RURAL TEXAS: Oddities & Incredible SMALL TOWNS Few People Know About - FAR OFF THE INTERSTATE

[@karlafromtexasphelps9700]

You should come back during bluebonnet season! Many beautiful fields along these blue roads! Blue bonnets, evening primrose, and Indian paint brush!

[@amybobamie7366]

Omg right!!!! April and early May!!!!

[@ravikumarp840]

Dear Sir,.............Greetings from INDIA. I am from a place called Hyderabad in India which is a big city and always crowded. Sir, I love countryside a lot and I do not have words to express my happiness and satisfaction that I get watching your videos. Thanks a Lot. Best Wishes.....Ravi Kumar.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome! :)

[@mikeunlocked]

I love your respect and excitement over historical buildings and homes, there is beauty everywhere and your channel shows that. Keep on rolling!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Mike!

[@MTknitter22]

Amen!!

[@The_Dudester]

So, I grew up knowing nothing about my family's history. My grandmother had gaslit anyone that asked. Going to college in Huntsville, the only clue I had was that my grandmother had frequently mentioned that she loved going to a dance hall in Swiss Alps. Stopping in La Grange for a drink at a restaurant, a waitress directed me to a place where I could get a county map of Fayette county and she encouraged me to see the "Painted Churches." Long story short, in Ammansville I found the graves of my grandmother's parents and some of their relatives. I then went to the county courthouse, explained that I was doing genealogical research of my family and I was granted two full days in the documents vault. What a treasure trove!! I found that the family farm had been just under 400 acres, my grandmother had 10 siblings and more. After making copies of everything, and going deeply over the records, I wondered why my grandmother's brothers had not married until they were in their 30's, and then I realized that the family farm was just spitting distance from the Chicken Ranch. Mystery solved.

[@rwhutchnlj]

- a good friend of mine is from Ammonsville, and grew up in that beautiful painted church.

[@inga9839]

Gaslit? Maybe she has some secrets herself. Everyone deserves a sense of privacy.

[@joshuamartin1651]

@@inga9839 Typical internet person lol

[@The_Dudester]

@@inga9839 She was very much "old school." Since my mother had narcissistic personality disorder, I think she got it from her mother. For instance, when I told my mom the size of the farm and that it had been sold off, piece by piece, in the 1940's, my mom said "She always had a few extra bucks in her pockets. Now I know where she got it." In addition, my grandmother never told my mother how many siblings she had, only that she had a sister that she liked. My mother never met her grandmother, but went with my grandmother to Texas after my great grandmother had died (she had already been buried). My mom said, "She must have been a tiny woman, four eight or four nine because her dresses were tiny." My grandmother had gone through four husbands (it was rare to divorce in the 1930's and forties). Finally, something my grandmother absolutely loved was to dance and she had lived, on purpose, next to a polka hall for years (she told me this herself). I love BABYMETAL and one of their hits is "O' Majanai", which is actually an old polka song (but this is a 21st century treatment of the song). It blows me away that my grandmother danced to (what is now) a heavy metal song.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Amazing.

[@sandrastiltner4024]

I really enjoy all the small towns that you tour. I come from a small town in New Mexico and love everything about the old and the old ways. History is being completely washed off everything. So very sad. As I watch your videos I am reminded of how good everything was in the old days and old ways. Keep filming all of the old goodies, they are great.!! It makes me want to pull up stakes and move to one of them.

[@45AMT]

The house I live in is 120 years old here in SC. We have the old separate kitchen for our house. Very small building 10'x12' just big enough for a pot belly stove and a few cabinets. It had those wooden doors for windows. When I moved here it was in bad shape but I rebuilt it insulated it and put new windows in I use it for my electronics shop to work on radios. Thanks Spoda! I always feel like I'm traveling with you guys when I watch! Take care and safe travels.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, that's awesome, RR!

[@diane1390]

That's an interesting house. I wish I could see the remodel that you did on it.

[@unrulyjulie4382]

A summer kitchen!!!

[@diane1390]

@@unrulyjulie4382 they have a summer kitchen behind the Meux house here in Fresno California. It was built by a doctor who had served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War, but came to California afterwards.

[@reneefikes7308]

My husband was the construction manager of a poultry ranch in Texas for over 30 years. We had a lot of fun telling people that he worked at the Chicken Ranch.

[@hikenmikes8262]

Refreshing, in this time, to see a nativity scene in front of the courthouse. Gotta love Texas!

