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Discover Schulenburg:
A HIDDEN GEM IN FAYETTE COUNTY Welcome to Schulenburg, a community rich in history, culture and small-town hospitality in the heart of Fayette County. Located within easy reach of Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Victoria, Schulenburg is an ideal destination for a day trip, weekend getaway or longer stay. We invite you to slow down, explore and enjoy everything our community has to offer.
DIANA MIKESKY
Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce Board President
Begin your morning with a fresh pastry and a cup of coffee before visiting our museums, locally owned shops and businesses. Take a drive through the countryside, where rolling farmland, open skies and seasonal wildflowers provide a beautiful backdrop throughout the year.
Schulenburg is perhaps best known as the home of the Painted Churches. These treasured landmarks reflect the faith, artistry and cultural heritage of the German and Czech immigrants who settled this area. Visitors may join a guided tour or stop by the Chamber for a map and explore the churches at their own pace. When it is time to eat, Schulenburg offers plenty of choices. Our local restaurants serve everything from traditional German and Czech favorites to Mexican food, barbecue and familiar Texas classics. Those wishing to stay longer will find welcoming bed-and-breakfasts, comfortable hotels and convenient RV parks. Schulenburg is more than a place to visit. It is a community where traditions remain strong, neighbors support one another and local pride can be seen throughout town. From Friday nights spent cheering for the Shorthorns to the educational opportunities offered by Blinn College and the quality healthcare available locally, Schulenburg is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.
The Schulenburg, Texas magazine is produced and published by Texas-based Trips Publications, a publisher with a focus on small towns throughout Texas. To view all of the towns in the Trips Publications family, visit tripspublications.com or call 979-725-3080 to request copies.
Michelle Banse Partner/Publisher
Lori Olivarez-Ligues Partner/Sales
Kara Kleimann Gary Carpenter Reporter/Photographer Brooke Ligues Sales Associate Deborah Stolar, Cynthia Rios, Garrett Rios
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Editorial - 979-725-3080 michelle@tripspublications.com
The Greater Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce is proud to support our local businesses, welcome visitors and encourage growth that strengthens our community. Whether you are here for a visit, considering a move or returning to a place you already love, we hope you feel at home in Schulenburg.
Advertising/Circulation - 979-451-0826 lori@tripspublications.com
We invite you to explore our community, meet our residents and experience Schulenburg for yourself. Follow the Greater Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce online for upcoming events and community news. We look forward to welcoming you.
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Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce 618 North Main Street Schulenburg, Texas 78956 979-743-4514 | www.schulenburgchamber.org
HISTORIC SCHULENBURG
Schulenburg grew rapidly after the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway reached the area in 1873. The rail station helped transform the community into a shipping center for cotton, cottonseed and cattle and buffalo hides. Photo courtesy of the Schulenburg Historical Museum.
The Town the Railroad Built TRACKS LAID ACROSS THE NAVIDAD PRAIRIE IN 1873 TRANSFORMED OPEN COUNTRYSIDE INTO A THRIVING CENTER OF COMMERCE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY Schulenburg did not slowly take shape over generations. It arrived with the railroad. When the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway pushed its tracks across the Navidad Prairie in 1873, a new town quickly sprang up beside them. The community was named for Louis Schulenburg, whose land became part of the railroad site. The depot gave farmers, ranchers and merchants something they had not had before: a direct connection to larger markets. Cotton, cottonseed and cattle and buffalo hides moved through the rail station, carrying the products of the surrounding countryside far beyond Fayette County. People and businesses followed, turning open prairie into a busy commercial center.
Schulenburg’s identity today. Among the town’s early business leaders was John Christian Baumgarten Sr., who operated a cotton gin, lumberyard, planing mill, sash and door factory and cottonseed-crushing plant. In 1883, he opened the Schulenburg Oil Mill, further connecting the town’s growth to the agricultural economy around it. Progress came quickly. Schulenburg had electric lights by 1896. By the mid-1940s, the town had more than 100 businesses, along with cotton gins, manufacturing companies, a machine shop and the Stanzel Co., where model airplanes were produced.
Schulenburg received a post office in 1874 and incorporated in 1875. By 1884, only about a decade after its founding, the town had approximately 1,000 residents, two churches, a bank, schools, 13 general stores and four saloons.
The trains helped build Schulenburg, but its residents gave the town its lasting character. German and Czech influences can still be found in local food, polka music, festivals and the ornately decorated Painted Churches that dot the surrounding countryside. Museums preserve stories of the railroad, early industries and families whose work shaped the community.
Many of the families who built the community were German, Austrian and Czech immigrants who had begun settling the area in the mid-1800s. They established farms, businesses, churches and social organizations, bringing traditions that remain part of
Today, Schulenburg remains a crossroads. The railroad town of 1873 now sits near Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 77, still welcoming travelers and connecting communities more than 150 years after the first tracks arrived.
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DISCOVER SCHULENBURG: So Much to See & Do Schulenburg rewards visitors who take the time to look beyond the highway. Aviation history, local artifacts, shady park grounds and community ballfields reveal different sides of the town, while longtime gathering places offer food, music and a chance to experience the area as residents do. Whether the day calls for exploring a museum, watching a game or finding a seat near the dance floor, these Schulenburg-area destinations make it easy to fill an afternoon or an entire weekend. STANZEL MODEL AIRCRAFT MUSEUM - Long before drones and video games captured young imaginations, Victor and Joe Stanzel were designing model airplanes that introduced generations of children to the thrill of flight. The Schulenburg brothers turned their fascination with aviation into a successful manufacturing company, earning 25 patents and developing model aircraft, toys and other inventions. The museum preserves that legacy through displays devoted to the brothers, their company and the people who helped build their products. The museum complex includes the Stanzel family’s ancestral home and exhibits housed near the company’s original factory site. The Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum is located at 311 Baumgarten St. in Schulenburg. Learn more at stanzelmuseum.org.
Top: Wolters Park offers visitors plenty of room to play, relax and enjoy the outdoors in the heart of Schulenburg. Bottom: The Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum celebrates Schulenburg’s aviation heritage and the model aircraft innovations of brothers Victor and Joe Stanzel.
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BY MICHELLE BANSE, PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY CARPENTER
WOLTERS PARK COMPLEX - Large trees and open grounds make Wolters Park a natural gathering place for families, community organizations and special events. The park includes a pavilion, picnic tables, barbecue pits, a playground, a swimming pool and Turner Hall, providing space for everything from a quiet afternoon outdoors to reunions and community celebrations. Its location near other local attractions also makes it an easy stop during a day spent exploring Schulenburg. Wolters Park is located at 1103 Bohlmann St. in Schulenburg. Information is available on the Parks and Recreation page at schulenburgtx.org. SCHULENBURG HISTORICAL MUSEUM - The Schulenburg Historical Museum tells the story of a town built by the railroad and shaped by generations of German, Czech and Austrian families. Its collections preserve photographs, documents, household objects, business memorabilia and other pieces of local history. The museum occupies the former Wolters Mercantile building, constructed in the early 1900s, adding another layer of history to the experience. John and Karen Wolters established the museum, which has operated in the building since 1988. Admission is free, although donations are accepted. The Schulenburg Historical Museum is located at 631 N. Main St. in Schulenburg. Learn more at schulenburghistoricalmuseum. com. CITY OF SCHULENBURG SPORTS COMPLEX Schulenburg’s community spirit is easy to see when the fields are full and families are gathered for a game. The city’s Sports Complex hosts baseball, softball and other recreational activities for local players and visiting teams. The grounds provide a dedicated place for practices, league play and tournaments, making the complex an important part of community recreation. A new playground adds another option for children and families spending time at the facility. The Schulenburg Sports Complex is located at 300 H.N. Schwartz St. in Schulenburg. Rental information and other details are available on the Parks and Recreation page at schulenburgtx.org. Continued on page 8.
