Grandpa & I did a “Hwy I-10 Scavenger Hunt” between Brookshire & Schulenburg. I planned we would find some unique landmarks, Texas Historical Markers, do geocaching, take selfies at murals and try some new breweries in Brookshire, Sealy, Columbus, Weimar, & Schulenburg. While driving, I saw a Spoetzl Brewery (brewery for Shiner beer) sign off HWY I-10. I don’t like beer, but I enjoy listening to bands. So, we decided to make it our last stop.
Brookshire, Waller Co.
Our first stop was at “The Largest Igloo Cooler.” The red cooler is at the visitors’ entrance at the Igloo Plant.
Our 2nd stop was the “Kellner Townsite” (hm) #9391, but we couldn’t find it. However, we did find the “Donigan House” (hm) #9379. We had lunch at “Magili (an El Salvador) Bakery & Restaurant.” While we were ordering tacos & tamales, I told the owner it was my first time at an El Salvador restaurant. He suggested I try a Pupusa de Queso, a cheese-stuffed tortilla. A few minutes later, he brought me a plate with a pupusa. I pulled out a fork & a knife to cut it. He said, “NO, that’s not how you eat it!” He pulled it apart from the sides & put some cabbage mixture on top of the melted cheese. The owner told me to eat the pupusa like a taco! It was delicious. LoL.
Don’t worry, Sabrina (our German Shepard) was relaxing in the A/C in our running truck while we ate lunch.
Sealy, Austin Co.
Our next town was Sealy. We found “Sealy” (hm) #4623 and “Haynes Mattress Factory” (hm) #2411. We enjoy reading history & finding fun facts. The Haynes Factory has a good story.
Columbus, Colorado Co.
After parking & setting up our trailer, we resumed our hunt. We went into town and parked at the visitor’s bureau. Columbus has many (hm), but we looked for the five around the courthouse. “Old Stafford Opera House” (hm) #5087, “Colorado County, 1837, and Robert “Three-Legged Willie” Williamson.” It’s a sign. It’s next to the water tower. “The Rangers of Austin’s Colony” (hm) #4199, “Tumlinson Family” (hm) #15368, “Stafford – Miller House” (hm) #5088. Everything is on the same block. The story of “Three-Legged-Willie” was good.
It was 96⁰, and the hot sun was burning us, so I decided it would be a great idea to get some ice cream at the OST Creamery & cool off. I noticed the creamery on the drive into town. We got there & no chairs inside. So, we had to eat our Butter Pecan ice cream outside in the heat but in the shade.
After eating our ice cream, we went next door to the Hound Song Brewing Co. I told the waitress about having to eat outside in the heat. She said, “Oh no, we let their customers come inside to eat.” What? Lol
Grandpa had a beer & we shared an appetizer. We were there only for a short time. We had to go back to the trailer & let Sabrina out. Anyway, the band wouldn’t start until 6 pm. Later, we went back to Hound Song for dinner. That was it for Friday.
We started early on Saturday to enjoy the lovely morning. First, we took pictures in front of the “Greetings from Columbus” mural. Afterward, we went to the “Waterworks Tower Museum,” a small museum. On the last Saturday of the month thru the summer is the “Columbus’ Farmer’s Market” until the end of Nov. I loved the farmer’s market. There were things from beautiful birdhouses to canned food at reasonable prices. These places are also around the courthouse.
Weimar, Colorado Co
We visited “St. Michael Catholic Church,” (hm) #4474, and it’s one of the six Painted Churches. We found the “Town of Weimar” (hm) #5743 & “Weimar Railroad Depot” (hm) #5742.
Schulenburg, Fayette Co.
We visited St. Mary, The Queen of the Painted Churches. St. Mary had a fantastic tour and we joined it. Sadly, it knocked us off our schedule. However, Importantly, I lit a candle & said my prayers.
We visited the Visitor’s bureau and had lunch. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the Stanzelu Museum. However, we did stop at the Polka Music Museum. The museum is tiny! But I wanted to visit because polka music greatly influenced Tejano music.
Shiner, Lavaca Co.
Our last stop was in Shiner, and it’s way off 1-10 but worth it. We went to Spoetzl Brewery and did the Shiner Tour for $20. It included a Shiner bag, a bottle opener, a sticker, a drinking glass & 3 tokens for free beer. For us, the tour was interesting and worth it. Since I don’t like beer, I jokingly told grandpa he has six tokens now. Grandpa didn’t use all of his tokens but is saving them for next time. Shiner park had food, a band, and a family-friendly park. We are definitely going back. Afterward, we headed back to Columbus for the evening. We were exhausted. Sabrina was so happy we were back!
Sunday, we headed home. We had a great time, learning some history & some fun facts. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to do some geocaching; it was too hot to look.
Lastly, I give you the link to Historical Markers https://www.hmdb.org/.
If you have any questions, contact me.