Brenham’s square is loaded with antique stores, restaurants, retail stores with clothing and shops to visit. Explore via window shopping. Take time to look at their fabulous murals on the walls around the town. You may be fascinated with the Ant Hotel, which is well-known for not only their hotel rooms, which are exquisitely decorated with antiques from the 1900s, but with their well-known restaurant on the first floor. A large ballroom is available for events, plus the balconies on the second floor make “just sitting around” relaxing and recuperation.
Be sure to visit two museums, side by side. The larger one, formerly the Post Office, where their renovation results allow you to view history via modern methods. Take time to peruse all it offers, then walk next door to the Fire Museum.
Be sure to visit the furniture store. Hermann Furniture Store, built by Gottlieb Hermann in 1876, still stands today with several renovations. Gottleib Hermann arrived from Germany and obviously has contributed to many homes and the offices with his furniture store.
Visit the Chamber of Commerce, as they have many brochures and maps to help you, whether you prefer the downtown with its theater for plays or the Opera House. The Chamber of Commerce offers more information if you prefer to relax in Brenham.
Independence, Texas
Next, venture to the smaller towns and communities to see how much fun you can find in the three historic towns. Several people suggested I look at Independence, Texas. You won’t forget it once you visit. It sits on a hill overlooking beautiful hills and valleys.
The Antique Rose Emporium allows you to, “Stop to smell the roses,” on FM 50 as you drive toward Independence. If you like gardening, be prepared. Bring your desires to reality. I never knew there are so many different roses. Additionally, the Emporium enjoys a relationship with horticulture programs. If you love roses, please don’t miss this stop.
Baylor University State Park
The next stop takes you to the location where Baylor University was born. Did you know that Baylor University began in 1845? When Rufus Burleson became the President, they separated the men and women students into two different buildings in Independence. When he moved the college in 1886, he connected with Waco University, which has been renamed Baylor. The young women relocated to a school in Belton.
Not much of the college is evident anymore but make time for the Walk of History in Baylor University State Park. Although the school moved, documents on the walk provide the story which encourages you to imagine fields of cotton while the executives built new lives for the community.
Sam Houston lived there. Exquisitely restored mansions in the little town will remind you of “Gone with the Wind.”
During my Walk of History, I stopped to gaze at the gorgeous blue sky and puffy, white clouds. I heard sounds from beneath a rather big rock. A momma cat and babies. Would they live? Made me very aware of the surroundings.
Cotton Pickers from Long Ago
How did the cotton pickers survive 100 or more years ago in this same area? The Walk on the Hill makes the story worthwhile. I found it pulling at my heart with its lesson in survival. I could imagine the fields of cotton and gentle breezes. And I hope those kittens survived.
The Baptist Church in Independence played a significant role. Sam Houston was baptized in 1854. This small building contains a museum, too.
Independence Food Center
I loved the General Store with gas pumps for your car and almost everything you could want inside for sustenance. Still thirsty after the Walk, I found A&W Root Beer in the cooler. I hadn’t seen that in a long time.
This small town is located on FM50 and TX-105.
Main Street in Chappell Hill, Texas
Have you heard about the Official State of Texas Bluebonnet Festival? Note the title. There may be other Bluebonnet Festivals, but this is the official one, just 15 minutes east of Brenham, located on the north side of Highway 290. The traffic on festival days in April is overwhelming. With 250 juried exhibitors, you can choose your favorite pastime. Is it music, food, art, and antiques galore? The town grows from approximately 2,000 to maybe 100,000 during the festival, I suspect. The town festivities return with the Scarecrow Festival on October 11 and 12.
Busy Shops
I was amazed at the various small businesses on Main Street. Texas can be proud of this small town, which is not incorporated. Just a few examples: The Bluebonnet House and Garden with plants and a clothing store with handmade items. Do you need a cowboy hat? Ranchers Hat Store sells true cowboy hats. Plus, don’t forget Chupacabra Leather company.
Food Choices
We ate lunch on the patio of the Grapevine on Main restaurant. It was delicious, plus the breeze helped. Another well-known restaurant, which was closed temporarily, is called Bevers. Other smaller venues exist.
Chappell Hill Historical Society Museum
The town’s museum is located on Church Street in a former school. With many rooms full of history, I regret the Tour Guide was unavailable the day I visited. Donations are appreciated.
Caporina Art Gallery
I spent more time than I should at the Visitors’ Center, which also houses local artist Anthony Caporina’s paintings in the Caporina Art Gallery. Be sure to meet Tony and his wife. They are open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. His paintings for sale can be found on the Portfolio pages of his website.
Nearby Chappell Hill Lavender Farm is a popular place with its fresh lavender products and gift suggestions. It is only open from Thursday to Sunday, March through November.
Another nearby historic site is currently closed for renovations. Washington-on-the-Brazos. Y’all need to start plannin’ for another place to visit when you have time for another vacation, not just a short drive.