In 1849, German immigrant Heinrich Ludwig Kreische purchased 172 acres of land including the Dawson/Mier tomb, now known as Monument Hill. Master stonemason Kreische built a three-story house for his family. In the 1860s, he utilized the spring water from the ravine below his house and started one of the first commercial breweries in Texas. Walk the ruins of this once bustling brewery and envision how Fayette County citizens would come and enjoy a pint of Kreische’s Bluff Beer while looking out towards the beautiful Texas landscape. The Kreische Brewery and home are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Upcoming Events
June 10
Crafting up with the Kreisches:19th Century Handicrafts
In 19th century Texas, before the mass production of everyday items, making your own traditional handicrafts at home was a common occurrence for rural families, and though it was predominantly done for practical purposes, often the product ...
June 17
"Bluff" Games: Gambling and Gaming in German Texan Culture
German Texans in La Grange and all around the German belt loved to gather for a good time, and often played for luck and chance in casino halls and vereine meetings. Learn about the types of gaming that would have been played within German...
July 1
Ich bin ein Amerikaner: A History of Independence Day on the Bluff
Learn more about the celebrations of the Independence Day on the Bluff. Activities include 4th of July themed tours, ice cream making, a crafty activity, and more. Details to follow.
From the Blog
By Jasmina Kocurek, Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites
The milestones of LGBTQ+ literature are not the first thing that come to mind when one thinks of La Grange, Monument Hill, and the Kreische House. But that is just where one of the first English-language novels to depict lesbian love is set.
Norma Trist or Pure Carbon: A Story of the Inversion of the...
By Gavin Miculka, Assistant Site Manager, Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites
Texans captured after the Dawson Massacre and the Battle of Mier—including those that drew white beans—were eventually imprisoned in Castle San Carlos de Perote in the Mexican state of Veracruz. While a few managed to escape Perote Prison, most were not liberated until September 1844....
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2013 issue of The Medallion.
Article and photos by Andy Rhodes, The Medallion Managing Editor
In the mid-1800s, Germans arriving in Texas were only a few decades removed from the first Oktoberfest in Bavaria. On October 12, 1810, the citizens of Munich were invited to the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess...
Photo Gallery
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