which supplied the water for Bluff Beer.
12. Make a Day of It
Visit historic downtown La Grange, and the Fayette County courthouse. Here stands the Muster Oak, one of the Famous Trees of Texas, where the men in 1842 were sworn in. Since that time, men from Fayette County have met at the tree before going off to war.
The Jersey Barnyard offers a taste of life on a farm, and fresh milk, too! Kids can milk a cow and bottle feed a calf!
Plum Park on the Colorado is one of four Lower Colorado River Authority Parks near La Grange, and offers primitive camping as well as easy access for canoeing and kayaking the Colorado River. Click HERE for more information.
Fayette Lake offers fishing and water sports, as well as hiking and biking trails, tent and RV camping and furnished cabins at Oak Thicket Park. Click HERE for more information.
Stay
The Guest Quarters at Dos Lagos offers beautiful lodging on a 10-acre Olive Grove just out of town. Click HERE for more information.
Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery SHS
414 State Loop 92, La Grange
(979) 968-5658
Click HERE to visit their website
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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