Top left: The City of Schulenburg Sports Complex provides fields and facilities for baseball, softball and other recreational activities. Top right: Docent Mary Wellborn shares Schulenburg’s history with visitors to the Schulenburg Historical Museum, where exhibits preserve the people, businesses and everyday life of the community. Bottom right: Artifacts, photographs, equipment and memorabilia fill the Schulenburg Historical Museum, offering visitors a look at the community’s history and heritage.
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AREA ATTRACTIONS - continued from page 7
JOE’S - Joe’s brings sports, food and entertainment together in downtown Schulenburg. Designed as a hometown hangout, the restaurant and bar offers a casual place to watch a game, meet friends or settle in for dinner and drinks. Its menu includes familiar favorites such as burgers and wings, along with Sunday brunch. Evening hours, televised sports and entertainment help keep the atmosphere lively long after many downtown businesses have closed for the day. Joe’s is located at 621 N. Main St., Suite B, in Schulenburg. Menus, hours and additional information are available at joestx.com and through Joe’s – Your Hometown Hangout on Facebook and @joeshometownhangout on Instagram. MORAVIA STORE - A short drive southeast of Schulenburg leads to a place where Czech Texas history is not displayed behind glass. It is still part of everyday life. Moravia Store opened in 1889 as a country market and saloon and remains in its original building, complete with wooden floors, an old bar and shelves that have witnessed generations of conversation. Owner Henrietta Filip reopened the store as a bar in 1996 after it had been closed for several years. Today, photographs, license plates, signs and other relics cover the walls, while live music and dances continue the building’s long tradition as a community gathering place. Moravia Store is located at 11501 FM 957 near Schulenburg. Find current events and updates by searching for Moravia Store on Facebook.
Top: Joe’s offers burgers, drinks and a laid-back gathering place in downtown Schulenburg, with televised sports adding to the atmosphere. Bottom: The historic Moravia Store has served as a community gathering place for generations, continuing a tradition of food, music, dancing and conversation that dates to the 1800s.
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AT JACK & MARY’S, COFFEE, MEANINGFUL WORK AND EVERYDAY CONNECTIONS ARE HELPING AND THEN A NEW DAY CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH LEARNING CHALLENGES. When Erin Wotipka began thinking about what would become And Then A New Day, she kept coming back to young adults she had known years earlier as a teacher. She had watched them grow up with the structure of school, surrounded by teachers, friends, activities and goals. Then, at age 22, they aged out of the school system. Top: Colorful Jack & Mary’s offers a welcoming spot to relax in the shade with coffee, specialty drinks, homemade muffins and snacks. Bottom: And Then A New Day founder Erin Wotipka creates products through the I Make program. The program gives Crew members meaningful work that can be adapted to different ability levels while building practical skills.
“We don’t want to simply keep people busy,” Erin said. “We want them to have a reason to get up in the morning and be excited about their day. We want them to discover what makes them happy and what gives them purpose.”
“Their peers were going off to college, getting jobs, meeting new people and beginning this whole new stage of life,” Erin said. “Why shouldn’t they have their own version of that?”
Jack & Mary’s became another piece of that mission. Crew members may prepare drink orders, package coffee beans roasted in-house, stock supplies, clean, make products through the I Make program or deliver drinks in the community.
That question eventually grew into And Then A New Day and, later, Jack & Mary’s in Schulenburg, a coffee shop and community space where members of the And Then Crew can put skills into practice through real work and everyday interactions.
“There are real customers, real orders, real responsibilities and real interactions,” Erin said. “Our Crew gets to practice working, communicating, problem-solving and being part of their community, while our customers get the opportunity to know them as people.”
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BY MICHELLE BANSE, PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY CARPENTER
“We don’t want to simply keep people busy. We want them to have a reason to get up in the morning and be excited about their day.” ERIN WOTIPKA, JACK & MARY’S
The name Jack & Mary’s comes from two of Erin’s first students. Jack, who was on the autism spectrum, sometimes struggled socially. Then Mary moved to Schulenburg and, one day in second grade, chose Jack as her lunch companion. “From that day forward, they were best friends,” Erin said. “They played together on the playground, talked about their favorite animals and television shows, and simply enjoyed being together.” Jack died unexpectedly two years later. But Erin never forgot their friendship or its simple beginning. “Mary chose to sit beside Jack,” she said. “She didn’t need a program teaching her how to include him. She just gave him a chance.” Years later, that became the model for the space Erin and her husband, Ryan, wanted to create. “We want people to discover that our differences don’t have to separate us,” Erin said. “Sometimes they’re exactly what allows us to understand, appreciate and learn from each other.” And Then itself also began with something small. Aaron, one of Erin’s former students, had aged out of school and was struggling to find purpose in his days. One thing he could do independently was take out the garbage. Continued on page 12.
Top: And Then A New Day creates opportunities for young adults with learning challenges through meaningful work, social connections, life skills and experiences in the community. Bottom: Brooke Shimek carefully packages an air freshener made through And Then’s I Make program. Crew members take part in creating, packaging and preparing products.
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COMMUNITY SPIRIT - continued from page 11
Preslie Foster, Brooke Shimek and Anthony Benedict work together to package coffee roasted in-house and sold at Jack & Mary’s. The work gives Crew members opportunities to follow directions, complete tasks and contribute to a product customers purchase.
“I remember thinking, ‘What can we build from that?’” Erin said. The answer was recycling. In 2017, Erin and Aaron began collecting recyclables from local businesses. Suddenly, Aaron had a job, a schedule and people counting on him. That small recycling effort became the beginning of And Then A New Day. Nearly nine years later, Aaron works alongside other Crew members and helps with tasks at And Then and Jack & Mary’s. “Taking out the trash might not sound like much, but we saw something Aaron could do successfully and asked, ‘Where can we go from here?’” Erin said. “Look where it took us.” That same philosophy continues at Jack & Mary’s, where Erin wants customers to come first because the coffee, atmosphere and people are worth coming back for, not out of sympathy. “I hope people leave understanding that individuals with learning challenges don’t just need services,” Erin said. “They need opportunities. They need friendships. They need responsibilities. They need places where they’re known and needed.” And, she said, that need is hardly unique to the And Then Crew. “We all need purpose. We all need people. We all need somewhere we belong.” Jack & Mary’s is located at 610 Lyons Ave. in Schulenburg. Learn more about Jack & Mary’s at jackandmarys.com and And Then A New Day at andthenanewday. com. Left: Ty Janak stocks products at Jack & Mary’s, one of the many responsibilities Crew members take on while developing workplace skills and greater independence.
12 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
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EATS & TREATS
A Place at Maria’s Table AT EL VAQUERO NO. 2, FOOD, FAITH AND A WARM WELCOME TURN CUSTOMERS INTO FAMILY. Maria E. Vega learned early that cooking was a way to care for people. She was about 11 when she began helping her mother prepare meals, and she still remembers the satisfaction of putting a large meal in front of her family. “My mother taught me how to cook,” Maria said. “I cooked a big meal for everybody, and everybody said it was really good.” The lessons included the Mexican dishes that remain close to her heart: bistec ranchero, carnitas, fajitas and enchiladas. Today, Maria brings that experience and love of serving others to El Vaquero No. 2 in Schulenburg, where she manages the restaurant and makes hospitality as important as what comes from the kitchen. Top: Gilbert Picornio carries a selection of dishes from El Vaquero No. 2’s extensive menu to waiting diners. Bottom: El Vaquero No. 2 manager Maria E. Vega welcomes guests with the warmth and conversation that have helped make the restaurant feel like home.