[@judiths5269]

It’s interesting to see these old places in Texas. I live in a village in England where there are houses that are 400 or 500 years old. They have modern amenities but have to keep the traditional features.

[@Watchdoc65]

Round top is the antique capital celebrated in the spring and fall. When we go to Round top in late October it’s so packed full of people! It’s a very well known hotspot!

[@jggarcia94]

Round Top has been a destination for a number of years. The bi-annual arts/crafts, antique and flea market held twice a year draws thousands of shoppers and designers. Chip and Joanna Gaines have made the events, shops and the town super famous.

[@TEXASLOYAL]

When are the events?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the info.

[@royx6762]

Round Top and the antique fairs were super popular long before anyone ever heard of Chip and Joanna Gaines.

[@MTknitter22]

@@royx6762 but they have greatly helped it become even more so - the vendors will tell you. The Gaines have a huge Texas fan base.

[@TEXASLOYAL]

@@MTknitter22 So,, I'm still not getting the information I'm asking for, when is this?

[@starmhz1]

I think this is the best video I've ever seen. Ever. I used to go to Washington and Brazos for field trips when I was in elementary school. The first building you went in was called Independence Hall. Or that's what we called it. Round top gets really busy on the first Saturday in October to celebrate Oktoberfest. Thanks for the video again. I will probably watch it many more times.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you, John. :)

[@gardenandhomewithtammylowrey]

I love Texas..especially the small towns. Thank you for touring rural towns. I grew up in the Heart of Texas (Brownwood) The downtown is slowly coming to life with the Lyric Theater and businesses which is exciting to see.

[@davidmoorecatdaddy6994]

I used to live in Bangs in the 60's .

[@rwhutchnlj]

Rountop Texas is indeed an artistic community. One feature I did not see in your video was Round Top Festival Institute where they hold a music festival every summer and concerts throughout the year. The music hall is really quite splendid. Yes, it is a destination indeed!

[@Amy-op9yo]

Indeed! I've gone there a couple of times during the Mad Art Rush....what I remember most is the massive traffic jams on those little country roads. It was the one-time traffic jams were fun.

[@MegaBait1616]

Yep your right plus their antique stores.......be well.

[@MegaBait1616]

Plus the people moving from California n NY selling their houses for stupid money..... These people are moving to all the free states even in NC driving up the housing prices....

[@kevinjones5560]

Round Top is the head of the largest antiques festival held twice a year and a destination from Houston.

[@dannycalley7777]

K.J. .................that one person in RT who is below the PL is the school Marm ..........and she has to do double duty ,as a deputy ..........they give her an ammo stipend ????

[@rubynelson1164]

Don't try to get a motel room within 150 miles of Round Top during one of the festivities.

[@michaelbarnett7691]

Thanks for the tour! My dad was born to tenant farmers in Chappell Hill back in 1914. Cool to see a quick tour of the town today. I'm a native Dallasite. Still live in the area. It's cool to see the small towns in our state. Some of which I've driven through on the way to somewhere else. 😁

[@bellasteppars8772]

That building you said was a kitchen. Up north in Canada and Montana, the Dakota’s the German Russians who settled in these areas had a summer kitchen and a winter kitchen. The summer kitchen was a totally separate building and the winter kitchen was part of the main building. Kind of interesting to learn about.

[@Carter3151]

I worked at a camp in La Grange during the summers of 1981 and 1982. It was called Camp Lone Star.

[@duiliopacini2722]

Being European I find so naïve - in a good way - how you, and most Americans I know , get excited when labelling something as “historic “, especially when it comes to age ☺️ I do live in a house built at the end of 18th century and that’s pretty much normal, walk through roads walked by since medieval times and guess we’re used to that 😅 Thanks for you showing the core of U.S.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

LOL, fair enough. :)

[@angelica-kf4up]

I just think some people get used to it and some don't...not everyone finds the same things interesting but usually someone who makes a video on historical things is going to be fascinated by history lol

[@cindydaniels3964]

I am foreign and still get a charge out of the US ways.Everyone to their own.

[@garywoodard6693]

If the Europeans had the good sense to get her sooner we would have an older history.

[@audreyguilbeaucalhoun5713]

Well, the US is NEW compared bro Europe, so we’re fascinated by old. When I was overseas (Germany… + I did a small amount of traveling) I was fascinated by what I saw. Nevertheless I love all things old.

