Lockhart field trip

Ah, Texas History. A vital part of the education of any youth. So important in fact, that a whole year is dedicated to the history and geography of Texas in the public schools. So as to ensure that MY youth are not left behind we are exploring towns in Central Texas and learning first hand about the history of the area. 

The courthouse in the town square. It just doesn't get any more small town than this picturesque building. 

One cool thing about this courthouse, aside from the architecture and history, is that it was used in the film Where the Heart Is (one of the movies I watch every time I come across it on television). We learned that the building is built out of limestone and red sandstone. 

We also learned that some guy donated a plaque to honor another guy who donated six flags to Lockhart. Sometimes when you're a small town you've got to reach for the history. Good on 'em, I say.

Z, C and J on the steps of the Lockhart courthouse. 

We took in the historical monuments of the area. This one is a tribute to those that served in the armed forces. The bricks that line the pathway up to the door bear the names of significant people (or people who paid to buy the bricks, that part wasn't clear). Do you see C reading all the bricks in the background? These are history-seeking boys I'm telling you.

J's pointing at the Marines emblem for Mac and our cousin Joey.

Are you buying any of this?


So what's the real reason people go to Lockhart? Barbecue of course! This time we went to Kreuz (it's pronounce Crites iffn' you were wondering).  Look there it says 1900 right on the sign. If that isn't history I don't know what is.

Lockhart also boasts Black's and Smitty's, but at Kreuz you eat off butcher paper without forks and sans sauce. We thought that would appeal to the boy's inner caveman. 

Brisket, sausage and ribs with bread and pickles. That's it. That's all you need.

Yes, it really was as delicious as it looks. Just ask the boys.

Oh and after lunch we walked around town square. We went into the town's oldest pharmacy with a curio case that had original prescriptions, bottles and tools of the trade from the store. You know, before all that DEA brouhaha. We ducked into a sewing and quilt shop too, but the boys aren't very happy to recall that part of the trip.


We also visited an antique shop and the owner talked to the boys about the building. The original signage from the turn of two centuries ago (late 1800's) was on the exposed brick in charcoal. The owner told the boys that charcoal was the paint of that time period. Charcoal and whitewash which was used for fences and houses. History and Art, baby!


To cap off the day we headed over to Dairy Queen. There is nothing quite like a treat at a small town Dairy Queen. Another awesome field trip day in the books.