Italy, Texas, is the self-proclaimed biggest little town in Texas. It’s south of Waxahachie and LITTLE for sure. With a population of only 2,000, it’s an everyone-knows-everyone-AND-their-business town.
If you need a landmark to find Italy, it has one. The largest concrete caterpillar in the country. QUITE THE CLAIM TO FAME. It’s the one right off Interstate-35 as you head down to Austin.
A Historic Home in a Historic Town
So when did this town get cranking? Back in 1879, glad you asked.
Turns out settlers found “the surrounding soil suitable for sweet potatoes, corn, and wheat.” Then Italy got another little bump in 1890 when the railroad made its way west and turned Italy into an “important market center.”
And then the Great Depression hit and it all went to crap. But, happy ending, look at this house! It’s right off downtown in Italy and at first I thought “oh wow, holiday house!” But DUH — it’s red, green, and white for the Italian Flag. Makes more sense. A little more longevity on that color scheme.
Built in 1931, this house was originally a hotel. It’s a charmer for sure and a big boy. There are four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and almost 3,000 square feet.
The kitchen is huge, with high ceilings and it’s been updated. Not that anyone asked me, but I’d like to see a little more “1931” in there. I feel like it’s almost too light. Seems like people back then liked dim lighting, dark woods, and real moody décor. Am I wrong?
Plenty of Room to Spread Out
There’s a lot of charm in this two-story though. Even off the kitchen you have stained glass transom insets, way cool under stairs storage with a dark heavy wood door, and then there’s the separated entryway right inside the front door.
Upstairs, the roofline and dormers create angles on the inside and even though that makes it virtually impossible to hang art, it’s my freaking favorite thing. Like get some wallpaper and call it a day.
The moral of this home story is if you’re looking for vintage, throwback living, you can find it. And for under $400,000, too. Just head down to Italy and check out 133 Harpold. Keller Williams’ Kimberly Rumfield has it listed for $369,900.