[@fredrickmendoza5257]

I love your videos of small, rural towns. I’m just fascinated by these small towns. Please keep posting these kinds of videos.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I will be for a long time, Fredrick!

[@DianaWilson]

I really enjoyed your video. Being a fifth generation Texan, I recognize a lot of these places. I am also a huge fan of history and architecture. I can tell from the way that you narrate your videos that you are too. Thank you so much for the little tour of Texas. That area has a lot of beautiful history.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Diana!

[@accidentalfarmer6739]

Round Top and Warrenton are known for Antique week in the spring and fall. Literally hundreds upon hundreds of vendors from all over the country open for 3 weeks 2x a year. Between that time, people still visit the many boutiques, Antique shops and cafés.

[@Dave.C937]

I just love the history of these small towns. Your country is definitely on the top of my to visit list. Thanks for showing me these great small towns. G'day from Australia.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Greg. :)

[@fergusthewestie]

Love the username! haha

[@Biblioot]

Really fun watching this, everything looking so nice and full of history.

[@EvelynElaineSmith]

You missed the original remains of Baylor University on Washington on the Brazos. BTW, I descend from the family that founded Chappell Hill, Texas, so I enjoyed seeing your quick tour of Chappell Hill.

[@delbertlammers6067]

I especially enjoyed your travels in Alabama, as my best friend who was a Marine Corp vets like myself recently passed away. He shared many stories with me about his growing up in Alabama. Thank you for sharing your travels!

[@jamesbasaldua100]

Fantastic video on your adventure threw TEXAS historical sights. Have you done a video on Yoakum TEXAS sir. Take care and be safe sir. See you on your next video.

[@Sarahbetterlatethannever]

My grandparents were born in Yoakum and Sweet home

[@jamesbasaldua100]

@@Sarahbetterlatethannever my father was born in Yoakum Texas. His life came to a end in San Antonio

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Yoakum is on my list. :)

[@paigeymegan]

Y'all need to come on out to Bremond, Texas! It's between Bryan-College Station and Waco! Our Polish ancestors came here and we've kept their traditions

[@amybobamie7366]

I second that

[@edwinreece438]

One thing you did not say: A Tv reporter in Houston by the name of Marvin Zindler did a series of stories about the chicken ranch. The publicity prompted the state to close the chicken ranch. The final story of the chicken ranch included a visit by a TV reporter to the chicken ranch. The gate was locked with a sign that said "Beat It".

[@Mary-el3pi]

Maarrrvin Zindler…Eye Witness News!!

[@Gary65437]

I remember that having lived around Houston in the 1980's and 90's. Not sure what the deal was about the chicken ranch. Only guy I still hear about is Mattress Mac still making big bets on the Astros and being very generous.

[@thejohnboatfaithfishingand8078]

I remember the bumper stickers that read "I'm a Friend of Sheriff Jim." That was in support of then Fayette County sheriff Jim Flournoy who pretty much left the brothel alone and looked the other way for the 34 years that he served as Fayette County's sheriff (he retired in 1980, passed away in 1982). He gained notoriety for punching Marvin Zindler in the face after Zindler ran those stories about the infamous LaGrange brothel on the Houston TV station where he worked. Flournoy was 74 at the time when he decked Zindler.

[@petucker548]

He also did great drop ins on Houston restaurants, and made famous the phrase, “and there was slime in the ice machine”.

[@amybobamie7366]

I’m Marvin Zinder! And I witness news!!!!! Miss that guy

[@NGD1953]

Thanks so much for sharing with us! I appreciate you at least trying to let us see Blue Bell. I’m a 69 year old widowed retiree with limited mobility. I feel like you’re driving me around and allowing me to see places I couldn’t otherwise! Thanks for not showing so many pitiful old rundown towns!

[@austinteutsch]

I worked in the oil field in the 80's and used to drive through hit little hamlet called Washington-On-The-Brazos. The little town doesn't show the rich Houstonians who bought land an built themselves a little ranchito to get away from the big city. There's also a little town called Clay Station that used to be a big deal until the railroad was re-routed. I love these small out of the way places.

