If Walls Could Talk, Round Top Edition
About 25 years ago, I enjoyed watching a TV show called “If Walls Could Talk”. The premise of the show was unraveling the clues that the discovered artifacts told of the previous inhabitants of the structures that were featured.
The statement “If Walls Could Talk” could also apply to the historic Fayette County Precinct Courthouse in Round Top. The building has an amazing story to tell that is intertwined with the heritage and cultural aspects of the Round Top Area. A heartfelt, sincere debt of gratitude goes out to County Judge Dan Mueller, County Attorney James Herbrich and all our Fayette County Commissioners who unanimously recognized that fact. These county officials effectively eliminated the possible demolition of the Round Top Courthouse as an option that might be deemed necessary during the town’s Phase II renovation strategies. The firestorm from the public at large also deserves an earnest thank you and recognition to the numerous citizens that spoke out, including the readers of this paper who made a difference talking about it to their neighbors.
As of late, I often wonder what the walls would say in the Round Top Courthouse, should they be able to talk. Surely, they would have a lot to say about 2025 alone. They could speak about its long-term caretaker, the DYD Club losing its primary fund-raising event, the Square Fair, through a town council resolution. I imagine they might have been distressed to witness an honorable citizen being expelled by Mayor Vincent, constable escort and all, because he went over his 3 minutes of allotted time addressing a DYD lease question. They could also speak of the town council’s decision to refuse the acceptance of any title with deed restrictions deemed necessary by Fayette County to ensure the protection of the Courthouse, as well as traditional town icons of the DYD and the Rifle Hall’s Independence Day Parade.
Round Top is now a tale of two towns. On the one hand, you have the traditionalists, this group consists of generational citizens who grew up in the area and newcomers who believe in preserving the culture, heritage, history and institutions of the area. For the newcomers, it’s truly why they came here. For the lifelong or long-term residents, it is why they have stayed here. The institutions such as the courthouse, town square, the Rifle Hall, and historic Bethlehem Lutheran Church complete and enrich the hamlet feel of the area. They want to preserve it as it is, respect the generational citizens, and assimilate into the culture at large. They realize it’s paramount to their lifestyle here and they certainly do not mind any inconveniences that may come from living out in the country. They realize that growth will come, but it should be done with a deep respect for the generational citizens and tremendous care to preserve the integrity of Round Top and its cultural heritage. After all, why should they suffer, because we came?
On the other side you have the change agents. The one unifying aspect of this group is that they have a more progressive vision for the town and greater community. They largely have an entitled view of the area, possibly driven by their need to control their environment and those who they deem not peerworthy. They are not just grateful to be here, they are here now, and they boldly let everyone know it. They speak of change coming and feel they know best how to direct that change. Most of them come from larger cities, they have little use for the generational citizens or newcomers who might oppose their vision of growth needed to develop their future utopia. They speak of preserving the culture, heritage, history and institutions, but their actions are the telltale sign of their intent. Not long after they arrive, they begin the process to turn their new community into something akin to that of which they fled. They long for a more sophisticated Round Top one forged into the next Aspen, Hamptons or Martha’s Vineyard. Do they ever smell the roses or in our case the blue bonnets? Do they gaze at the darkness of our night sky where God’s creation can be witnessed with astonishment and think about what they are destroying?
On May 8, 2025, I attended the Round Top Town Council meeting. While waiting for the meeting to begin, I looked around the old Precinct Courthouse, stoic like Fort Sumter, weary from 2025, but still here. Its ballon structure has stood the test of time despite false presumptions about its integrity. I gazed around the room and wondered what muted conversations the old walls were hearing, but soon enough we would find out. The agenda items included the resignation of Alderman Owen Massey who had won an uncontested seat on the Round Top- Carmine I.S.D. Board of Trustees. Following Alderman Massey’s resignation, Mr. Barry Bone, who lost the council election on May 03, 2025 to incumbent Karen Duddlesten by one vote, addressed the council with a short discussion of his exemplary qualifications to fill Massey’s vacancy. He had been Mayor of Round Top prior, as well as the town of Rollingwood near Austin. After Mr. Bone concluded, Mayor Vincent called for nominations from the council. Alderman Lynn Conine was present for the first time since I had been attending council meetings. He had been ill, and I was happy to see that he regained his health. Mr. Conine brought forth the nomination of Lou Ann Phillips and right down the line it came. Outgoing Alderman Amy Bone nominated Lou Ann Phillips, David Barr and Barry Bone. Alderman Karen Duddlesten nominated Lou Ann Phillips. Alderman Jeanette Burger nominated Barry Bone emphasizing his 1 vote loss, pleading for his 22 votes by the town’s citizens a mere 4 days prior. Mayor Vincent called for a vote, and just like that, Mr. Barry Bone’s 22 citizens’ votes were deemed null and void, disenfranchised by three council members. Lou Ann Phillips was elected by Aldermen Conine, Bone and Duddlesten. Alderman Burger cast the single vote for Barry Bone. David Barr, another superb nominee, was out as well. It was evident the fix was in. The 22 citizens’ votes Mr. Bone had received in the town election on May 3 were as welcome as a rattlesnake in a sleeping bag to this administration. It should be noted that Mr. Bone is an ardent supporter of preserving the Round Top Precinct Courthouse. In the past he has also spoken about the DYD Club’s importance to the cultural significance of the area and that they were treated unfairly by the town council. The people of the city of Round Top should be deeply concerned by the blatant disregard of 22 citizens’ votes by the majority of the Round Top City Council. It is machine politics that would make Tammany Hall very proud.
Looking through Fayette County Records saved since the Courthouse saga began, I stumbled onto the February 28, 2025 edition featuring our newly appointed Round Top Alderman Lou Ann Phillip’s letter to the editor entitled “Unfairly Vilified” concerning Mayor Vincent. I knew I had seen Ms. Phillip’s name somewhere. Hmm, very interesting.
Mark Neeley, Round Top