A bit of history

Visited Calvert, Texas today.  A former cotton town which, in the past, enjoyed a period of prosperity.  The main street is wide enough to turn round a waggon with a 4 horse team and the railroad runs through.  In its heyday there were banks, hotels and saloons aplenty.  Saturday night was to be avoided apparently. 

Main street shops are an interesting mixture of ages, colours and styles.  Some derelict and some still in business.  Others in a state of transition.

We stopped for coffee and a kolache (a sweet bread bun with filling, of Czechoslovakian origin).  The owner was a mine of information and we picked up a nicely produced historic homes booklet.  She and her sister posed. 

Then off down one side of main street, in and out of the antique/junk shops and a pottery where we purchased a small pot.

Crossing over we came to Cocoamoda a restaurant and chocolate factory run by an Englishman, Ken Wilkinson.  We stopped here for lunch (Eggs Benedict) and a cup of tea.  Chef Ken popped over to our table between serving another table and selling chocolates to give us his life story.  The restaurant opens for dinner in the evening only on 2 nights a week and there is no menu in advance.  It could be interesting!   We will give it a try.  We asked him how he had fetched up in the tiny place and the answer wasn't very clear but various newspaper reports credit him with re-invigorating the town.


He has certainly attracted some press attention! 







After lunch, and armed with our guide book, we did a short tour of some of the side roads and looked at the houses.  Some wonderful buildings and some, sadly falling into disrepair.  

We decided to visit again on one of their monthly Trade Days and do the rest of the tour.