Round Top in Fayette County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Early Texas Hotels and Inns

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, September 14, 2025

1. Early Texas Hotels and Inns Marker

Inscription. Two miles east, at Winedale, is the Old "Sam Lewis Stopping Place" of the 1850s--a typical early Texas inn, now a University of Texas Research Center. Built 1834, as a settler's 2-room log cabin of hand-hewn cedar; then enlarged twice and (with work of local German craftsmen) improved in style, it was home after 1848 to Lewis, his wife, eight children; also entertained guests from passing stagecoaches. It was near roads connecting major Texas cities. Many roadside homes in early Texas were inns. The horseback traveler would shelter his pony in the barn, share family meals, get a room for the night. All stage lines depended on such accommodations--for changes of horses, for passengers' meals, and for overnight stops. With travel difficult at best, such inns rendered a service of great public necessity. A frontier inn might even be a dugout, where the guests rolled up in blankets and slept on the floor. (Travelers sometimes had to sleep under a tree, so any sort of sheltering house was usually welcomed.) Most stage stops dispatched and received U.S. mail for the community. Towns originated at many stops. In early Texas, famous hotels included the Tremont, Galveston; The Old Capitol, Houston; several in Austin.

Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5261.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 30° 3.917′ N, 96° 41.751′ W. Marker is in Round Top, Texas, in Fayette County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 237 and Farm to Market Road 1457, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 237. On the west side of town square in Round Top. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Round Top TX 78954, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Round Top (within shouting distance of this marker); Round Top Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Bernard Scherrer (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Schueddemagen Home (about 700 feet away); Moores Fort (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Kraus House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pochmann House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wandke House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Round Top.

Additional keywords. Inns Hotels

Early Texas Hotels and Inns Marker at Round Top town square. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, February 5, 2010

2. Early Texas Hotels and Inns Marker at Round Top town square.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, February 5, 2010

3. Early Texas Hotels and Inns Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,288 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on March 7, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.