“I like to meet people. I like to be friendly,” she said. “I love when I see everybody enjoying the food.” The Schulenburg restaurant grew from the success of the family’s original El Vaquero in Hallettsville, which Maria’s sister runs. Customers from Schulenburg, Flatonia and surrounding communities were already traveling to Hallettsville for the food. Her sister saw an opportunity to bring the restaurant closer to them and asked Maria to take it on.
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BY MICHELLE BANSE, PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY CARPENTER
“Customers tell me they feel like they are coming to see family. A lot of customers say, ‘We come over here because we want to see you.’” MARIA E. VEGA, EL VAQUERO #2
Some people warned the family that other restaurants had struggled at the Schulenburg location. Maria chose to try anyway.
of working as long as the food and service meet the restaurant’s standards.
“My sister said, ‘We try,’” Maria recalled. “I leave everything in God’s hands. God will take me where I have to go. If this is an opportunity, I will take it.”
“I tell them, ‘This place is for all of you and for your jobs. It’s not only for me,’” she said. “Nobody is less than me, and I am no more than anybody. I treat everybody equally.”
That leap of faith found a receptive community. Maria said guests regularly tell her that walking through the restaurant’s doors feels less like visiting a business and more like coming home.
She also hires local students, including her 17-yearold daughter, who works as a busser after school. Maria said she wants young people to have a productive place to work, learn and stay connected.
“I hug everybody,” she said. “Customers tell me they feel like they are coming to see family. A lot of customers say, ‘We come over here because we want to see you.’”
The menu offers daily specials, lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and options ranging from fajitas and Mexican plates to chicken-fried steak, shrimp, Friday fried fish and baked potatoes. Asked to name one favorite, Maria hesitated because she tastes the food herself and believes it is all worth recommending. Continued on page 16.
Maria extends that family-minded approach to her employees. Several have worked with her since the restaurant opened. She trains them carefully, but she also gives them room to find their own efficient way
15 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
Above: Colorful artwork brightens the dining room at El Vaquero No. 2, where guests may choose between booth and table seating. Televisions provide a view of game-day action.
EATS & TREATS - continued from page 15
“It depends on the customer,” she said. “Do you want steak? Do you want seafood? Do you want a Mexican plate or a salad? I listen, and I find the plate.” Above all, Maria credits the customers who returned, told others and helped the small business endure. “My customers brought me where I am now,” she said. “They really support this business. I love my customers.” El Vaquero No. 2 is located at 405 Summit St. in Schulenburg and can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/ vaqueroresturant.
Top: A server delivers lunch to a guest working at a table inside El Vaquero No. 2. Bottom: The restaurant’s covered patio offers outdoor seating overlooking Summit Street.
16 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
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STAY AWHILE
Farmhouse Haven Preserves a Piece of Texas History AN 1880 FARMHOUSE NEAR SCHULENBURG OFFERS GUESTS A QUIET RANCH RETREAT WHILE PRESERVING THE CHARACTER OF A HOME THAT HAS STOOD FOR MORE THAN 145 YEARS. Farmhouse Haven was never intended to become a vacation rental. When Laura and Dan George took possession of the property in 2020, they renovated the 1880 farmhouse as a place for family and friends to stay when visiting. But once the work was finished, Laura began to reconsider. “Originally we renovated the farmhouse for guests and family to stay in when they came to visit, but then it seemed like a waste of a beautiful property to remain empty the rest of the year, so we made the decision to share it with others,” Laura said. In doing so, they opened the doors to a home with a history stretching back more than 145 years. The farmhouse was built in 1880 for John and Anna Franke Schuddemagen. John was the son of Conrad and Wilhelmine Bauer Schuddemagen, German immigrants who settled in Round Top. He grew up in a family home that still stands there today. Anna came from the Black Jack Springs area near Freyburg, and the Franke and Schuddemagen families became closely connected. Three sets of children from the two families eventually married. One of those marriages offers a clue to the farmhouse’s builder. John’s sister, Lydia, married Anna’s brother, Paul Franke, a builder by trade. Left: Laura and Dan George welcome guests to Farmhouse Haven, an 1880 farmhouse they restored while preserving much of the home’s original character.
18 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
BY MICHELLE BANSE, PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY CARPENTER
“We love Schulenburg, so to introduce it to others is a pleasure.” LAURA GEORGE, FARMHOUSE HAVEN
Left: Shaded by mature oak trees, Farmhouse Haven’s front porch offers guests a quiet place to relax and take in the surrounding ranch views.
“Paul, a builder by trade, built a house one hill over from our Airbnb in 1887,” Laura said. That home is now being restored, and “we believe Paul was also the builder of our Airbnb house, Farmhouse Haven.” John and Anna lived in the farmhouse for about a decade. The Deterling family later purchased the home and farm and remained there until the 1950s. The McKay family of Houston then purchased the property, cared for it and used it as a vacation home until 2020. Restoring a home with that much history required deciding what to change and what to leave alone. The original farmhouse was rectangular, with two downstairs rooms, each with its own front door, and three upstairs rooms. A kitchen and dining wing is believed to have been added in the 1920s. “As we restored the house, we tended to keep the original part of the house original while taking liberties with the 1920s addition,” Laura said. They added a full bathroom, updated the kitchen and opened the wall between the kitchen and dining room. They also preserved as many of the original wavy glass windows as possible.
“We felt this was a good compromise between keeping the house historical while also making it inviting to modern travelers,” Laura said. The history they preserved includes family stories as well as architecture. John and Anna had eight children, four born in the farmhouse. One family story tells of Anna walking to a neighboring hill to visit a relative, leaving 8-year-old Lily in charge. Anna had recently washed curtains, and while she was gone, Lily cut the fabric and sewed pinafores for her 1-year-old twin siblings, Louis and Louise. “Lily maintained her dressmaking skills throughout her life,” Laura said. Today, it is the peacefulness of the property that guests often remember. “We love to hear about how peaceful the ranch location is and how the many porches lend themselves to lazing with a cup of coffee or evening drink and enjoying the views,” Laura said. Continued on page 20.
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STAY AWHILE - continued from page 19 The porches, patio and winter fire pit provide places to gather, while Schulenburg is only about a 10-minute drive away. Guests come for weddings, church tours, festivals, antique shopping and quiet weekends in the country. “I think we are surprised how gratifying it is to share our lifestyle with others that are looking for a ranch experience,” Laura said. “We love Schulenburg, so to introduce it to others is a pleasure.” Perhaps most gratifying is seeing guests connect with the history Laura and Dan worked to preserve. “It’s amazing how many of them browse our Farmhouse story in our welcome guide and truly appreciate the history of the home,” Laura said. And when those guests leave, she hopes they take more than photographs with them. “We hope that they take a fond memory of Texas history and ranch life home with them and that they treasure their time at Farmhouse Haven shared with their friends and family,” Laura said. To learn more or book a stay, find Farmhouse Haven on Airbnb. Top: Built in 1880 on a hill in southern Fayette County, Farmhouse Haven features a large covered front porch and secondstory balcony overlooking the surrounding countryside. Middle: Period antiques mingle with comfortable modern furnishings in the living room, reflecting Laura and Dan George’s approach to preserving the farmhouse’s history. Bottom: A large outdoor fire pit provides another gathering place for guests during cooler fall and winter evenings, with ample seating and a grill for cooking over the open fire.
20 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
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ON THE GROW
St. Rose of Lima Catholic School welcomes students into the new school year with an updated façade and extensive improvements to its historic campus.
Historic Halls, Renewed Future ST. ROSE RENOVATIONS PRESERVE THE SCHOOL’S CHARACTER WHILE ADDING MODERN SAFETY AND LEARNING SPACES. Generations of Schulenburg families have walked the halls of St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. Following a renovation years in the making, students are learning in buildings that retain that familiar character while providing the safety, technology and infrastructure a modern school requires. Principal Taylor Jensen said the effort began when Mr. Stanzel approached the school about making a lasting difference. “Mr. Stanzel began this project years ago when he came to the school to discuss what he could do to impact the future for Saint Rose and has remained steadfast in seeing this project through,” Jensen said. “There are several dedicated individuals who have committed themselves to this project to see the project come to fruition.” The elementary building received the most extensive work, including new electrical, heating and air-conditioning, plumbing and security systems. Many of those systems had become significantly outdated.
