Sam Houston's Cane

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

Click on any image to view the photo gallery.

  • Silver handle of Sam Houston's cane