Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site
P O Box 296
Anderson TX 77830
936/873-2633
History: Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site is located approximately 30 miles southeast of Bryan/College Station. It consists of 1.4 acres in Anderson, county seat of Grimes County. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired the property by purchase in 1977 from a Fanthorp descendant, and it was opened to the public October 4, 1987, to demonstrate nineteenth-century life as an early Texas stagecoach stop and family home. Ten years were spent researching and restoring the Inn to its 1850 use as both a family home and travelers' stop.
The double-pen, cedar log dogtrot house was built by an English immigrant, Henry Fanthorp, when Texas was part of Mexico. Fanthorp petitioned Stephen F. Austin in 1832 for permission to settle in this Original Austin Colony. He bought 1100 acres and built his house in 1834 on the road that crossed his land, thus bringing travelers to his door immediately. Henry Fanthorp was appointed Postmaster by the Provisional Texas Government in 1835 and saw the advantage of offering other services and goods to his frequent visitors. Within time, Fanthorp's became a well-known stopping place for both travelers and the community.
Activities: Attractions include tours of the historic Fanthorp Inn and rides on the authentic replica of an 1850 Concord stagecoach.
Tours: Fanthorp Inn is open for public tours Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The park is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for group tours (by reservation) and school events. Stagecoach Days, on the second Saturday of each month, includes rides on the stagecoach from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact the park for details. Tour fees and more information on group tour packages.
Area Attractions: Nearby are Huntsville State Park, Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway, and Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.
Facilities: Picnic tables under the trees on the hilltop are available in this day-use park and you are welcome to visit the Texas State Park Store.
Weather: January average low 40; July average high 96; rainfall average 40.4.
Schedule: Hours/Days of Operation: Fanthorp Inn is open for public tours Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The park is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for group tours (by reservation) and school events. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
Directions: The park is located in Anderson, Grimes County, off State Highway 90, 10 miles east of Navasota and State Highway 6, which connects Bryan/College Station and Houston.
Current conditions can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744