From left, the Rev. Jasper Liggio, Ted Stanzel and Principal Taylor Jensen stand outside the renovated St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. The project modernized the campus while preserving the historic character familiar to generations of St. Rose families.
“When you walk into the elementary building now, it has the same SRS family feel with beautiful red accents, all with upgrades and so inviting,” Jensen said. The SRS annex was also fully renovated, while the junior high received new paint, carpet, cabinetry and furniture. Across the project, improving safety was the school’s highest priority.
22 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
BY MICHELLE BANSE, PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY CARPENTER
Left: An architectural rendering illustrates the master plan for the complete renovation of St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. Below: The upgraded computer lab gives St. Rose students access to technology and digital resources that support classroom learning.
“Our buildings were dated, so we needed to ensure the safety of our students, all while supporting all of our learners today,” Jensen said. Modernizing the main school building, which dates to 1889, required careful decisions about which historic elements must remain. The building committee began by identifying its nonnegotiable features, particularly the windows. “The windows are and were a huge character piece to this beautiful building,” Jensen said. Construction also offered glimpses into the building’s past. Crews uncovered portions of the original structure and materials, including hardwood floors Jensen described as beautiful. “Actually, the entire process was a discovery, in my opinion,” she said. “One of our biggest challenges was keeping the integrity of the 100-plus-year-old building.” The result has impressed current families and former students alike. Jensen said the school held two opportunities for alumni to tour the renovated campus. “They were so excited to see the changes, but also realize that the history is still intact,” she said. Students, employees and parents have responded with continued enthusiasm. Continued on page 24.
23 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
ON THE GROW - continued from page 23
“It has brought our SRS family together, united our community, and reconnected our alumni, all for one beautiful cause: our love for our school and, most importantly, our love for Jesus.” TAYLOR JENSEN, ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL “The excitement is still apparent,” Jensen said. “The kids, the staff, the parents all show excitement. It is absolutely refreshing and feels like a fresh start.” Jensen credited the building committee and the wider Schulenburg community with making that fresh start possible. Support included financial contributions, donated materials, volunteer labor and other acts of generosity. “The outpouring of support we have received from our community has been truly heartwarming and is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to invest in the future of our students,” she said. The first two renovation phases are expected to serve St. Rose well into the future. In addition to secured buildings and updated systems, the work created more space and a learning lab with an emphasis on technology. For Jensen, however, the project represents more than physical improvements. “This project means more to me than I could ever put into words,” she said. “It has brought our SRS family together, united our community, and reconnected our alumni, all for one beautiful cause: our love for our school and, most importantly, our love for Jesus. What an incredible blessing it has been to witness so many people come together with one shared purpose and one shared heart.” St. Rose of Lima Catholic School is located at 405 Black St. in Schulenburg. Learn more at strosecardinals.org.
Top: Ted Stanzel stands beside a display detailing the St. Rose renovation project. Stanzel contributed generously to the renovations in honor of his late wife, Wanda, and encouraged others to help make the project possible. Bottom: The renovated library offers students a comfortable place to read and study, with inviting seating and additional shelves filled with books.
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Kloesel’s Steakhouse and Bar was founded in July 1970 by Harvey and Diana Kloesel - a Texas tradition for over 55 years.
101 East Moore Ave, Moulton, Texas 361-596-7323 | www.kloesel.com CALL FOR TAKEOUT OR RESERVATIONS
OPEN Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 9pm, Closed Mondays FULL-BAR, NIGHTLY SPECIALS AND HAPPY HOUR
MUSIC BINGO EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT– HAPPY HOUR ALL NIGHT LONG
Kloesel’s Catering Service - Now offering alcohol-to-go
HISTORICAL TOUR
Known as the Queen of the Painted Churches, St. Mary’s rises above the rolling countryside near High Hill. Completed in 1910, its striking red brick exterior is instantly recognizable on the landscape and draws visitors from across the region. The interior of St. Mary’s Catholic Church is just as breathtaking. A stained-glass crucifix at the center of the main altar serves as the focal point, while the vibrant windows imported from Germany create an unforgettable display of color and craftsmanship.
Home of the
PAINTED CHURCHES The Painted Churches open to the public are located in the communities of Dubina, High Hill, Praha and Ammannsville. The communities of St. John and Moravia also have Painted Churches that may be viewed by guided tour only. From the outside the buildings appear simple, but stepping through the doors reveals breathtaking interiors filled with remarkable color and detail.
Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Dubina is one of the most distinctive historic churches in Texas. The current church was completed in 1911 after the original structure was destroyed by a tropical storm in 1909. Unlike many of the region’s painted churches built of brick, it retains its traditional wood exterior and sits beneath towering oak trees in the quiet countryside. Built by early Czech settlers, the church remains a beautiful reminder of the area’s deep cultural and religious heritage.
All of the churches remain active parishes and hold services on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors may tour the churches Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but should always be respectful of any services or events taking place. To book a guided tour of the Painted Churches or for more information, please call (979) 743-4514.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY CARPENTER
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church stands in what was once a thriving farming community built around the cotton industry. Ammannsville grew as local families worked the surrounding fields, and the church became the heart of the settlement. Often called the Pink Church for its distinctive color, it remains a cherished link to the past and is admired by parishioners and visitors alike for its beauty and warm, welcoming atmosphere.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the little church on the hill, is the oldest original church in the area. Built in 1888, it continues to serve parishioners in the community of St. John and beyond. The interior features a hand-painted mural by local resident Gene Mikulik.
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, completed in 1895, once stood at the center of the booming town of Praha. The ceiling was painted by Austrian artist Godfried Flurry. In 2015, a renovation restored the ambo and communion rails, while historic artwork continues to hang behind the altar.
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Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in Moravia was built in 1912 and continues to serve this farming community. The church is distinctive for its cross-shaped design, which sets it apart from many early churches in the region. Engineers believed the shape would better withstand storms after two nearby churches were destroyed in 1909.
YEARLY GATHERINGS
Schulenburg’s Annual
CALENDAR OF EVENTS A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE TO LOCAL CELEBRATIONS AND TRADITIONS
JANUARY • Schulenburg FFA General Ag Mechanics and Livestock Show • Knights of Columbus Dinner and Sportsman Raffle
AUGUST • Schulenburg Festival, first weekend • Knights of Columbus Dinner • St. Mary’s Catholic Church Picnic, Praha, Aug. 15
FEBRUARY • Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department Dinner • Catholic Daughters Dinner • Knights of Columbus Dinner
SEPTEMBER • St. Mary’s Catholic Church Picnic, High Hill, Sunday before Labor Day
MARCH • St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Spring Festival APRIL • Schulenburg Sausagefest, first Saturday • Garden Club Annual Flower Show • Knights of Columbus Dinner • Altar Society Dinner, Palm Sunday MAY • Knights of Columbus Mother’s Day Dinner • VFW Post 5623 Memorial Day Service • American Legion Dinner JUNE • Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce 90 Miles on 90 Garage Sale, first full weekend • St. Rose of Lima Church Picnic • St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Picnic, Ammannsville, Father’s Day • Sharks Swim Team Dinner • Schulenburg Little League Dinner JULY • St. John the Baptist Church Picnic, St. John, Fourth of July • Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church Picnic, Dubina, first Sunday • Ascension of Our Lord Church Picnic, Moravia, third Sunday • Knights of Columbus Dinner
OCTOBER • Knights of Columbus Turkey Dinner • Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary Dinner • Trick-or-Treat Around the Track • Citywide Garage Sale • Schulenburg Literary Club Fundraiser Dinner NOVEMBER • Schulenburg Chamber Wine Walk and Sunset Shopping, third Saturday • Veterans Memorial Service, Praha, Sunday before Veterans Day • Schulenburg Chamber Shop Local Days begins Friday, Nov. 27 • Knights of Columbus Dinner • Schulenburg Chamber Letters to Santa begins Monday, Nov. 30 DECEMBER • St. Rose of Lima Catholic School Christmas Around the World • Schulenburg Lighted Christmas Parade and Santa’s Party in the Park, first Sunday • Schulenburg Chamber Letters to Santa ends Thursday, Dec. 17 • Schulenburg Chamber Shop Local Days ends Friday, Dec. 18 • Schulenburg Chamber Residential and Commercial Decorating Contest, Friday, Dec. 18
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YEARLY GATHERINGS
Members of the color guard present the flags during the Schulenburg Sausagefest, one of the community’s annual downtown celebrations.
SCHULENBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS:
Schulenburg’s Sausagefest & Lighted Christmas Parade with Santa’s Party in the Park
A young festivalgoer dances in the street during the Schulenburg Sausagefest, where live entertainment, food and activities bring families to downtown Schulenburg.
Sausage takes center stage each spring during Schulenburg Sausagefest, a downtown celebration filled with food, music and friendly competition. The festival celebrates the German and Czech heritage that helped shape the community.
When spring gives way to the Christmas season, the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce brings the community downtown once again for another annual tradition, the Lighted Christmas Parade and Santa’s Party in the Park.
Sausage makers put their recipes to the test in competition, with entries ranging from fresh, smoked and dry sausage to klobasniky and creative sausage-based dishes. Visitors get plenty of opportunities to sample the reason for the festival while spending the day exploring downtown Schulenburg.
Lighted floats, vehicles and other entries illuminate the parade route as spectators line the streets to welcome the Christmas season. After the parade, the celebration continues with Santa’s Party in the Park, giving children and families an opportunity to visit with Santa and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
The family-friendly event also brings live music and street dancing, arts and crafts vendors, a walking parade and 5K fun run to the heart of town. Some of the day’s most entertaining competitions embrace the festival’s playful side, with activities such as hog calling and the sausage toss adding to the fun.
From sausage and street dancing in the spring to glowing parade entries and Santa in December, both invite residents and visitors to gather with friends and neighbors.
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For dates, schedules and additional information on Chamber events, visit schulenburgchamber.org.
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
Built Around Family FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, SHIMMERING WATERS POOL SERVICE HAS HELPED FAMILIES CREATE PLACES TO GATHER. FOR OWNERS CHAD AND MELISSA HELMS, THAT WORK ALSO PROVIDES A WAY TO HONOR THEIR SON, DAYTON, AND SUPPORT FAMILIES FACING CHILDHOOD CANCER. Chad Helms began cleaning swimming pools while he was still in high school. At 18, he turned that early experience into a business of his own. When Chad and Melissa met in 2001, they also became business partners. In those early years, Shimmering Waters Pool Service consisted of the two of them cleaning pools together while Melissa attended college to earn her bachelor’s degree in teaching. Today, the company builds, remodels, repairs and maintains pools from Central Texas to the Port Aransas area. Despite that growth, its purpose remains rooted in something simple: helping families enjoy time together at home. “We have a passion for making families happy with their backyard vacation and meeting all types of people,” Melissa said. “We believe family is number one and where is a better place to do that than at home?” That commitment to family took on even greater meaning through the life of Chad and Melissa’s son, Dayton, the fourth of their five children. From left, Avery, Chad and Melissa Helms own and operate Shimmering Waters Pool Service and Construction, which has served customers for more than 30 years from locations in Schulenburg and Port Aransas.
Dayton was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, at 14 months old. He underwent treatment at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, spending much of the following months in the hospital. After a period of remission, the cancer returned shortly after his second birthday. Dayton died July 21, 2012.
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BY MICHELLE BANSE, PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY CARPENTER
“Each pool helps another family smile during a time when it is so hard to smile.” MELISSA HELMS, SHIMMERING WATERS POOL SERVICE
During his illness, keeping both the family and the business going required help from their extended family. Chad and Melissa did everything they could to give their children a sense of normalcy amid circumstances that were anything but normal. “We tried making it as normal as possible for our family,” Chad said. “It’s times like these that you have to rely on God, or you won’t survive mentally, spiritually or physically.” The experience also changed the way the Helms family approached everyday difficulties. “We learned that you can’t get upset over spilled milk,” he said. “You have to always stay positive and kind to everyone.” While living at the hospital with Dayton, Melissa noticed how much the siblings of young cancer patients were enduring. Much of the attention understandably centered on the child receiving treatment, but their brothers and sisters were also frightened, displaced and in need of reassurance. To honor Dayton, Shimmering Waters now makes a donation to Dell Children’s for every new pool the company builds. The donations provide gifts for children receiving cancer treatment and their siblings. “Giving gifts to the cancer patients and their siblings is extremely important because family has always been number one to us,” Melissa said. “Each pool helps another family smile during a time when it is so hard to smile.” Customers have embraced the mission as well. Some have donated items themselves, while others have declined referral payments and asked the company to use the money to purchase additional gifts. As Shimmering Waters has expanded, the Helmses have also formed lasting relationships with the people they serve. “We have met so many wonderful people and have even become great friends with some,” Melissa said. “Everyone has their own special story. We never imagined we would make so many friends, and it has been a true blessing to build multiple pools for some of our clients.” More than three decades after Chad cleaned his first pool, the family hopes Shimmering Waters will be remembered for something deeper than its work. “We hope we are remembered for our dedication to family and God,” Melissa said. Shimmering Waters Pool Service is located at 1870 N. U.S. Highway 77 and online at shimmeringwaterspoolsinc.com. They have a second location in Round Top.
Top: A display pool outside the company’s Highway 77 office in Schulenburg showcases Shimmering Waters’ design and construction work. Middle: Shimmering Waters carries pool chemicals, equipment and other supplies for customers who maintain their own pools. Bottom: They operate 12 service trucks throughout Schulenburg and surrounding communities.