[@johnrae3842]

being born in and living in southern california my whole life, i appreciate these videos so much. the small town feel, the quaintness & natural beauty, all of the history, i love it! thank you for letting me live through these videos pretending i’m visiting lol ☺️

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, John. That's a great compliment. :)

[@Spencer02]

Back in 1996 and 1997 I lived in LA Grange, I attended the junior high school. Seeing this video and back then nothing has changed. It's a small population, very little to do in town. I love your content 👍👍👍👍 keep it coming it's awesome 👍

[@bobmanfre5083]

My Aunt Sally worked at the famous Chicken Ranch from 1963 through 1971 at which time they decided she was getting too old for that type of work. They closed permanently 2 years later. Aunt Sally went out on her own after that and was basically the Madam of her own Brothel. She catered mainly to public figures and was known to be very discreet and professional. She only hired the prettiest girls and had a thriving business until she retired in 1983.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow!

[@aliciadavis8872]

I love your aunt sally😍😍

[@kathypellette2509]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip How incredible! not many people can claim such interesting kin!

[@dallas5609]

Pimp Sally

[@Jane_Dow]

Love seeing old towns that are taken care of, they are unique but yet similar. So you went to Chicken Ranch & found your signature "cat " at the end. You know lots of old timers would have called that place a " Cat House " or just a House of Ill Repute. Depending on how persnickety you wanted to be about it. :~)

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

LOL!

[@jurgenkuhlmann9194]

In Texas, you also find the two small towns of New Braunfels and Groß Friedrichsburg (Fredericksburg, or "Fritztown"), where especially older people spoke Texas German (Texasdeutsch), an odd mixture of 19th century - style German and English.

[@janetsides901]

I want to go see those towns someday,read a book based in the towns 6ears ago,I can't remember the title.

[@jurgenkuhlmann9194]

@@janetsides901 OK. Good luck🙂!

[@WilkNFarm]

Love these travel vlogs. And helping me to see different places as I consider retirement. This area of Texas looks appealing- being between large metro areas but still rural. Safe travels.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you! :)

[@rajeevdeshpande7666]

Hi Lord Spoda Thanks a lot for uploading this incredibly beautiful as well as informative video. This is one of the best videos in the past few weeks. From beginning to end each part is equally interesting. It kept me glued to sofa, not just that I saw the video twice! Throughout the video the sky is overcast and today as I am writing this comment, I learn it started raining heavily in Houston. Thanking you once again.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I'm always happy to hear from you, Rajeev. :)

[@barbaramorton9762]

Love your channel! I hope that you can travel to my home town..Lampasas Texas..there is so much restoration taking place! Also, down the road is Evant Tx where my Great Great Grandfather's house is located in Gholson Gap! My great great grandfather's name is Benjamin Franklin Gholson.. he was a Texas ranger there's quite a bit of history about him! Thank you for showing all these little towns in Texas I just love it. I live in Colorado now but I'll always be a Texas girl!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting, Barbara. It's on my list now. :)

[@joannblake7659]

Been binge watching you and nicole. I love to travel and explore. You make me want to hit the road.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Cool! :)

[@santababy1952]

In this town (Chapel Hill) there is a fabulous spring festival in April celebrating the Bluebonnets! I used to live in Bryan/College Station and it is a fabulous festival! Then you get to go to Brenham and eat ICE CREAM!!!!! Oh and in Round Top there is a great place to eat famous pies! That neat restaurant you passed is the pie place!!!! This video is making me homesick! Have you been to Gainesville, TX? It is due north of Dallas on Int 35. It has a beautiful court house and fabulous Victorian homes an Craftsman cottage style homes in just to the south of the square. There is a gorgeous park there (Leonard Park) with the Frank Buck Zoo! It is a fabulous park with huge oak trees that canpopy the entire. park. It is beautiful!

[@marywalker2896]

Wow all schools should have staff that cares that much..gotta keep our kiddos safe in this crazy world. Loved this video. We lived in pine land Texas for several years. My oldest son was born in lufkin. He’s now in his forties with children of his own.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I totally agree!

[@CaptainHowdy1969]

Another absolutely fantastic video Courtesy of Lord Spoda...as I've said many,many times...the big cities don't hold a candle to the history and character that these small tucked away little enclaves offer,the architecture along with the overall vibe of a town like Fayetteville,round top,La Grange,etc...will never be matched by the big cities...and the icing on the cake is the cost of visiting these tucked away places is very budget friendly so it's a win-win in my book when you get to support a small town with character and do so on a nickel & dime budget...thanks for another fantastic video Spoda...

[@glennbourque111]

What can I say? Another fantastic video tour. Wow!!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you very much! :)

[@cjctucson7683]

Love your style of exploring these small towns and your wonderment at what you find. There are so many great places to visit in the USA if you just get off the interstate and/or stay away from the crowded National Parks. Thanks for showing us places that we can't all get to even if we do a lot of travelling.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I totally agree!

