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Fayetteville Public School
Northwest on
Hwy 159 near the Fayetteville city
limit—is a red, two-story building from
1911. Ground was broken for the $10,000
structure on February 13, 1911 on land
purchased from J. R. Kubena for $300.
The opening ceremonies on July 19, 1911
are described fondly: all of the
businesses closed and the entire town,
as well as large crowds from neighboring
communities, met and formed a procession
leading around the Square and out to the
new school building. The ceremonies
included speeches by the school
trustees, music by the famed Baca Band
and school children waving flags. Little
Miss Lester Stierling presented the keys
to the building to School Board
President Ed Sarrazin, who then opened
the doors, inviting everyone to enter
and inspect the building. The spacious
hall on the upper floor was crowded to
capacity when County Superintendent
Stierling addressed the crowd. Upon the
conclusion of the addresses and after a
photograph was taken of the assembly,
the procession brought the guests down
to Germania Hall where a bountiful
supply of food—for which Fayetteville is
so well known—was served, including BBQ,
pickles, bread and cake, and liquid
refreshments. The remainder of the
afternoon was passed with additional
speeches and various amusements. A ball
was held in the evening which was well
attended and greatly enjoyed by
everyone. |
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The Water
Tower
Visible
southeast of the Square, the water
tower—called the “Tin Man’s head” and
located behind the post office on S.
Scott and E. Main (Hwy 159)—dates from
the 1920s and is one of the best
examples of its kind. It was repaired
and repainted in 2006, earning
Fayetteville the “Class A” rating from
the Water Tower Appreciation Society.
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Fayetteville City Cemetery and Catholic
Cemetery
Four blocks
south on S. Scott St. (FM 1291), across
the railroad tracks—are two adjoining
cemeteries containing graves for many
prominent pioneers. In addition, there
are veterans from the war of 1812: Dr.
William P. Smith (surgeon general of the
Texas army as well as Methodist
preacher, Board Member of Rutersville
College and editor of the Texas Monument
Newspaper), David Wade (an early settler
to Fayetteville) and Umbleton Gregory;
the three fought in the historic battle
of New Orleans. The first Catholic
priest of Fayetteville, Father Josef
Chromcik, is also buried there. An
unmarked grave holding Civil War
soldiers is situated next to the City
Cemetery.
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Sites of
first Catholic and Lutheran Churches in
Fayette County
3½ miles
southeast of Fayetteville on Wecheta
Road—though the buildings are now gone
and all that remains is the old Lutheran
Cemetery. The Catholic Church here was
St. Joseph’s and in 1861 it was moved to
a site near Ellinger and renamed St.
Mary’s (see below). Directions: from
Fayetteville, take FM 955 west to
Wecheta Road at Kasmiersky Road. |
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Fayetteville Brethren Church
Two miles
south of Fayetteville on Ross Prairie
Church Road and Kramr Road—is a
Czech-Moravian Brethren Church, and
about 100 years of age is one of the
older area churches; a cemetery is
adjoining. The church is near the site
of the first Czech Protestant service in
the state of Texas. Directions: take
Ross Prairie Church Road south from
town. |
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St.
Mary’s Catholic Church
South of
town near Ellinger on St. Mary’s Church
Road—was recently beautifully restored
to retain its original character with
painted wood altars and sanctuary. From
the church is a magnificent view of the
surrounding countryside. Directions to
the church: take Ross Prairie Church
Road south out of Fayetteville, then
right on FM 2503, about three miles to
St. Mary’s Church Road and turn left;
the church is on the hill. The church is
locked, but arrangements for a tour may
be made by calling
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Historic
Bridges
Old steel
truss bridges are found on Willow
Springs Road (1/2 mile off FM 159, east
of Fayetteville), and off Haw Creek
Road, 3 miles east from FM 1291.
Breeding
School, Albert Family Cemetery and
Breeding Family Cemetery—on Hwy 159, 5½
miles east of Fayetteville, on private
land—is the location of the first school
and two pioneer family cemeteries. The
Breeding family sponsored the school in
a log house on their land in 1834 for
children of the Breeding family, the
Burnham family, the Alexander family and
others—all important pioneers. Albert
bought land in 1877 from the Breeding
family, who reserved one-half acre for
the cemetery. The Albert Family’s grave
markers are placed within an iron fence;
grave markers for the Breeding family
members have disappeared. A historical
marker located across Hwy 159 on the
south side of the road shows the site
where the Breeding home stood. |
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Monument
Hill and Kreische Brewery
State
Historic Sites Picnic, nature walks and
historical tours on Texas history.
Monument Hill is a crypt and memorial to
men killed in the fight for Texas
independence. Kreische Brewery began in
19th century. Both are now governed by
Texas Parks and Wildlife and can be
booked for weddings and special events.
Open Thursday to Monday, 8am to 5pm.
Check website for brewery tours.
Address: 414 State Loop 92 in La Grange.
Directions: from Fayetteville, take 955
west to 71 north to 77 south, drive
through La Grange.
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Queen of
the Holy Rosary Catholic Church
In
Hostyn—celebrated the area’s first mass
in about 1831. In early 20th century,
with the erection of the Lourdes Grotto
in 1924, the church came into the
limelight as one of the leading Czech
parishes in Texas. Directions: from
Fayetteville, take FM 955 to Hwy 71
towards La Grange, then Hwy 77 south
about five miles, turn right on FM 2436,
one mile to the Grotto located on the
hill which overlooks surrounding
farmlands. Open daily during the day.
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