In 1834, English immigrant Henry Fanthorp built his home near the intersection of two stage roads: from Houston to Springfield, Missouri, and from Nacogdoches to San Felipe de Austin.
The home had expanded to an inn with 18 rooms by 1850. Over the years, several famous people stayed at the well-known country inn and tavern.
One of those was Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas.
Host gift?
Houston presented a cane to Henry Fanthorp during a visit to the inn.
The oak cane with brass tip and silver finial handle had been a gift to Sam Houston from his friend Sam Lewis. The cane appears in several photographs of Houston and is an important Texas artifact.
The cane now resides at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Look for it on display in the Visitors Center.
Photo Gallery
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Silver handle of Sam Houston's cane
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