Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site

Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site, operated by the Texas Historical Commission, began as a two-room cedar log dogtrot cabin in 1834, when Texas was still part of Mexico. By 1850 it grew to the 17-room complex you can see today. English immigrant, Henry Fanthorp petitioned Stephen F Austin for permission to settle in Austin's colony upon his arrival to 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. 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.

 

Fanthorp's Inn became a well-known stopping place for both travelers and the community. Confederate Generals Henry H. Sibley, Richard Anderson, David Twiggs, and William Hardee all camped at the inn on their way to the Mexican-American War. Confederate Colonel Thomas Lubbock stayed at the inn on several occasions, along with Francis Lubbock, who served as Governor of Texas during the Civil War. Governor Sam Houston, who famously refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, stayed at the inn many times. A handful of confederate troops were unable to pay for their stay at the inn, so Henry Fanthorp sent their bill to the Confederate government. 

 

On July 11, 1865, Fanthorp applied for a Presidential Pardon. He took an oath of loyalty to the Union and applied for that pardon at Camp Millican. Fanthorp freed those enslaved at the inn prior to his application. The site has a draft of the contract he made out with the freedmen and women. Henry received a pardon from President Andrew Johnson for any support he may have given to the rebellion in September of 1865.