Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site facts for kids
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Fanthorp Inn
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Fanthorp Inn in 2008
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| Location | 579 S. Main St., Anderson, Texas |
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| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1834 |
| Built by | Henry Fanthorp |
| Architectural style | Log house, Dogtrot house |
| Part of | Anderson Historic District (ID74002072) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated CP | March 15, 1974 |
Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site is a very old hotel in Anderson, Texas. It's like stepping back in time! The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department bought this special place in 1977. They spent ten years carefully making the Inn look just like it did in the 1850s. It opened to visitors on October 4, 1987. Later, on September 1, 2019, the Texas Historical Commission took over caring for it.
Discover Fanthorp Inn
Fanthorp Inn is a famous historic site. It shows what life was like in early Texas. The Inn was a busy stop for travelers and an important place for the local community.
From Home to Hotel
The main building at Fanthorp Inn is a log house covered with wooden boards. An English immigrant named Henry Fanthorp built it in 1834. It was first a home for him and his third wife, Rachel Kennard. Henry bought a large piece of land, about 1100 acres! He built his house right along a main road.
Around 1850, the building was made bigger. This was so it could be used as both a hotel and a store. It became a popular spot for people passing through.
A Busy Stop for Travelers
Henry Fanthorp was given an important job in 1835. The government of Texas made him the postmaster. This meant the Inn became the very first post office in that area!
Fanthorp Inn was a well-known stopping place. Stagecoaches, which were like old-time buses, would stop there. Many other travelers also used it as a place to rest. It was a central spot for the community too.
An Important Visitor
On July 3, 1845, a very important person died at the Inn. This was Kenneth Lewis Anderson. He was the vice-president of the Republic of Texas at the time. He became ill while traveling home from Washington-on-the-Brazos.
