The Texas Historical Commission will celebrate the reopening of Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson on Friday.
The reopening comes after an extensive renovation project at the historic site just outside of Montgomery County in Grimes County.
The day’s events include a ribbon-cutting ceremony from noon to 1 p.m. and stagecoach rides around the site from noon to 4 p.m.
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Preservation of history
“The Texas Historical Commission is happy to reopen the Fanthorp Inn for visitors to experience ‘the finest inn in the South,’ as it was called by visitors in the 19th century,” said Texas Historical Commission Chairman John L. Nau, III. “Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature provide significant support for the preservation of Lone Star State history that creates real economic and quality-of-life benefits to communities across Texas, like Anderson.”
Managed by Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction, the Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site restoration project focused on exterior features, including siding, windows, the roof and paint.
Crews also worked on some interior renovations, including painting and outfitting the rooms with more period furnishings.
About the historic inn
According to information from the Texas Historical Commission, Fanthorp Inn began as a two-room cedar log dogtrot cabin in 1834, when Texas was still part of Mexico. By 1850, it had grown to a 17-room complex.
English immigrant Henry Fanthorp petitioned Stephen F. Austin for permission to settle in Austin’s colony upon his arrival in Texas in 1832. He bought 1,100 acres and built his house in 1834 on the road that crossed his land, thus bringing travelers to his door immediately.
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.
“Fanthorp was a man of high distinction who operated what was likely the finest hotel in the new county, a structure which yet exists in near its original form,” said Robin Montgomery, Montgomery County historian. “He was also a prosperous farmer and mercantilist and operated a mail station on the John S. Black stage line. When Grimes County was carved out of Montgomery County in 1846, it was largely through the influence of Henry Fanthorp that Anderson, the town he had founded, became the county seat of that new county.”
Fanthorp Inn is blocks away from the Grimes County Courthouse in Anderson designed by F.S. Glover and Company and completed in 1894.
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Holiday event returns
With the historic site back open, the inn’s “Twilight” holiday event returns this year. Tickets are now available at the Twilight at Fanthorp Inn ticket page.
It’s from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14.
The event gives guests the chance to travel back in time and experience a period New Years and holiday celebration at the Fanthorp Inn. Activities begin at the Grimes County Courthouse where visitors board a replica stagecoach or wagon for a ride down Main Street to the Fanthorp Inn.
Upon arrival visitors will step off the coach and into the 1800s as the soft glow of candle flickers in the parlor window and the sound of fiddle fills the air.
Tickets will be sold in time slots, all leaving from the Grimes County Courthouse. Tickets are $15 for admission and wagon or yoder ride or $25 for admission and stagecoach ride.
All tickets will be by reservation only and will not be sold at the event. Fanthorp Inn is at 579 S. Main Street in Anderson.
Fanthorp Inn offers a variety of tours and programs for the public. For more information and tour offerings visit the Fanthorp Inn website.
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