Southern Living calls Round Top "the south's best tiny town." Texas Monthly calls it "the Texas version of Aspen." Travel + Leisure calls it "America's best small shopping town."

Texans call it "heaven on highway 237."

Round Top, Texas is nestled between Houston and Austin in the easternmost portion Texas' stunning hill country, at about an hour and twenty minutes away from each city. It's a tiny town with big city swagger, renowned as a destination for curious creatives, style forecasters, and worldly wanderers on the hunt for discovery, design, adventure, and leisure.

While the draw to Round Top for many is its antiques, picturesque ranches, and art scene, we chose this spot because it has special meaning for us. In the 1800s, Mark's ancestors were among the first German families to settle in the area and help to found the town. In fact, Mark's fourth great-grandfather, Carl S. Bauer, built many of the buildings that are still standing in Round Top today. Among these buildings are the the Prost Wine Bar, Schudamagan House, portions of the Round Top Public Library, and Bethlehem Church, where our wedding ceremony will take place. All of these buildings are dedicated Texas Historic Landmarks and some are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Round Top is home to many more historic sites and buildings that visitors can enjoy. Among them is Lulu's Restaurant, the location of our reception. The building was originally a brewery, which opened in 1865. Most of the buildings on Hotel Lulu property are also historic, many dating back from the mid-1800s to early 1900s.

Throughout its existence, Round Top has played a role in Texas' history and culture. The Townsend family of Round Top had the distinction of sending more men to the battle of San Jacinto than any other family in the Republic. Another Round Top resident, Joel Robinson, was the captor of General Santa Ana, and treated him with such kindness that the General gifted Robinson his gold-embellished vest. The garment was worn by many grooms in the town at their weddings for several generations before being retired to a museum. Robinson's father, John, was a member of the First Congress of Texas. Other notable Round Top residents include the state's first Post Master General, John Rice Jones, and poet Clara Rummel who was dubbed "The Poetess of Texas," and happens to be Mark's third great-aunt. Many of her poems were inspired by her early years in Round Top.

The tiny town served as a major recruiting station for Texas during the Civil War and is home to the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi, which began in 1851.

After several generations, the small farming community's population dwindled and the town fell into disrepair until Houston's millionaire philanthropist, Miss Ima Hogg (aka the First Lady of Texas) stepped in to save the day. In the 1960s, she undertook an extensive restoration project of the entire town and its historic buildings. Ima made certain that the buildings were refurbished using all the techniques and materials that were period appropriate to the 1800s. The timber was put together in the medieval carpentry style of notched and pegged joints, as Round Top's original German and English residents did. Masonry work was carried out in the original German fashion as well.

Today, this little town is home to only 87 residents, but its population swells to about 300,000 people twice a year during Round Top's famous antique shows in the fall and spring. The Round Top Antiques Show is the largest of its kind in the entire country. You may have seen it on Antiques Road Show a time or two! Visitors shop for vintage finds in boutiques, barns, fields, and tents stretching over 11 miles. While the Round Top Antiques Show will not be ongoing during the Shawver Harrison Wedding, many of the antique shops - boutiques and barns, alike - will be open!

Round Top is also a beacon for artists including painters, sculptures, ateliers, woodworkers, musicians, filmmakers, and more. Artist retreats are a common occurrence in Round Top and you can find original works of art all around town. There are several galleries and shops to view and purchase art from local and international artists.

Musicians from around the world visit and perform at Round Top's Festival Hill Concert Hall. With intricately carved wooden ceilings and walls, the acoustically perfect performance space at Festival Hill is truly a work of art that has to be seen to be believed.

Round Top is a beautiful blend of history, art, nostalgia, and southern hospitality. Whether you're porch sitting, treasure hunting, or exploring nature, Round Top is a truly alluring slice of Texas magic.

For more reading on Round Top, enjoy the articles linked below.

TRAVEL + LEISURE

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

SOUTHERN LIVING

FORBES

TEXAS LIFESTYLE