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MONUMENT
HILL
& Kreische Brewery State Historical Parks
La
Grange, Texas
by John Troesser
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Getting There:
If you enter La
Grange from the north, east or west, you'll pass through downtown
La Grange (one block from the intersection of 71B and Hwy 77).
On the NE corner of the square you'll
see the Muster
Oak under whose branches the men of the Somervell/Mier
expedition were sworn in. This may mean nothing to you now,
but after visiting Monument Hill you will understand its significance.
This is one of the "Famous
Trees of Texas" and
while many are in their decline, the Muster Oak looks healthier
than it did in photographs from the 1940s.
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Muster Oak,
La Grange
TE Photo |
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As you leave La
Grange on Hwy 77 South, the road starts to climb and wind immediately
after crossing the Colorado River. When you reach the top, the road
to the right will take you the 2/10ths of a mile to Monument Hill
State Park. This is SPUR 92. There is no light at
the top, so be careful. |
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Monument
Hill overlooking the Colorado River and La Grange
TE Photo |
Monument Hill
and Kreische Brewery State Historical Parks
We will say right here and now, even if it harelips the governor,
that this is the most under-appreciated State Historic Site in the
system. Although short on activities, it should be famous if only
for it's overlook of La Grange and the Colorado River.
Architecturally it has the ruins of the Kreische
Brewery and the restored Kreische
home, both hand built by Adolph Kreische and made from locally
quarried stone.
The main attraction is the burial vault of the men of the
Sommervell/ Mier Expeditions. This footnote to Texas History is
perhaps the biggest single event to influence Mexican-Republic of
Texas-United States relations and was a major factor in the annexation
of Texas to the United States. |
Monument
Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Site
414 State Loop 92 La Grange, TX 78945-5733
979/968-5658
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/monument/
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Grange, Texas
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Grange Hotels >
Our special
thanks to Gordon
Heskco of www.heskco.com for providing us with his Monument Hill
images.
© John Troesser |
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