Lappe House

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to give it its due. Now, picture yourself out near the Colorado River, close to the old Ft. Mason crossing, a spot that saw plenty of boots and wagon wheels in its day.

That's where Maurice Lappe set down roots. He came over from Switzerland in 1884, made his way to Texas, and he didn't waste any time making his mark on Llano County. The house he built became something more than just a home.

It became the seat of the local court. People with disputes, people with business, people who needed the law's attention, they came to Maurice Lappe's doorstep. Now that's a house doing some heavy lifting.

And if that weren't enough, Lappe was out ahead of his neighbors in ways that mattered on the Texas frontier. He was among the first in Llano to string up a wire fence, a real statement in open country, and he planted orchards too, which takes patience and faith that you're putting down permanent stakes in the land. A Swiss emigrant, a Colorado River crossing, a courthouse in the parlor, and the first wire fence for miles around.

Maurice Lappe didn't just settle in Texas. He shaped a piece of it.

What the marker says

Near busy Ft. Mason crossing, Colorado River, home of Maurice Lappe, 1884 Swiss emigrant to Texas. Seat of local court. Was among first in Llano to have wire fence, orchards. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964