[@boebradley867]

National Parks are great but not really made for history in a sense. Monetary value seems to be most important to those. But you get off the beaten path a bit, with a good sense of security as a must you can see and find out all kinds of cool things and places!

[@dalyne7050]

Round Top hosts an antique road show a few times a year, it's huge, spans miles. People come from all over, very popular especially with interior decorators looking for that special piece. With that said, the numbers are still surprising.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting. Thank you for the info.

[@trafyknits9222]

Since 1971, my family has owned a farm about 8 miles from Round Top. It's become a highly gentrified destination for people from Houston/Austin/San Antonio. You probably saw the music conservatory that just outside town. Students from all over the world come to study music there. The man who did the incredible wood work in the music hall was named Arnold Pursefka. He was a genius at wood work but couldn't read.

[@Markus_Andrew]

Another cool trip Lord, cheers! I love the "off the beaten track" rural videos. Speaking of Texas towns named after songs, and being a Texan yourself, I was wondering if you've ever passed through China Grove. Being a long-time Doobie Brothers fan, I'd heard that the place really existed so I checked it out once on Google Maps. There's not much there and of course it's nothing like the description in the song, i.e. its residents don't have "the ways of an Oriental view" and aren't "looking to the east" 😁 That's because when Tom Johnston wrote the song, he was sure he'd made the place up in his imagination. It wasn't until some years later, while in a taxi in Houston, he got talking to the driver who asked Johnston if he'd ever been there. Johnston was surprised at this and asked the cab driver if there really was such a town, and the driver said indeed there was, and right where the song said it was, just near San Antonio. Johnston later concluded that the band must have driven through China Grove after a gig in San Antonio one night, some years before he wrote the song, and he subconsciously registered the name from a sign or something.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Well, now I've got to! Grew up on the Doobies and am a huge fan. Not sure why, but I have always thought China Grove was in Illinois. I'm definitely going to visit there in time. And now the song is stuck in my head... :)

[@Markus_Andrew]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip It would be cool to say you've been there, lol. By the way, Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@janiecavender3800]

👉AS A 4TH GENERATION TEXAN... I WANT TO SAY I'VE LEARNED QUITE A BIT ABOUT MY GREAT STATE, FROM YOUR ADVENTURES!! THANKS!! 😊 KEEP UP THE INTERESTING ROAD TRIPS... I CAN "VIRTUALLY" RIDE SHOTGUN... 👈😎✌

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That's the idea, Janie. Thank you for the great compliment!

[@sandiekaye5241]

Besides the art festival, and artist galore shops, Round Top is famous for that Round Top Cafe and the most wonderful pies on earth including the Texas Trash Pie. A true destination spot indeed

[@3v249]

Hi, my name is John and I do live in La Grange Texas. Thank you for making a video bout us. It’s nice to be recognized. And I will answer all your questions. I love being country.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It's a great town. :)

[@3v249]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip thank you sir. Parents discovered Lagrange and built their retirement home in rooters Ville, which is just north of Lagrange. Since I am basically a dependent because I’ve been sick for so many years and dad‘s about to retire from his job in San Antonio. They bought me a house on the Square of Lagrange, or at least one block from it, so that is where I will live when they retire but we go so often to La Grange it so it’s like practically all you living there full-time Renaud now technically it will be full-time. Just get in the house ready. It was my Christmas present. And the home was built in the 1930s during the depression. You can definitely tell they almost 100 year history of that house by the way it’s been kept the same in some places and changed in the additions. Unfortunately that they took out the gas lines for the heaters and now I have an HVAC system but I plan to turn that house back into a 1930s 1940s style place of residence.

[@Theywaswrong]

That comment about Blue Bell ice cream, the "licking" challenge, is interesting in that it caused ice cream containers to have the plastic vacuum seal band you now see on the lid. You have to wonder why it wasn't always being done. Some where but only a few.

[@MrAshley4440]

Great video big thanks, loved the history of these small towns. Blessings from New Zealand team.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Ash!

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

This was a great video. So much history and great architecture! These towns have done a wonderful job preserving themselves! I remember the Blue Bell lickers. Round Top’s home prices are staggering! I checked out some photos of the homes for sale on Zillow. Love your videos and appreciate you!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you for that, Alexandra!

