Monument Hill
&
Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites
414 State Loop 92
La Grange, TX
78945-5733
979/968-5658
monument.hill@tpwd.state.tx.us
History: Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, 40.4 acres total, are located 1 mile south of La Grange, in Fayette County. The tomb at Monument Hill was acquired by the State of Texas in 1907 and transferred to Texas Parks and Wildlife in 1949. In 1956, the Archbishop of San Antonio and the citizens of Fayette County deeded an additional 3.58 acres to the site. Another 36-acre tract, including the Kreische Brewery and Kreische Home was added in 1977. The park was opened in 1983, after archaeological study and stabilization had been completed.
Activities: The activities at this park include picnicking, nature study, and historical study. Arrangements can be made with the park staff to have weddings, family reunions, or other group functions that may use the picnic area and/or the historical facilities. Group tours by staff and volunteer docents are available with advanced scheduling, and regularly scheduled tours of the brewery are available on the weekends.
- 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.
- A well-received program, Early German Christmas, is also available for organized motor coach groups' booking. The program is available on a limited basis during the last week in November and the first half of December and is recommended for a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 40 visitors. Early German Christmas contains a similar format as Trail of Lights, but for the private enjoyment of those who reserve with the staff.
- "Texas Heroes Day": Annual event on the Saturday closest to September 18th. 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."
The Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery Docent Organization sponsors these events, with assistance from the park staff.
Tours: The brewery is open for guided tours, conducted by trained docents, on the following days and times: October thru May every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm and 3:30pm; June thru September Saturdays only at 10am. Tours of the Kreische house are scheduled on selected weekends when docent volunteers are available. This is typically on the first and second Sundays, between 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. Special weekday group tours of Monument Hill, the Brewery, or the Kreische house can be arranged in advance through the park headquarters. Larger groups enjoy a special overview of the park on a historical, scenic guided tour along the park's interpretive trail (with kolaches and refreshments as an option).
Watch
video of Monument Hill &
Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites.- Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
- More Information on outdoor activities from the Experience Texas page.
Area Attractions: Bastrop State Park, Buescher State Park, Palmetto State Park, Lake Somerville State Park and Stephen F. Austin State Park are all nearby overnight parks within easy driving distance for a day trip visit.
A unique "Painted Churches Tour" is available to the south of the park, featuring authentic 19th-Century European style churches from German, Czech, and other similar cultures in the countryside toward Schulenberg and Flatonia. Printed information is available from the park office or from the Schulenberg Chamber of Commerce www.schulenburgchamber.org
The town of La Grange has many fine old buildings (including some that Mr. Kreische built) available for tour and a "real" courthouse square, featuring an 1890s architecturally-significant courthouse building. A large monument to the heroes of the Dawson and Mier expeditions is located in the courthouse lawn, and in one corner of the square is the "Muster Oak," where Captain Nicholas Dawson and those men of his expedition gathered to ride to their fates at the battle at Salado Creek at San Antonio in 1842. Fayette County men during eight wars and conflicts have joined military service since that time under this tree. An impressive and historical old stone jail building at 171 South Main Street, one block south of the square, houses the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional information can be obtained on amenities, overnight lodging, shopping, and sightseeing opportunities at their office. Their telephone is 979/968-5756. Ask about the old historical cemetery or countywide tours that are being developed through the Chamber's office. Do not miss La Grange's bakeries and restaurants, serving traditional and ethnic foods and pastries, as well as plain, good food. The park has standing partnerships through the Chamber of Commerce offices with many businesses and will be pleased to work with you or your group to contribute information for "package" tours both at the park and in the surrounding communities.
The Communities of Round Top and Winedale are nearby, with German and English nineteenth century museums and buildings available for viewing. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is within driving distance with a common theme of Texas Independence. You may want to refer to nearby parks.
Facilities: Facilities include picnic sites; the historical monument and tomb; Kreische house, smokehouse, and barn; interpretive exhibits; a bluff overlook; a playground; restrooms without showers; and a 10' X 20' tent which can be rented for receptions or meetings. Be sure to visit the Texas State Park Store at the park headquarters for items unique to the park and relating to the state of Texas. Prices are reasonable, and the merchandise is all quality.
Natural Features: The bluff at Monument Hill is the northern limit of the Oakville Escarpment of Miocene era bearing sandstone. This escarpment or "cuesta" marks the boundary between the "Upland Post Oak Woodlands" and the "Fayette Prairie" environments. Here, along the bluff, "eastern" plant and animal communities of the woodlands and prairie coexist with an isolated colony of "western" species.
Numerous plants and animals common to the limestone-based soils of the Hill Country, 70 miles northwest, have been transported and deposited in this locale by the Colorado River, located at the base of the 200-foot bluff cliff. These species flourish in pockets of alkaline soils produced through erosion of the calcareous sandstone cap of the escarpment. The occurrence of such biological diversity at one location is not singularly unique, but is uncommon, and lends itself to a beautiful place in Central Texas. Oak and cedar forests and predominately little blue stem prairie environments are intermixed throughout the park, with Mr. Kreische's old roads, trails, retaining walls, and buildings adding beauty and places of shelter to the environment. The park's nature trail has a list of more common plant and animal species and is available at the park headquarters for further study.
More information on the wildlife mentioned here:
Elevation: 471 feet, mean altitude above sea level. Due to the hilly nature of the park's terrain, some areas are higher and lower than this average. Weather: Average January minimum 41; average July maximum 95; average annual rainfall 37.4.
Schedule: Open seven days a week -year round. 8 am to 5 pm. Closed on Christmas Day. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
Directions: La Grange is located between San Antonio, Austin,
and Houston. From the La Grange Business District, take State Highway 77
South across
the Colorado River, and .4 mile on Spur 92, west to the park entrance.
Latitude (degrees, minutes, seconds) N: 29° 53' 16.58" Longititude (degrees,
minutes, second) W: 96° 52' 34.50"
Current conditions can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744