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SCHULENBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADVERTISING McDaniel & Co. FM 2672 979-561-8600 AGRICULTURAL SERVICES Bumper Crop Texas 804 Bohlmann Avenue 979-743-4157 BWI Companies 100 North Main Street 979-743-4581 Farmers Co-Op Mill & Feed 811 Bohlmann Avenue 979-743-3153
ART GALLERIES & WORKSHOPS Arts for Rural Texas 114 North Live Oak, Fayetteville 979-378-2113 Hallet Oak Gallery 115 North Main Street, Hallettsville 361-217-7030 Live Oak Art Center 1014 Milam Street, Columbus 979-732-8398 ATTORNEYS
BOOKKEEPING
COMPUTER & TECHNICAL
H & R Block 609 North Main Street 979-743-3656
CompuCleanser 501 North West Street, Weimar 979-743-1199
Mintage, LLC 1203 Kessler Avenue, Suite 204C 979-561-6018 Novak & Company 720 Lyons Avenue 979-743-3213 Renee H. Mikesky, CPA 979-561-6227 BUSINESS CONSULTING
AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING
Don Blansitt 523 North Main Street 979-743-3629
All Tech Electrical 1109 Summit Street 979-505-0558
Katrina Packard, PC 523 North Main Street 979-743-4574
Leon’s Electric & Plumbing, Inc. 719 Upton Avenue 979-743-3056
Ryan & Dawson 716 Upton Avenue 979-743-4128
And Then 622 Lyons Avenue 979-966-7402
AUTOMOTIVE
BRIDGE 512-703-0552
Leon John’s, Inc. 605 Upton Avenue 979-743-3800 Winkler’s Air Conditioning 1513 North Highway 77 979-743-9098 AMUSEMENT Rocky Creek Maze 784 County Road 251, Moulton 361-772-4718
Cavender Auto Country 1700 I-10 East, Weimar 979-725-8515 Chuck Brown Ford 315 East I-10 Frontage Road 979-743-4111 BAKERY Original Kountry Bakery 110 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4342
APPLIANCES
BANKING & CREDIT
Audio-Video Plus 250 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4485
Fayette Savings Bank 87 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-6541
Leon’s Electric & Plumbing, Inc. 719 Upton Avenue 979-743-3056
Huntington Bank 200 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-4576
Leon John’s, Inc. 605 Upton Avenue 979-743-3800
Prosperity Bank 301 Bucek Street 979-743-2500
Winkler’s Air Conditioning 1513 North Highway 77 979-743-9098
Texas Farm Credit 24610 New Bremen Road, New Ulm 281-939-2913
Mintage, LLC 1203 Kessler Avenue, Suite 204C 979-561-6018 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
League of Women Voters of South-Central Texas 512-497-1561 Led and Fed 979-743-0031 Schulenburg Garden Club 979-253-2224 Schulenburg Library Foundation 310 Simpson Street 979-743-3345 Schulenburg Lions Club 979-561-6291 Schulenburg Literary Club 310 Simpson Street 713-628-9513 Swiss Alp Dance Club 713-775-3524 Turtle Wing Foundation 1203 South Kessler Avenue 512-497-2758
Michalke Consulting, LLC 979-743-5617 CONSTRUCTION SERVICES All Tech Electrical 1109 Summit Street 979-505-0558 Dooley Inspections, LLC 1111 Schulenburg Lane, Columbus 979-732-4779 Faith Family Plumbing Company 3812 Mensik Road 979-403-4453 Fayette County Habitat for Humanity 210-816-0942 Frank’s Skid Steer 979-505-2585 J & P Farek Paving Consultants 361-772-0054 Leon’s Electric & Plumbing, Inc. 719 Upton Avenue 979-743-3056 Leon John’s, Inc. 605 Upton Avenue 979-743-3800 M.C. Fence & Deck 6245 West Highway 90 512-581-8818 Schulenburg Glass Company 409 Summit Street 979-743-4378 Shimmering Waters Pool Service Inc. 1870 North Highway 77 979-743-3355 DENTAL Schulenburg Family Dental 717 Upton Avenue 979-743-4138 Smithville Community Clinic 808 SE MLK Drive, Smithville 512-237-2772
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Tejas Health Care 890 East Travis, La Grange 979-968-2000
Texan Store 25 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-3666
DINING
Tillie’s Café 621 North Main Street, Suite C 979-743-4505
Bella Sera 30 East Avenue 979-505-4030 Cistern Country Store & Bar 12604 North State Highway 95, Flatonia 361-865-3655 City Market 109 Kessler Avenue 979-743-3440 Dairy Queen 77 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-3687 El Vaquero 2 405 Summit Street 979-505-4000 Garden Company Café 217 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4677 Garrett Cooks 610 Wolters Avenue 979-743-2300 Get n Go 201 708 North Highway 77 979-743-7431 Jack & Mary’s 610 Lyons Avenue 979-966-7402 Joe’s 621 North Main Street, Suite B 979-743-4505 Kloesel’s Steakhouse & Bar 101 East Moore, Moulton 361-596-7323
Tom’s BBQ 1306 Lyons Avenue 979-743-1352 Whataburger 40 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-9166 DRY CLEANING Country Fresh Cleaners 270 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4668 EDUCATION Blinn College – Schulenburg Campus 100 Ranger Drive 979-743-5200 Schulenburg Independent School District 521 Shorthorn Drive 979-743-3448 St. Rose of Lima Catholic School 405 Black Street 979-743-3080 EMPLOYMENT Career Tracks 404 Fawcett Street, Smithville 512-332-6850 Personnel Services 36 East Avenue 979-743-2604 ENTERTAINMENT
Oakridge Smokehouse Restaurant 712 North Highway 77 979-743-3372
Bugle Boy Foundation 1051 North Jefferson Street, La Grange 979-968-9944
Original Kountry Bakery 110 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4342
Cistern Country Store & Bar 12604 North Highway 95, Flatonia 361-865-3655
Pilot Travel Centers 709 North Highway 77 979-743-2547 Red Vault Bistro 124 East South Main Street, Flatonia 361-865-3663
Darrel Appelt Music 979-732-4777 Fayette County Country Music Opry 640 South Madison Street, La Grange 979-966-3568
SCHULENBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Joe’s 621 North Main Street, Suite B 979-743-4505
The Oaks at High Hill 1800 Bruno Road 512-226-3886
Lyric Theater 120 East South Main Street, Flatonia 361-458-2500
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Majek Vineyard & Winery 12508 FM 957 210-413-8912
Edward Jones 602 Lyons Avenue 979-743-5187 FITNESS, HEALTH & BEAUTY
Moravia Store 11501 FM 957 979-562-2217
Anytime Fitness 501 North Main Street 979-505-5055
Ole Moulton Bank 101 North Main Street, Moulton 361-596-7495
Schulenburg Family Fitness Center 145 Regency Avenue 979-743-2864
Round Top Festival Institute 248 Jaster Road, Round Top 979-249-3129
The Herb Cottage 442 County Road 233, Hallettsville 361-258-1192
The Oaks at High Hill 1800 Bruno Road 512-226-3886 Upstairs at the Downstairs 525 North Main Street 979-743-1448 ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS Schulenburg Festival – Wolters Park www.schulenburgfestival.org Schulenburg Sausagefest 979-743-4514 Songwriter Serenade 714-856-8491 EVENT PLANNER Events by Kitty 832-372-1008
FLORAL & NURSERIES Garden Company Marketplace 217 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4648 The B Haus Nursery 382 FM 2672 512-284-4515 The Flower Box 615 North Main Street 979-743-3219 FUEL & TRUCK STOPS Get n Go 201 708 North Highway 77 979-743-7431
EVENT VENUES
Love’s Travel Stops 900 South Eagle Street, Weimar 979-725-8625
Freyburg Hall 5701 Freyburg Hall Road 281-914-6659
Pilot Travel Centers, LLC 709 North Highway 77 979-743-2547
Svetlik Farm, LLC 2616 FM 2672 979-743-3219
Texan Store 25 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-3666
Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center 250 West Fairgrounds Road, La Grange 979-968-9399
FUEL DISTRIBUTOR Patriot Fuel Distributors, LLC 2340 North Highway 77, Hallettsville 361-772-8658
FUNERAL SERVICES Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home 701 South Main Street 979-743-4151 GOVERNMENT City of Schulenburg 535 North Main Street 979-743-4126 Senator Lois Kolkhorst 2000 South Market Street, Brenham 979-251-7888 GRAPHIC DESIGN
Texas Farm Credit 24610 New Bremen Road, New Ulm 281-939-2913 LODGING Das Meyer Haus 527 Anderson Street 832-726-2286 Farmhouse Haven 5343 Schilhab Bottom Loop 713-542-1465 Lyons House 604 Lyons Avenue 559-280-8344
