Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site
Encyclopedia
Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site is a historic hotel
in Anderson, Texas
. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
acquired the 1.4 acres (5,665.6 m²) site by purchase in 1977 from a Fanthorp descendant. Ten years were spent researching and restoring the Inn to its 1850 look. The site was opened to the public on October 4, 1987.
The clapboard-covered log house was built in 1834 by an English immigrant, Henry Fanthorp, as a home for his third wife, Rachel Kennard. He bought 1100 acres (445.2 ha) and built his house in 1834 along the road that crossed his land. The building was enlarged in about 1850 to accommodate its usage as a hotel and store.
Henry Fanthorp was appointed Postmaster
by the Provisional Texas Government in 1835. The building was the first post office
in the region. Fanthorp Inn became a well-known stopping place for stagecoach
es, travelers and the community.
On July 3, 1845, Kenneth Lewis Anderson
, vice-president of the Republic of Texas
died from illness at the Inn while en route home from Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
in Anderson, Texas
Anderson, Texas
Anderson is a city in Grimes County, Texas, United States. The population was 280 in 2009. It is the county seat. The city and its surroundings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Anderson Historic District.-Geography:...
. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is a Texas state agency that oversees and protects wildlife and their habitats. In addition, the agency is responsible for managing the state's parks and historical areas...
acquired the 1.4 acres (5,665.6 m²) site by purchase in 1977 from a Fanthorp descendant. Ten years were spent researching and restoring the Inn to its 1850 look. The site was opened to the public on October 4, 1987.
The clapboard-covered log house was built in 1834 by an English immigrant, Henry Fanthorp, as a home for his third wife, Rachel Kennard. He bought 1100 acres (445.2 ha) and built his house in 1834 along the road that crossed his land. The building was enlarged in about 1850 to accommodate its usage as a hotel and store.
Henry Fanthorp was appointed Postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
by the Provisional Texas Government in 1835. The building was the first post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
in the region. Fanthorp Inn became a well-known stopping place for stagecoach
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
es, travelers and the community.
On July 3, 1845, Kenneth Lewis Anderson
Kenneth Lewis Anderson
Kenneth Lewis Anderson was a lawyer, the fourth and last Vice President of the Republic of Texas.He was born in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where he worked as a shoemaker at an early age...
, vice-president of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
died from illness at the Inn while en route home from Washington-on-the-Brazos.