Round Top Historical Society Christmas Tour of Homes Dec. 3

The Round Top Area Historical Society is pleased to present their Annual Christmas Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. as part of the Christmas in Round Top celebration.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased the week of Thanksgiving from the Round Top Chamber of Commerce and Round Top Real Estate during open business hours. They can also be purchased at these locations and from the Round Top Historical Society campus at 397 E. Mill St. behind the Round Top Post Office at our pavilion.

Join the historical society to enjoy some of the most unique homes in Round Top, decorated in Christmas decor and stick around for the other events in town all day long as well as the lighted Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. For additional information contact Jeannette Burger at (281) 610-8274.

Zach Lamberth and Cara Vasquez 309 N. Live Oak, Round Top, Texas

This beautiful modern farmhouse built in 2021 highlights all the current building trends . It includes timeless antiques sprinkled throughout the interior collected over many years. Although Cara and Zach are new to living in Round Top, they are not strangers to this community. Cara has been traipsing the fields of Warrenton since she was a little girl helping her mother who is an antique dealer at Marburger’s among other venues. Their favorite finds are incorporated in this home that gives one that instant, cozy feeling from the moment you step in the door. The board and batten farmhouse named “Wildhorse” refers to the creek that runs through Cara’s north Texas family farm. Beautiful antiques were transformed into functional structural features: bathroom vanities, French bakery doors, and an old bank vault door. The kitchen island bar was sourced from Cara’s childhood home. Some unexpected features include a built-in bar with Venetian mirror back,a sparkle burst light fixture and a very unique soaking tub. The occasional chandeliers add sparkle and glitz. The wood on the fireplace and an oversize farm sink in the half bath was taken from an old barn originally on the property. Take a look at this beautiful home to discover what’s new and old in trending farmhouse construction.

Melissa Vasquez 309 N. Live Oak, Round Top, Texas

Cara’s mom, Melissa lives in this charming cottage on the property. This home is named “Glory Bee” as a reference to Gloria Hickey from whom they purchased the property and to the owner, Melissa whose name means “honey bee.” Filled with treasured antique finds, Melissa has finished out the newly built home interior with ship-lap walls, butcher block counter tops, farmhouse sink, press tin ceilings all invoking a long past century. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves house her large collection of books and antiques. Pocket doors maximize the space. Etched glass doors and transoms appear to enlarge the home and compliments her collection of beautiful, authentic antiques. Nice touches are the iron bed, the renovated settee, and the Coco Channel Parfum display. Melissa lives in Round Top full time and is thrilled to live in this little community.

Jim Choate and Daniel De Ridder 2905 FM 1457, Round Top, Texas

Jim and Daniel acquired this two-story brick home in September of 2020. They had prior lived in Round Top and then in 2017 they built a large custom home in Burton. After much soul searching, they decided they missed the charm of Round Top and promptly sold that ranch and moved back to Round Top where they belong! This large 4700 square foot house was vacant and on the market for quite some time when they discovered it. Jim likes to say “That the house was waiting for me” as there was something about this house that spoke to him. Not exactly the Texas farmhouse style that Round Top is known for, these two men renovated this house into a beautiful home with plenty of space for their interests. They also transformed the property into spectacular gardens with lush,extensive landscaping and also adding 175 live oak trees. As if that was not enough work, they built an additional 1600 square feet to the main house. As they say, everything is bigger in Texas!

Choate-De Ridder Guest House 2905 FM 1457, Round Top, Texas

Across the trellis pathway is a stunning guest house that was fashioned from the original metal barn on the property.. It provides comfortable quarters for guests when they come to visit. Enjoy the beautiful colors in the garden from the sun-room. Never to be idle, these guys are in the process of building another guest quarters in the same barn area. They love Christmas and decorating for the Season. Their hard work is for your pleasure! As per the owners: “Welcome to our home, we hope you enjoy your visit and wish you a very Merry Christmas”!

Round Top Family Library 206 W. Mill St., Round Top, Texas

In the 20+ years since its founding, the Round Top Family Library holds the distinction of being the smallest accredited full-service public library in Texas. One day, a friend of the library saw a peeling gothic church standing alone in a pasture near Buckholts. Further investigation revealed this former Hope Lutheran Church building was owned by Elbert Svetlik, a 92-year-old Czech farmer. Svetlik couldn’t bear for the church to be destroyed, so he moved it to his property and used it for a hay barn.And there it sat for over 30 years until it was discovered and moved in pieces to Round Top where it was completely restored for use as our beautiful library. The nearby gardens provides a safe playground for children and a relaxing spot for locals and visitors.

Rummel Haus 206 W. Mill St. Round Top, Texas

Adjacent to the library, the historic Rummel Haus was built in 1872 for Carl William Rummel, Jr. and his wife Clara Hillebrandt Rummel just after the Town of Round Top was incorporated in 1870. It still sits on its original site. Carl William’s grandfather, Carl Siegismund Bauer who built this house, was an exceptional stone mason who also was the overseer for the construction of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The Rummel family arrived in Texas on board the ship “Neptune” in 1848. The family included the elder Carl Wilhelm (1812—1867), his wife Caroline, a daughter Emma, and son, Carl Wilhelm Jr. Clara and Wilhelm Jr. reared a family of six children, three boys and three girls in this home. The Round Top Family Library consists of these two wonderful historic buildings. The Rummel Haus serves as an auxiliary building for special functions and projects for kids and adults in this community.

Cora Sue and Harry Mach 335 Bybee Road, Round Top, Texas

Rick and Sharon Wolf moved this grand Victorian structure from La Grange to its current location on November 16, 1994. It is believed that Mr. F.B.Wessels bought the land in La Grange in 1895 and then built this home on it. Haven fallen into disrepair, the Wolf’s saw the potential beauty of this house and started extensive restoration once it was moved to Round Top. Although the house is artfully appointed with eclectic architectural embellishments, the outstanding feature is the elaborate woodwork. The wrap around front porch ,the stately columns, the stain glass windows, and unique roof lines make this a fine example of Victorian architect. One can only imagine the pride of ownership that the Wessels’ first had when they built this house in 1895 and the continued pride of ownership by the current owners Cora Sue and Harry Mach as we pass another 100 years.