LODGING – HOTELS Holiday Inn Express 200 Heinrich Street 979-307-5555 Olle Hotel 218 South Market Street, Flatonia 361-772-0310 LODGING – RV & CAMPING Schulenburg RV Park 65 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-4388 MANUFACTURED HOMES
Blue Oak Creative 281-435-4711
Messy Mule Acres 1034 High Hill Road 979-561-6947
Fayette Country Homes 751 Huser Boulevard 979-743-6192
Entre Media 603 North Main Street 940-453-8803
Middle Creek Place 2301 Demel Road 979-743-4907
Texas Built Mobile Homes 371 IH-10 Frontage Road 979-330-4663
GROCERY & CONVENIENCE STORES
Moore Ave. Cottage 1005 James Avenue 979-743-0307
MANUFACTURING
Get n Go 201 708 North Highway 77 979-743-7431 Love’s Travel Stops 900 South Eagle Street, Weimar 979-725-8625
Papaw’s Place – The Farm 1261 County Road 221 979-373-7438 Paradise Hill Resort 2700 Bruno Road 979-743-0570
Dairy Farmers of America 801 James Avenue 979-743-8700 Perdue Foods 1315 Russek Street 979-505-2797 Prime Industries 633 Oakland Road 979-743-6577
Pilot Travel Centers, LLC 709 North Highway 77 979-743-2547
Rosie’s Homestead 1111 Freyburg-Engle Road 713-315-1743
Texan Store 25 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-3666
Schulenburg Ranch Retreat 158 County Road 223A 713-594-3829
INSURANCE
Summit House 508 Summit Street 559-280-8344
Entre Media 603 North Main Street 940-453-8803
The Gathering at Mulberry Creek 5718 Kainer Road 210-831-7171
MEAT MARKETS
Farmers Insurance 501 Summit Street 979-743-2120 Fayette County Farm Bureau 411 East Colorado Street, La Grange 979-968-5889 Hollas Insurance Agency 1033 North Highway 77 979-561-7169 Partners Insurance 714 Lyons Avenue 979-743-4148
The Ranch Retreat 1826 County Road 283, Flatonia 210-831-7171 The Sinclair 1319 Summit Street 210-831-7171 The Yellow Rose 2210 FM 615 979-966-5026
33 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
Prime Products, Inc. 601 South Main Street 979-743-6555 MARKETING & CONSULTING
City Market 109 Kessler Avenue 979-743-3440 Willie Joe’s Processing 2218 Krischke Road 979-561-8272
Hospice Brazos Valley 1048 North Jefferson Street, La Grange 979-821-2266 Sleep Solutions of Central Texas 2395 Highway 71 West, Suite A, La Grange 979-702-1528 Smithville Community Clinic 808 SE MLK Drive, Smithville 512-237-2772 Tejas Health Care 890 East Travis, La Grange 979-968-2000 MUSEUMS E.A. Arnim Archives & Museum 101 East North Main Street, Flatonia 361-865-3455 Schulenburg Historical Museum 631 North Main Street 979-743-2403 Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum 311 Baumgarten Street 979-743-6559 Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center 250 West Fairgrounds Road, La Grange 979-968-9399 NIGHTLIFE Bugle Boy Foundation 1051 North Jefferson, La Grange 979-968-9944 Cistern Country Store & Bar 12604 North Highway 95, Flatonia 361-865-3655 Freyburg Hall 5701 Freyburg Hall Road 281-914-6659
MEDICAL & HEALTH
Joe’s 621 North Main Street, Suite B 979-743-4505
Andre Eye & Optical 115 College Street 979-505-4023
Kloesel’s Steakhouse & Bar 101 East Moore, Moulton 361-596-7323 Continued on page 34.
SCHULENBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Moravia Store 11501 FM 957 979-562-2217 Ole Moulton Bank 101 North Main Street, Moulton 361-596-7495 Upstairs at the Downstairs 525 North Main Street 979-743-1448 OFFICE SUPPLIES & PRINTING Dewitt Poth & Son 102 West Street, Yoakum 361-293-3791 Schulenburg Printing & Office Supplies, Inc. 705 Upton Avenue 979-743-4511 PEST CONTROL Bugman, Inc. 1138 Highway 90 West, Weimar 979-725-8139
PROPANE DISTRIBUTOR
RENTALS
Tex Propane 100 South Main Street 979-743-3351
Mica Rentals 2662 Nickel-Mica Road, Flatonia 361-865-3871
PUBLICATIONS Schulenburg Sticker 405 North Main Street 979-743-3450 Trips Publications, LLC 406 West Main Street, Suite 105, Weimar 979-725-3080 REAL ESTATE All City Real Estate 102 North Kessler Avenue 979-224-6234 Bubela Real Estate 603 North Main Street 979-743-4555 Cindy Wingo Realtors 713-927-4910
PHARMACY
Hollas Real Estate 1033 North Highway 77 979-561-7169
Apothecary 38 East Avenue 979-743-3265
South Central Real Estate 135 Regency Drive 979-743-1737
Your Hometown Pharmacy 104 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-7100
Tri-County Realty, LLC 260 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-2159
PHOTOGRAPHY
RELIGIOUS
Gary Carpenter Photography 409-599-4695
Freyburg Methodist Church 4520 FM 2238 979-217-1151
Kacy Lynn Photography 503 Kellett Avenue 832-704-0799 PLUMBING Faith Family Plumbing Company 3812 Mensik Road 979-716-0534 Leon’s Electric & Plumbing, Inc. 719 Upton Avenue 979-743-3056 Leon John’s, Inc. 605 Upton Avenue 979-743-3800
God’s Embrace Ministries 1601 High Hill Road 979-561-8883 Restitution Revival United 702 Hillje Street 254-717-7756 St. James Missionary Baptist Church 1103 James Avenue 979-997-1207 Temple Israel 211 Baumgarten Street 979-562-2199 United Evangelical Lutheran Church 2038 FM 3171 979-561-5020
Texas Tents 2049 Interstate 10, Weimar 713-724-0453 SCREEN PRINTING Schulenburg Printing & Office Supplies, Inc. 705 Upton Avenue 979-743-4511 TreHouse Embroidery & More 107 East Main Street, Weimar 979-725-8844 SENIOR SERVICES Anytime Fitness 501 North Main Street 979-505-5055 College Place Assisted Living 210 College Street 979-743-6180 Hospice Brazos Valley 1048 North Jefferson, La Grange 979-821-2266 Paradigm at the Oaks 507 West Avenue 979-743-4159 Schulenburg Family Fitness Center 145 Regency Avenue 979-743-2864 Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center 111 College Street 979-743-6537 Schulenburg Regency Retirement Villas 205 East Avenue 979-743-4791 Senior Connections 1111 Bohlmann Avenue 979-743-3227
Country Oak Boutique 641 North Main Street 979-743-7413 Crystal Threads 102 North Kessler Avenue 979-743-4846 E & S Fashion Shop 615 Summit Street 979-561-6461 Flatonia Farmer’s Market 208 East North Main Street, Flatonia 361-208-4058
SHOPPING – ANTIQUES The Engle Emporium 402 Anderson Street & 609 Kessler Avenue 979-743-7000 & 979-743-7002 TAX SERVICES H & R Block 609 North Main Street 979-743-3656 Novak & Company 720 Lyons Avenue 979-743-3213
Garden Company Marketplace 217 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4648
Renee H. Mikesky, CPA 979-561-6227
Grahmann’s True Value 515 North Main Street 979-743-4332
Clear Title Company 230 West Colorado, La Grange 979-968-5885
Habitat Restore 825 North Main Street 210-816-0942 Hallettsville Market Days 361-772-0084 Iron Oak Apparel 635 North Main Street Jack & Mary’s 610 Lyons Avenue 979-966-7402 Le Petite Gourmet Shoppe 226 West Colorado, La Grange 979-968-4000 Piper Jo & Co. 108 Kessler Avenue 832-689-6683 Potter Country Store 716 North Highway 77 979-743-2600 The B Haus Nursery & Marketplace 382 FM 2672 512-284-4515
SHOPPING
The Flower Box 615 North Main Street 979-743-3219
Apothecary 38 East Avenue 979-743-3265
The Wild Card Boutique 621 North Main Street, Suite A 979-250-1519
Audio-Video Plus 250 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4485
TreHouse Embroidery & More 107 East Main Street, Weimar 979-725-8844
34 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
TITLE COMPANY
TRANSPORTATION Bert & Bill’s Taxi 804-605-2664 CARTS 5300 Tucker Hill Lane, Cedar Creek 512-505-5623
VETERINARY & ANIMAL SERVICES Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter 240 Svoboda Lane, La Grange 979-966-0021 Schulenburg Livestock 746 East US 90 979-743-6566 Schulenburg Veterinary Hospital 108 Upton Avenue 979-743-3147 WINERIES Majek Vineyard & Winery 12508 FM 957 210-413-8912 Moravia Vineyard & Winery 12564 FM 957 713-449-7885 YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS & SERVICES Boys & Girls Clubs of Champion Valley 101 West Jackson, Weimar 979-725-8208