[@daviddecelles8714]

Yes, I did think you'd miss the cat. Perfectly timed; right at the end. You were uncharacteristically verbose in this video: entertaining and informative. It worked, though. Lots of remarkable visuals. Especially liked the rare residence in Burton with the two-storied wrap around porch and the large turret at one corner of the roofline. Grateful you took the time to explore the interior of tiny St. Martin's Catholic Church-an aesthetic jewel of a building. You're likely correct about Round Top. A village with an official population of 90 and an avg. age in the 50's with so many bustling shops has got to be a mecca for artists and art dealers who operate studios, etc. while living elsewhere. Also, given its tiny size, the elementary school within its borders has got to service a wider geographic population (the school's sign warning the world that its students are protected by armed teachers ready to use them is excellent public policy. Wish there were more such schools). Although Texans are reputed to be hyperbolic, I absolutely take your word for it that Blue Bell ice cream is the best in the world and am sorry to say that I live in that half of the country deprived of its availability; because of which I've never tried it. Someday, though!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Eventually Blue Bell will move into Massachusetts, David. Then you're in for a treat! :)

[@Amy-op9yo]

A lot of very rich attorneys and oil/gas executives who either live in Burton full-time or have a weekend getaway there. I worked for one who helicoptered into downtown Houston daily. I live in Houston and am a paralegal for a "hoity-toity" law firm. My boss bills clients no less than 1500.00 per hour. These are very successful attorneys who are shareholders in very large law firms that are worldwide. I love your show and love it when you travel through Texas towns. You will find them tucked away in other small towns within 75 miles of downtown Houston.

[@Austin8thGenTexan]

It's much the same with Athens, Texas. It's always been a 1.5 hour drive from Highland Park in Dallas. Millionaires there are mostly oil and banking families. They have a century-old club called Koon Kreek Klub. (A 40 year waiting list to get a cabin there). Governor Bill Clements and his wife Rita could not wait, so they bought an adjacent ranch of their own. There's still an article about Koon Kreek Klub in the June 1 1997 edition of D Magazine which you can Google and read for free. Athens produced oil millionaires like Clint Murchison and Sid Richardson. A very connected town. (I grew up there, and still have Caenmoor near Koon Kreek Klub. Fascinating fodder for someone with a mostly useless history degree).

[@Amy-op9yo]

@@Austin8thGenTexan Thank you for sharing. I am headed to the google machine to read all about it. I love history so I would treasure a history degree. I think history is a thinking man's subject. I am also a multi-generational Texan steeped in Texas love and pride.

[@Austin8thGenTexan]

@@Amy-op9yo Thank you for your kind and encouraging words! I knew nothing about Burton whatsoever, and enjoyed your story. I love my history degree and do treasure it these days. Southwest Texas State University was a bit of a wild place while I attended it. Many of my friends partied way too much - and never graduated. Fortunately, my first generation German American roommate was headed to law school, and we managed to keep our grades up. We only spoke German at home, and now I am working on my German Goethe Institute certification at the German Free School here in Austin (at age 65). But... I love East Texas with all my heart, despite religious and deep political differences... ✌️

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting.

[@frankfgsr]

Always a very nice and very informative excursion!!!

[@crawford323]

Brenham has one of the best manicured wooden seat baseball field. To watch a game there is so much fun! It is like being transported back in time. Brenham is a jewel and held pretty high with most of the population in that part of Texas. Very pretty country too with rolling hills and lots of oak trees. They have a nice community airport too. No commercial flights but just old airport bums who sit around talking flying while watching a mechanic wrench on old airplanes. Outstanding!

[@shelleyprice273]

Round Top Texas is ground zero for the biggest antique shows on earth twice a year for a month. The place is crawling with people! Thanks for this video, one of favorite so far.

[@Amy-op9yo]

"The Cat"! I love how you've integrated the cat meme into your storyline as an insider treasure hunt. It's an "easter egg", as buried inside software. It's also a smart social media advertising move because the internet loves cats. Embed a kitten picture on those clips with a cat with the tagline like - Did you see the cat...follow me!

