|
|
ANDERSON, TEXASGrimes County
Seat, Central Texas South
Highway 105 and Hwy 6
25 miles S of College
Station
10 miles E of Navasota
34 miles W of Huntsville
Population: 325 (2000)
|
Entering
Anderson
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2002 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally named Fanthorp - the name of the town was changed
after Kenneth Anderson, the last vice-president of Texas, who died
there in 1845.
Anderson is an anomaly - a county seat with a small population just
a few miles from the largest town in the county. Although the population
never exceeded 500 persons, it managed to retain its status as county
seat. Navasota
got the railroad. In the 19th Century - getting the railroad meant
the difference between guaranteed prosperity and a slow economic death.
The distance between the towns is a mere ten miles.
The
Grimes County Courthouse defies convention as well - its unusual
architecture makes it one of the most visual pleasing courthouses
in the state. ... more |
|
|
Anderson
street scene
TE photo |
|
|
Anderson architectural detail showing date of the Wickey Building
"1929"
TE photo |
Anderson
Today
Marcus Mallard,
once mayor of Navasota and current Grimes County Commissioner runs
a proper antique store a stone's throw from the courthouse. If there's
something about Grimes County history he doesn't know - then it's
not worth knowing. Mr. Mallard also has one of the best personal photo
collections in Grimes County and a sizable collection of Edsels.
Fanthorp
Inn State Historic Site
A
Frontier Inn by Bob Bowman (From "All Things Historical"
Column) |
|
|
