Treasure Hunting Texas Style

Whimsical old carousel horse looking for new home

It’s springtime in Texas, and to antique lovers, that means Round Top. The tiny town
of Round Top, Texas, population 71, roughly halfway between Houston and Austin, is ground zero for anyone buying, selling or swapping antiques.

The bluebonnets are putting on their show, and the fields and barns are filled to capacity
with dealers from as far away as Maine. The two-lane country road leading to Round Top
is lined with tents and stalls that are more flea market than antique market. It’s a bargain hunter’s paradise overflowing with collectibles of every sort, from architectural pieces to vintage kitsch.

The multi-dealer indoor shows like The Red Barn and Rifleman’s Hall offer rare decorative

You could do some amazing boot-scootin' in these red hot retro boots

items, jewelry, rugs, art and high-end Americana furniture and accessories. Long before the show begins buyers are lined up waiting for the doors to open. It is early morning and the ground is still wet with dew. Standing with steaming cups of coffee and water bottles, they exchange stories about yesterday’s finds. You can feel the adrenalin as the doors finally swing open and they rush inside scouring the artfully decorated booths for something that catches their eye.

As the day wears on, even the most ardent shopper can no longer resist the smell of barbecue that trails through the warm air. Time to take a break over a heaping plate of Central Texas style ribs and smoked sausage, and discuss the game plan for the rest of the day.

After another three or four hours of trekking through the tents and fields, it might be time
to head over to Bud Royer’s Round Top Cafe on the Main Square. Bud is famous for his pies. What better way to end the day than with a slice of homemade peach or apple pie, a la mode of course!

Happy hunting, y’all.

Tips:

If you missed the April show, no worry. The Round Top Antiques Fair is held twice a year. The fall show is the first weekend in October.

The Round Top Chamber of Commerce is a great source for local lodging. Their website also has a list of the antique venues with their contact information. www.roundtop.org

Make your room reservations as early as possible, preferably months before the next show.

There are outside venues that set up weeks before the official opening weekend.

Most dealers do not accept credit cards. They will take your personal check, but cash is king.

There are shipping services on-site that will pack and deliver a single piece of furniture or all of your purchases.

Stock your car with bubble wrap and blankets to protect breakables.