Carmine Texas Gateway to Antiques Festival Near Round Top, Texas

Spraddling Hwy 290 at the northernmost point of Fayette County, travelers will discover “The Little City with a Big Heart”- Carmine, Texas. Though small, more than 30,000 cars pass through the city on a busy weekend. A true antiques community, Carmine has earned the respectable reputation of “The Gateway to the Antiques Festival,” boasting 10-plus antique shops open year-round with great finds — from industrial to Americana.

This article is sponsored by the Carmine Economic Development organization

A Rich History

Originally known as Sylvan, Carmine was founded in 1883, by highly esteemed physician, Benjamin J. Thigpen, who had purchased 46 acres for $230. The city’s name was later changed to Carmean, after one of its original settlers, Newton Carmean, and finally to Carmine in 1892 to prevent confusion for the postal service with the town of Cameron, Texas. Today, Carmine offers visitors a colorful history of stories and landmarks, including the Texas Basketball Museum, the Carmine Museum, which is housed in the city’s original Train Depot, beautiful art galleries, and the Carmine State Bank famous for having been robbed by the Bonnie & Clyde gang.

Small City Charm

Carmine continues to offer a beautiful, slow-paced experience while having grown to host crowd-favorite restaurants, bake shops, service businesses, authentic antiques, a beautiful local park with shady pecan trees perfect for picnics and gatherings, and more. (See this special map of businesses.)

The city is also home to the original Carmine Schutzen Verein dance hall, also known as the Carmine Hall, which hosts one of the best high-end antiques shows and barbeque lunches around during the fall and spring antiques shows. Shoppers can find everything from original American antiques including primitives to repurposed furniture and architectural finds. There’s something for everyone, with the perfect vintage piece at every turn.

A Gathering Place for All

Carmine is also known for its events and gatherings of people from all over, including the annual Casino Night hosted by the Chamber of Commerce each year, the annual Christmas Fest, the annual car show hosted on “Valentine’s Weekend” (the weekend closest to Valentine’s Day), and the City Easter Egg Hunt held the Saturday of Easter weekend.

Carmine Texas Gateway to Antiques

Carmine is the perfect, peaceful escape for antiques shoppers and visitors looking for a country-side getaway. Located right down the road from Round Top, shoppers can make a convenient afternoon or weekend trip by visiting on a Friday or Saturday when not shopping through venues during the Antiques Festival. Whether to search for antique treasures in Carmine’s unique, one-of-a-kind shops or to enjoy a piece of pie or one of the best steaks around, plan a visit today for a leisurely, relaxed retreat.

To learn more about “the little city with a big heart,” visit www.carminetx.com.

May we suggest Four Things to do in Carmine?