Page 20 - Visit Fayette | 2017 - 2018 Visotors Guide

Carmine Great Place to Visit, Live

Carmine, “the little city with a big heart,” is The city was incorporated in 1973 with an
right in the middle of it all. Located directly be- active city government, an excellent consolidat-
tween Austin and Houston on Highway 290, ed school system (Round Top-Carmine I.S.D.)
it’s the perfect mid-way stop for all travelers. with the high school campus in Carmine and
Carmine is home of the Texas Basketball the elementary campus located in Round Top.
Museum, Train Depot, many art galleries Whether it is for a day or a weekend,
and antiques shops, and the Carmine Bank, the small town charm and idyllic scenery
famous for once being robbed by members of Carmine offers the perfect getaway from
of the Barrow Gang – Bonnie and Clyde. the hustle and bustle of the big city.
“Many people stop here for gas or a short Not only is Carmine a great place to visit,
break and then come back when they see what it is also a great place to live; whether you are
the town has to offer,” said Vicki LaRue of The Carmine Chamber of Commerce, Museum and starting a family, emptying your nest, or look-
the local Economic Development Board. Visitors Center, housed on the old train depot. ing for a peaceful place to retire. The quiet at-
With a beautiful shaded park, pic- historic buildings house stores that are open mosphere, small population and friendly neigh-
nic area, great restaurants and clean year around. With a wonderful blend that bors make it the perfect place to call home.
gas stations, Carmine is your go-to ranges from fine furniture to “repurposed” There are also many business opportuni-
stop on your way down SH 290. junk, there is something for everyone. ties in Carmine that offer low taxes, local
Having the country’s best antiques Founded in 1883, Carmine (pronounced incentives and a very supportive community
shows scattered across surrounding areas Car-MEEN) is located in the heart of Cen- to established and new business owners.
in the fall and spring, Carmine touts itself tral Texas. With thousands of cars passing So, next time you find yourself driv-
as the “Gateway to the Antiques Festival.” right through town on SH 290 everyday, it ing through Fayette County, stop by and
But Carmine’s antiques aren’t just on the makes the city the northern entrance to all of stay awhile. We’d love to have you experi-
roadsides a few times each year. Many of the the other communities of Fayette County. ence all our little city has to offer!

Round Top/Carmine/Warrenton Antiques Mecca

Continued from previous page exclusive party for wealthy Houstonians. The show was intended to be a rural
There’s no overall organizing author- How it grew so big – it’s acknowledged to be entertainment for country gentry and oth-
ity, but there’s so much to see, just wander- one of the largest markets in the country – is ers drawn by the restoration efforts. Ralph
ing around works fine for most people. an interesting tale. The original Round Top Willard, one of Turney’s original 22 vendors,
Over the last several shows, many female antiques show was the idea of three Houston described it as “a real sort of society thing.”
shoppers have affected a certain style which matrons way back in 1967. There was one There were the usual fine American
might be described as “gypsy cowgirl” meets venue – the historic Round Top Rifle Hall. and European antiques, but the hottest
“shabby chic.” It consists of tapered jeans or Hazel Ledbetter, Faith Bybee and, items were pieces of handmade 19-cen-
flowing skirts, high boots – western or high most notably, philantropist Ima Hogg, tury Texas furniture which had suddenly
fashion – and faux-battered cowboy hats. were all involved with the “discovery” become desirable due to the collecting
The fashion statement has been popularized of the rich local heritage of European- efforts of Hogg, Bybee and others.
by the Junk Gypsies, a Round Top mother- influenced art, craft and architecture. The show became a regular event on the
and-sisters act and “Shabby Chic” fashionista Their interest in buying, restoring and River Oaks social calendar in the late 60s
(and London ex-pat) Rachel Ashwell. furnishing 19th-century homes in the and early 70s. As concerts and other cul-
The Gypsies’ tongue-in-cheek name for area – especially Hogg’s work at Winedale tural activities flourished at Hogg’s Winedale
themselves reflects a departure from the rather and Bybee’s in Round Top – attracted the and Bybee’s Henkel Square (including
hoity-toity tone of the original antiques show interest of their circle of friends in Houston, piano concerts by Hogg’s artistic protege,
in Round Top. Although their original venue some of whom bought ranches and built James Dick,) the antiques show grew too,
location was in Warrenton, a Junk Gypsy homes in the area. They became known becoming twice-yearly, originally, “the first
“world headquarters” is now located near locally as the “mink and manure set.” full weekends of April and October.”
Round Top. Ashwell’s home turf is a bed and In 1967, Ledbetter, Bybee and Hogg Money attracted money and social cachet
breakfast retreat northeast of Round Top on recruited their antiques dealer friend, didn’t hurt. Quite soon, Round Top was not
the way to Shelby. It’s dubbed “The Prai- Emma Lee Turney, to set up the first just another dying little agricultural town –
rie.” The irony is that what is now a massive Round Top show. It was scheduled to co- it was re-invented, much in the manner of
middle-class phenomenon started as a rather ordinate with activities at Winedale. Santa Fe, as a cultural and artistic center.

20 Visit Fayette | Fall/Winter 2017