[@jerrycummings2821]

I've asked for chickens - nothing to do with "the ranch" because the small towns I grew up in had chickens in almost every yard - the towns all look like there should be chickens SOMEWHERE!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Amy. It wasn't on purpose but I'm committed now. :)

[@renafielding945]

I grew up in Brenham Those places you talk about are all part of my memory

[@jimjustice581]

Fascinating! I’ve heard of Washington on the Brazos my entire life, but have never taken the time to check it out. The windows were open, I’m sure, for light. Also, a thought crossed my mind about La Grange. I’m sure when the law shut it down, people came from all around to take souvenirs, ie. roof tiles, wall studs, doors, windows, etc. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing this historic tour with us. Well done, as always.👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great comment, Jim.

[@arlysanhawk]

Love watching your videos! But this by far is my favorite. I live like just an hour away and didn't know how cool towns are! Might have to really take time to visit and explore.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You should! They’re awesome places to visit. 😀

[@mussaali5239]

Thank you, Joe. I'm hooked on your videos. Amazing stuff 👏 👌!

[@jackgray8856]

Enjoy your videos,talking to local residents about their area and history would be a wonderful asset to your site

[@AGCcachanilla]

Love this channel, discovered it jan 2nd, 2023 and been watching it since! Lol love watching videos about texas but will never visit it lol if they see my California plates theyll run me off the road😂

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You would be okay. :)

[@annseabolt6645]

I’ve visited all the towns mentioned in your video. Round Top is the hub of antiques week a twice yearly 20 mile long antiques and collectibles show. It has vendors from all over the country come to sell their wares. LaGrange is where I and my friends always stay when we go to the antiques show. One of the Chicken Ranch buildings was moved to Dallas and housed a restaurant from September 1977 to January 1978. Chicken Fried Steak was their signature dish. My great aunt lived in Brenham in a huge old home built in the 1800’s. We had good friends who lived in Chappel Hill in an old house also built in the 1800’s I loved going to visit them. My aunt owned a small grocery store in the front room of her house, which was just down the street from Blinn College, and I used to visit her in the summer and remember eating Blue Bell back then. This was in the 1960’s and at that time Blue Bell was mostly a regional product. I live near Dallas and was so excited when Blue Bell made its way up here. If you want to see a really beautiful town you should come to Waxahachie. We are known as the gingerbread city for all the old victorian houses and we have a gorgeous old red sandstone courthouse built in 1897 also in the romanesque style. It’s much more ornate than the one in LaGrange.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Waxahachie will get its own video, most likely this summer.

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

I turned 57 on December 30 … so thank you for taking with you in Texas. I enjoyed it!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@klh2m661]

Lovely well-tended cemetery thanks for showing it

[@jasonculinarycoppadgett]

Round Top is like Canton and Fredericksburg. Lots shopping and Joanna from Magnolia picks up things from there for her shows

[@vadasatterfield4537]

My husband worked with a woman who grew up outside of LaGrange and her family ran an actual chicken and egg farm. She said many young men came to their door expecting something tastier than a chicken! Her mom was not happy!

[@jacqui7261]

Good Luck to Blue Bell creameries, the information you gave was interesting. Some of the houses are huge !

[@kenp9596]

Love your videos and the narrative you provide. I live in College Station so even though I am familiar with the communities you visited it was very interesting and informative. Been by the Catholic Church many times but never been inside. Certainly was not aware of the value of the homes in Round Top!

[@davidmclaughlin2796]

That's a good video Spoda, I enjoyed it. That's a beautiful park at the start of it. Thanks. David

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, David.

[@bigd510]

My mother was born in Cameron, Texas, just a little north of where you were. Thanks to Google Map I can visit it. I've never seen Blue Bell ice cream out here in California. Really enjoyed your video.

[@joewenzel5142]

Merry Christmas displayed at the Court House - nice. Stick it to the Happy Holidays crowd.

[@sharoncruzen1942]

That was nothing but BS! No one ever stopped saying “Merry Christmas”! Another Republican conspiracy theory!🙄

[@MariaHudanish]

Sharon, they sure were a lot of people that wanted to start that happy holidays garbage and I love merry Christmas !!

[@renecolin1597]

Thanks for sharing i enjoy these old towns

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@TheGordiva]

Round Top is the location of a HUGE antique fair twice a year (it stretches for miles up and down the road). I think there are also other events there (music festivals, etc.)

[@boebradley867]

Did you ever go to Pierce City, MO? F3 tornado devastated the town in 2003, was wondering what it looked like now. Love your videos, keep on rolling and be safe.

[@dmcdmusic]

Love your videos and Australian Siri , makes me feel at home. Great work and thanks.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@haivannguyen8972]

That is beautiful small Texas town. Thank you very much.

