Skyrunner Guest House is a member of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce
Skyrunner Guest House is located on one acre of treed grazing land in Fayette County, Texas and is frequented by cattle, cowbirds, deer and occasionally other creatures who enjoy the outdoors. With Fayette County being essentially rural and agricultural there are the beautiful sunrise and sunset vistas, the pastures, ranches and the gently rolling hills.
The original old Bluff road
Just two miles away is La Grange, Texas, the county seat and a Main Street town with it nicely restored square and newly renovated historic court house which has been used as staging for movies. La Grange is the commerce center of the county and offers a full range of goods and services including the new St. Mark’s Medical Center. Fayette County is rich in art, culture, history and agriculture. The famous Round Top Antique Fair, Festival Hill and the new Czech Heritage Cultural center are located within just a few miles of Skyrunner Guest House and the Monument Hill-Kreische Brewery State Park is only 3/10 of a mile away.
HISTORIC FAYETTE COUNTY JAIL
Skyrunner Guest House is high above the Colorado River on the “Bluff” which was once the town of Bluff, Texas.It was a cotton growing town with a cotton gin, a post office from 1903-1969, two stores, and a blacksmith shop. By 1960 cotton was no longer a primary crop and the fields were replaced by crops and cow pastures. Much of it became over grown with hardwood, mesquite, cedar and various other trees. Bluff became a largely residential community and by 1987 there was a large county club and two businesses.*
SHINER, TEXAS. HOME OF SHINER BEER
Skyrunner Guest House was built around the time of the depression in the 30’s as a small two bedroom cottage.It was built by the owners using native hardwood found in the area. Later a small room was added to the back and used as an additional bedroom and later a utility room.Around the 50’s or 60’sthe house was leveled, additional piers put in place or stabilized and a perimeter concrete beam put around the front and both side of the house.Another room was also added to the front of the house.The house was left idle for about 10 years before Liz and I bought it but it had been continually maintained by the owner’s son.We found the house to be inexorably charming and solidly built with no structural damage or weaknesses.We had the rear laundry room removed and built a deck there and we had the house totally renovated with a fully new electrical system; heating and cooling system; new roof; new interior walls, ceiling and wall insulation; storm windows and a new kitchen. Exterior work and landscaping was also done.The plumbing was totally replaced and a small guest laundry area added off the bathroom.
SKYRUNNER GUEST HOUSE AGAVE CACTUS
The dilemma of how to restore this fine architecture without destroying its country depression era character was a formidable one.The plan was to maintain the building in its present state while eliminating safety concerns, and upgrading the electrical and HVAC system.The goal was to make this a first class guest house and that goal was achieved. Being a perfectionist made things a bit difficult for me because the tendency was to strip everything down to bare wood and refinish it.That wouldresult in the loss of character.I decided on precision instead of perfectionism.That can be debated as a philosophical issue but the character and integrity were maintained while precision workmanship was exercised.For the safety of our guests some things needed to be done that were not done in the 30’s, such as stainless steel grab bars in the bathroom, flat top stove, up to code wiring and a few other things.
"THE BLUFF" CONSTRUCTION
Overall the guest house is still the old country farm house in the middle of a cotton field except for the lack of cotton.But the agriculture is there, the sunsets and sunrises still come and go, the cattle still graze, and the countryside maintains its magnificence.
*taken in part from A Handbook of Texas Online
SKYRUNNER GUEST HOUSE, WHERE YOU NEED TO BE
Elizabeth and Luke (Cheyenne)
"There are no simple solutions, only intelligent decisions"
