Mr. Howard has a big personality & a big heart! Tomorrow: Saturday, March 8th - we will be conducting a living estate LIVE auction for Howard Konetzke. Many people local to Round Top and La Grange know Howard.
BEFORE The Stone Cellar, in Round Top, was The Stone Cellar - it was The Old Depot. Before that....it was a patch of grass.
I was young when Howard bought that place, but I remember. He went to work on it. I remember them moving the old train depot, that was in LaGrange, by Farmer's Lumber. I remember when the restaurant area was built, and I remember when the dancehall was moved in. As we were setting up this auction he recalled memories of nobody believing he would have things ready for the upcoming show (his first one). It was small at first. He had a handful of vendors, but he did it. Then....it grew. Howard's vendors were loyal and he was loyal to them. My first "big" antique fair purchase as a kid was a cowhide from the vendor that used to set up at the front of the road, at his field.
When he owned The Old Depot, every Chili Cook Off for The Round Top Family Library was held there. I also remember, as a kid, selling ice cream at a booth there, for a class fundraiser.
We were setting up, and I can promise you, most people would look at Howard - a Master Plumber, that followed in his Dad's footsteps (also a Master Plumber) and have NO IDEA the adventures he has been on, the friends that he's made, and the things he's learned, BY ACTUALLY DOING IT!
The other thing that I don't think people would know is his deep appreciation for the antiques and primitives that we will be selling tomorrow. Some of you may have seen some of my TikTok posts at @AuctioneerHeather - with Howard sharing some history of some items. Of all the things in his collection. I think he finds the most joy in his chuck wagon items and some of the VERY primitive tools. That being said, there are SO many things that are a first for me to see. He really does enjoy and appreciate the items he has held in his collection and sharing their use, their age....the story behind them.
The location of tomorrow's auction has been in Howard's family since the 1950s. One thing is for certain...Howard LOVES HIS PEOPLE. As much as Howard has enjoyed the adventures and the things he has collected along the way....he's ready to enjoy life with his people; ready to do things with them and collect memories instead of things. Now....KNOW that Howard isn't turning everything loose. As we were setting up, he found some gems he couldn't part with. However, a very big chunk of his collection will be offered for sale to the highest bidder. Videos, information, items, the PRINTABLE catalog can all be found on either the Buck Up Auctions Facebook Page OR the website www.buckupauctions.com. (CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE LISTING WITH DOCUMENTS) THE AUCTION STARTS at 10AM. It is located at 3541 Hwy 159 in La Grange. Look for a BRIGHT YELLOW AUCTION SIGN on the fence. There will also be directional signs to point you in the right direction. Food and drink will be on site. At some point after lunch, we will run two rings. THERE ARE SOME REALLY GREAT FINDS, so I look forward to seeing those that make it out. The day looks like it will be a nice one.
We don't only have antiques and primitives. We will be offering tools, a tractor, implements, firearms, & SO MUCH MORE TOMORROW. (FIREARMS LIST HERE) We have about 200 items we will start out selling. At 12:30 we will break to sell the firearms - wherever we are. Around 1PM we will sell the tractor and then start selling all the items in the perimeter. We will move into the barn and start selling the tools. Then we will kick off two rings. One auctioneer will be in the barn and one will be outside the barn in the pavillion/lean-to area. Check in/Registration will be at the white trailer.
Just a handful of SOME of the other items offered outside of antiques and primitives:
Howard also has this amazing property on the market. The house and fence, just got a new paint job, the auction is happening tomorrow and it will be ready for a new family to make memories there! You would be only the THIRD family to own this land, since the Spanish Land Grants! Round Top Real Estate holds the listing & you can see more about it here: https://txls.com/texas-real-estate/3541-texas-159-la-grange-tx-78945/145463
As many of you know, but maybe not everyone :), I am a licensed real estate broker associate with eXp Realty and would be happy to represent you, if interested in this property. Frank and Ben plan to be onsite and available to show the home and chat with you about the property.
BUCK UP & come out and see us! Bring your bag chair :).
For all of you that enjoy history - see photos below from Howard's Old Depot days!