[@Laura-nm3rn]

What another great video! Round Top does look like an interesting place to visit. As an Illinoisan I was sad when they quit selling Blue Bell in my area. I loved the stuff.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That sucks! It will probably be back, though. They're still recovering from the Listeria outbreak.

[@Laura-nm3rn]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Went about 40 minutes away and found Blue Bell in Vincennes, Indiana at one store. We’re loaded up now.

[@connierackel3639]

I love Roundtop,and have for so so many years. It started out as a really cool place to stop that has what I called Junk stores and stores that carry local artists. Located in between Houston and Austin on one of the major theraways 290 they are a perfect town for seeing some beautiful pieces of art, and when they have their craft shows there is so much to see. And what's even better they still have my favorite junk shops.

[@garywoodard6693]

Wow, you missed so much in this video. In Chapel Hill you missed the sign on the front door of the bank telling customers that concealed carry was not only permitted but was encouraged. In Bastrop there is a row of absolutely beautiful restored two-story shop buildings facing the railroad tracks just off the main street. I haven't seen them since the restoration is complete but even before the restoration was started they were fantastic. But the biggest miss of all was the concert hall at Round Top. You are right it is a destination. I know you probably have some time restraints but stopping occasionally and talking with the locals would be encouraged. But it is so sad you missed the concert hall at Round Top. Remarkable building outside but unbelievable inside. I have photographs if we could arrange a digital transfer. You will go back when you see it.

[@chadriche]

33 minute mark-the old city/county jail. The new jail is located on highway 77 north of la grange. It is supposed to be haunted. Loved this video. Grew up in Schulenburg(17 miles south of La Grange. ) I have been all over the places you showed here.

[@magacapwearer5910]

You should go 2:21 there during Texas' birthday celebration. It's a great time. Lots of fun activities and people actually dressed up like yesteryear and cooking like yesteryear. It's loads of fun for the whole family

[@jburnett8152]

Been to Round Top a few times. Weekends are packed. Antique shops and restaurants. Fun place to visit.

[@carolynkelley2641]

Round Top is known for its HUGE Antique festival/fair. It has been made famous by the couple from Waco with the HGTV show.

[@BrunieStudios]

Another great video, I’m enjoying watching and learning. What a beautiful Downtown in Brenham….You are so lucky to be able to do this, and your wife gets to go along,! What a wonderful life! One day, want to visit Texas, it’s an amazing state….😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks for watching, Burnie! :)

[@chrishaas3160]

Definitely one of your best videos. .. It took me an hour and a half because I kept pausing to get a better look at things >Thanks Joey

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Chris.

[@sadielampduo3762]

Awsome trip to ride along on . Beautiful old architecture and history . Thanks Spoda 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

My pleasure, Sadie. :)

[@HottieBugatti]

I love this town 😊 so glad you shared, authentic and open, so cool 😀

[@trevorsmith4230]

I think the house that you mentioned sold for $2 million was on the left of of the camera shot from 25:20!

[@arlene8587]

I enjoy all your videos very informative and enjoyable thank you

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks for watching, Arlene. :)

[@conniebaker1958]

Awesome vid!!!! Nice old buildings love the smallest Catholic Church. Nice to see stuff like that.

[@anitawest6999]

Thank you for traveling. It gets me out of town. Safe travels to you and yours!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Anita!

[@scottapeshot]

Very nice. But you missed the Kriesche Brewery (a state park and historic set of ruins/buildings) in La Grange. It's on a high bluff on the north side of town, and looks down on the Colorado River. Very beautiful and historic. Lots of Czech heritage throughout the area you were in in this video.

[@timd1833]

South side of La Grange

[@scottapeshot]

@@timd1833 That's right, thanks. Sorry about the typo.

[@brstoffel]

I am grateful to get to see my late aunt’s favorite Texas town … Brenham. Thank you!! Such a great video!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That is a great town.

[@kutnahora100]

Wow, Brenham is such a quaint and beautiful town...

[@WaskiSquirrel]

This reminded me of my visit to Texas 20 years ago. I never visited this part of Texas. But I clearly remember all the old-fashioned downtowns. And I remember that the small towns seemed to be a lot larger than the small towns in my state of North Dakota. Interesting to see this with rain while I'm sitting here surrounded by snow!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting, WS. I looked at the ND weather. It's freakin' cold up there right now!

[@amybobamie7366]

Everything is bigger in Texas even our ghost towns