After months of careful restoration, the historic Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson, Texas, is ready to welcome the public back with a grand reopening on Friday, November 15. This 190-year-old landmark, once a critical stop for travelers and commerce, is celebrating its legacy with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and stagecoach rides. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held from 12 to 1 p.m., symbolizing the completion of extensive renovations, including updates to the roof, walls, windows, and shutters. Guests are encouraged to stay for stagecoach rides, available from 12 to 4 p.m., offering a chance to experience transportation from a bygone era. Admission is free, with suggested donations of $10 for adults and $5 for children to support the preservation efforts. For more details, reach out to Chandler Wahrmund at the Texas Historical Commission at [email protected].
A Storied Past
The Fanthorp Inn, first constructed as a two-room cedar log dogtrot cabin by English immigrant Henry Fanthorp in 1834, grew into a 17-room inn by 1850. It served as a key stop for travelers and a vital center of commerce and communication, with historical ties to four of Texas’s six national flags. Over its years of operation, the inn hosted prominent figures, including Sam Houston, who is recorded to have visited 13 times. The inn still retains original furniture, including two armoires that have remained onsite since its early days, lending an authentic historical experience to guests. Adding to the inn’s intrigue are hidden messages left by 1980s restoration workers, scrawled on walls and under siding, a subtle testament to its layered history. Archaeological findings on the property also reveal its complex past, including crystals tied to African spiritual traditions, reflecting the lives of the 37 enslaved individuals who lived and worked on the property by 1860.
Community and Preservation Efforts
This restoration, overseen by the Texas Historical Commission, emphasizes the importance of preserving every facet of Fanthorp Inn’s story. As visitors step into its restored rooms and explore its grounds, they’re encouraged to reflect on the many lives and histories tied to the site. The inn’s legacy as the “finest inn in the South” is as relevant today as it was over a century ago, offering a rare glimpse into Texas’s past. For more information and to start planning a visit, head to visitfanthorpinn.com.