TROPHIES
Children’s Advocacy Center 59 TX-150 Loop, Bastrop 512-321-6161
Trophy Tech, LLC 130 East South Main Street, Flatonia 361-865-2721
Lil Einstein Learning Center – Schulenburg 401 Baumgarten Street 979-356-4617
UTILITIES
Parents As Teachers of Rural South-Central Texas 301 West Charles Street, Weimar 979-743-6584
Audio-Video Plus 250 Kessler Avenue 979-743-4485 City of Schulenburg 535 North Main Street 979-743-4126 Colorado Valley Communications 4915 South Highway 77, La Grange 979-242-5911 Sparklight 840 East Travis, La Grange 877-687-1332
the 1886 S tafford opera House EVENT VENUE
EV E N T S W I T H GR AC E & E L E GA NC E T O U R O U R S PA C E S 1 8 8 6 S TA F F O R D O P E R A H O U S E 979-732-5135 4 2 5 S P R I N G S T. BOOKING FOR 2027 - 2028 COLUMBUS, TX 78934
Quality Western Wear
Honest Answers Solid Service Always 108 Oak Cluster Dr., Columbus | 979-732-5919
Open Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 5pm David Zajicek, Jr. & Tawanna Zajicek, owners
CITY DEMOGRAPHICS & CHURCH LISTINGS
Welcome to the City of Schulenburg Known as the city “Halfway to Everywhere,” Schulenburg sits at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 77, placing the community within easy reach of some of Texas’ largest cities while maintaining its small-town character. Schulenburg is about 95 miles west of Houston, 105 miles east of San Antonio, 80 miles southeast of Austin and 65 miles north of Victoria. The community traces its beginnings to the arrival of the railroad in 1873, an event that helped establish Schulenburg as a center for commerce in an area shaped by German and Czech settlement. BY THE NUMBERS The 2020 U.S. Census counted 2,633 residents in Schulenburg, compared with 2,852 in 2010. The city had 1,297 housing units in 2020. The community is racially and ethnically diverse. According to 2020 Census data, 53.4% of residents were non-Hispanic white, 14.4% were nonHispanic Black, 29.5% were Hispanic or Latino, and the remainder identified as Asian, Native American, another race or more than one race. About 22.7% of residents were younger than 18, while 26% were 65 or older, according to 2020 Census demographic data. The median age was 46.7.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND SERVICES Schulenburg is governed by a mayor and five aldermen. Council members serve twoyear terms, with elections staggered between odd- and even-numbered years. Regular City Council meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public. City services include electric, water and wastewater utilities, streets and garbage collection, parks, municipal court, building permits and inspections, code enforcement and animal control. Much of the city’s work takes place behind the scenes through the departments
responsible for maintaining the infrastructure residents and businesses rely on each day. City crews maintain local streets, the water and wastewater systems and Schulenburg’s municipally operated electric utility, while also responding to service needs and supporting the continued growth of the community. The Schulenburg Police Department is led by Police Chief Troy Brenek and provides law enforcement services as well as code enforcement and animal control. The Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department, which has served Schulenburg and the surrounding area since 1903, is led by Fire Chief Darren Guentert.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS Schulenburg City Hall 210 East Avenue Schulenburg, TX 78956 979-743-4126 contact@schulenburgtx.org Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday schulenburgtx.org Schulenburg Police Department 607 Upton Avenue Schulenburg, TX 78956 979-743-2677 spd.admin@schulenburgtx. org Emergency: 911 Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department 605 Upton Avenue Schulenburg, TX 78956 979-743-3264
AREA CHURCH LISTINGS BAPTIST Corinth Baptist Church 1201 Kessler Avenue 832-260-4992 Sunday, 10 a.m. First Baptist Church 110 North Upton Avenue 979-743-3621 Sunday, 10:45 a.m. St. James Missionary Baptist Church 1103 James Avenue 979-743-4022 Sunday, 8 a.m. CATHOLIC Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church 2833 FM 2672 979-743-3117 Sunday, 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 1010 Lyons Avenue 979-743-3117 Saturday, 5 p.m.; first Saturday, 7:45 a.m. Sunday, 7:30 and 10 a.m.; Spanish Mass, noon Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, 8:10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Freyburg Methodist Church 4520 FM 2238 979-217-1151 Sunday, 8:30 a.m.
LUTHERAN
OTHER CHRISTIAN
Zion Lutheran Church 103 Keuper Avenue 979-743-3842 Sunday, 10 a.m.
Restitution Revival United 702 Hillje Street 254-717-7756 First Saturday, noon Second Sunday, noon
METHODIST First United Methodist Church 209 North Upton Avenue 979-743-3333 Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
36 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
PRESBYTERIAN St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church 712 Summit Street 979-743-3426 Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
JEWISH Temple Israel 211 Baumgarten Street 979-562-2199 Call for more information.
EXPLORE THE AREA
MEET THE NEIGHBORS All Around Schulenburg Small towns throughout the region offer their own reasons to make the short drive. From custom apparel in Weimar to art in Hallettsville and a historic stay in Flatonia, these neighboring destinations add to the character of South Central Texas. WEIMAR: TREHOUSE EMBROIDERY & MORE TreHouse Embroidery & More helps schools, teams, businesses and individuals turn ideas into wearable designs. The downtown Weimar shop offers embroidery, screen printing and heatpressed vinyl for garments, bags and other items. Customers can also find custom letterman patches, spirit wear, graphic T-shirts and personalized designs for groups and special occasions.
TREHOUSE EMBROIDERY & MORE
TreHouse Embroidery & More is located at 107 E. Main St., Weimar. HALLETTSVILLE: HALLET OAK GALLERY Art and history share the spotlight at Hallet Oak Gallery, an art, performance and learning center in downtown Hallettsville. The gallery presents work by regional and international artists in a range of media, along with student exhibits, educational activities and special programs. Admission is free during regular open hours. The gallery occupies the historic Kahn & Stanzel Building, constructed in 1890 from locally quarried Muldoon sandstone. Designed by noted Texas architect J. Riely Gordon, the restored building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
HALLET OAK GALLERY
Hallet Oak Gallery is located at 115 N. Main St., Hallettsville. FLATONIA: OLLE HOTEL The historic Olle Hotel offers visitors an overnight connection to Flatonia’s past. Originally built as a private residence, the property was purchased by Otto and Agnes Olle in 1926 and operated as a hotel. After sitting largely unused for decades, it underwent an extensive restoration that preserved its historic character while adding modern comforts. Today, the inn has 12 guest rooms and a cottage, with antique furnishings and individual details throughout. Its downtown location gives guests a convenient starting point for exploring Flatonia and the surrounding area. The Olle Hotel is located at 218 S. Market Ave., Flatonia.
OLLE HOTEL
37 | SCHULENBURG, TEXAS
Telling Flatonia Stories Since 1988
E. A. Arnim Archives & Museum 101 East North Main Street | 361-865-3455 www.arnimmuseum.org
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