The Harris-Martin House

06/12/2024

Our beautiful new porch has been installed! Huge thanks to our contractor Kevin Wesley & his team for their work.

Although some of the original hand-hewn 6x6 cedar beams were still holding up, the modern untreated pine supports and decking had to all be replaced.

Next step is to choose a pleasant gray color for the paint.

06/05/2024

“Pardon our dust as this attraction is improved for your future enjoyment.” — Walt Disney

We are in the process of rebuilding the front porch. All current reservations will be honored.

Here’s to another 187 years of cold glasses of lemonade, rocking chairs, porch swings, and good conversation!

05/03/2024

Ok we can use your help! Today is the *last day* for voting for Brazos Valley’s A-List. We would love to have your final votes. ❤️

https://insitebrazosvalley.com/a-list https://insitebrazosvalley.secondstreetapp.com/og/0d381983-0ec1-433a-a1ca-78a454255acb/gallery/426277115

04/15/2024

With a 187 year-old home, we’ve worked hard to make it comfortable with modern conveniences without stripping the historic soul from The Harris-Martin.

We’ll be posting regularly to show why our guests love staying with us.

We would love your vote for Best Bed & Breakfast in the Brazos Valley! You can vote for us every day even if you have voted before.

https://insitebrazosvalley.com/a-list https://insitebrazosvalley.secondstreetapp.com/og/0d381983-0ec1-433a-a1ca-78a454255acb/gallery/426277115

04/11/2024

When we first moved to Texas in the ‘90s I remember someone telling me that Texas skies look like a pair of well-worn blue jeans. Since then I’ve called days like today Blue Jean Days.

May you also be enjoying a Blue Jean Day wherever you may be today!

And in the meantime would you mind voting for The Harris-Martin House in the Insite Brazos Valley A-List contest? 😎 Thank you!

https://insitebrazosvalley.com/a-list https://insitebrazosvalley.secondstreetapp.com/og/0d381983-0ec1-433a-a1ca-78a454255acb/gallery/426277115

04/08/2024

We are pleased to announce that The Harris-Martin House has advanced to the final round as “Best Bed & Breakfast” in the Brazos Valley!

Daily votes are tallied in the Insite A-List contest so we would appreciate your votes as often as you can provide it through May 3rd.

Many thanks!

https://insitebrazosvalley.com/a-list #//

03/07/2024

The Harris-Martin House is honored to be in the running for 'Best Bed & Breakfast' in the Brazos Valley!

To further advance, we need your help by submitting daily nominations via this link: https://insitebrazosvalley.com/a-list #/gallery?group=464551

Look for 'Professional Services: Best Bed & Breakfast: The Harris-Martin House.' We appreciate your assistance!

02/26/2024

Hello fans! We would be greatly honored if you would take a hot second and nominate The Harris-Martin House as “Favorite Bed & Breakfast” in the Professional Services category!

Thank you!

Today is the day — nominations for Insite's third annual A-List are NOW OPEN!

Nominate your favorite businesses daily as they battle it out to be crowned the 2024 winner — remember to come back often as only the top 10 businesses in each category will move onto the voting round.

Nominate now: https://insitebrazosvalley.com/a-list

02/25/2024

It’s a gorgeous night in Anderson, Texas. That full moon is just glowing on the slopes down from the main house.

02/17/2024

The OG builder of The Harris-Martin House was pretty dialed in to the movers and shakers of this new town in Colonial Texas!

Henry Fanthorp was the pivotal pioneer in the hills where Anderson now sits. Having John Harris there as a witness speaks to his role in local Society at the time.

Next Saturday from 10am - 4pm we'll be visiting our friends at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site to commemorate Henry and Rachel's 190th wedding anniversary. Guests can fill out and sign colonial Texas wedding licenses and attend wedding reenactments at 11am and 3pm.

Neighborly Connection

One of the witnesses to Henry and Rachel's nuptials was John Birdsall Harris. He was the son of John Richardson Harris the founder of Harrisburg and Harris County. John B Harris would go on to build a home on Fanthorp St in Anderson in the late 1830s and live there with his wife Virginia Goodrich, daughter of Texas Declaration signer Dr. BB Goodrich. The Harris-Martin House has now been painstakingly restored and is now available as a vacation rental.

01/01/2024

As we turn down the lights on 2023, we are grateful for the record number of guests we had the pleasure of hosting this year!

We are excited to expand our hospitality mission next year to meet the needs of the growing number of visitors to Grimes County & The Brazos Valley!

We look forward to serving you again in 2024! Happy New Year!

12/07/2023

Anderson carries with it a history of hospitality. From the Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site to the The Hotel LaPrelle (described here in this ad from the 1850s) providing top-notch care to guests has always been a priority!

We laid out quite the fare for our guests this weekend! 🥰 In town for a party, their party host left some fabulous goodies for them.

12/03/2023

We’ve had our share of legendary Texans walk through these doors. Texas Revolutionaries, Sam Houston, a Houston Texan, and the amazing musical talent you see here. Thanks Charlie Diggs for bringing them!

Thanks Payton Howie, Payton Riley, and Hannah Abraham for bringing the gift of music to the streets of Anderson!

11/05/2023

Hospitality has always had a footprint in Anderson! Also, look closely at the property to the right of the courthouse. You can see where John Harris used to have a dry goods store!

Congratulations to our neighbors Winking Stars Sparkling Wines on their grand opening today!

The Winking Stars Cellar in Anderson is hosting their grand opening today! Did you know that hospitality is no stranger to that part of Main St? According to Abel Beardsley's map of Anderson from 1850, where the wine cellar now stands there used to be a beer hall.

We'll be providing a historical holiday atmosphere to the cellar on the Saturday after Thanksgiving with our Twilight - Tavern Night program! More details coming soon!

10/25/2023

Crisp new flags flying in the breeze! Long may they wave.

10/21/2023

We’re the building location for The World’s Largest Lego Set Without Instructions! 🤣🤣

This beautiful Victorian gazebo (shown below when it was in one piece in Round Top, Texas) is being carefully reconstructed by Matt Husfeld!

We’re excited to be the next stewards of this beautiful piece.

09/23/2023

We’re hosting a House Divided Weekend and couldn’t resist an opportunity to glam up the rivalry.

We’re just one big SEC Family…until kickoff!! 🤣

05/13/2023

Our recent guest took this shot of the doorknob for the backdoor. I had forgotten how beautiful this old doorknob is.

With all the renovations and work I’ve done in the house, I must have grabbed this doorknob 500 times. Somewhere along the way it became something very commonplace.

I am grateful for the chance to see our place through the eyes of our guests! 😍

04/05/2023

There is a 90 year-old mimosa tree out front planted by a civic society in the 1930s.

In an uncanny coincidence there are brand new Mimozas available for purchase this Friday and Saturday at Mimoza Easter Pick-Up Event in The Parlor!!

04/03/2023

We’re honored to be featured in the stagecoach tour by our friends at The Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site!!

Saturday April 8 from 11am-3pm, join us for a special Stagecoach Saturday as an interpreter joins you along a modified route around Anderson.

The Harris-Martin House

As part of our tour we will be coming up Fanthorp St and will pass right by The Harris-Martin House. This historic home was built in 1837 and added onto in the 1870s. It has been renovated and is now available to rent throughout the year.

03/23/2023

As you get to know our friends and neighbors in Anderson, you’ll hear how deep their family roots run here. Anderson is truly an old brand of Texas! ❤️ 🇨🇱 🤠 🐮

Meet Mary Beth Wesley, owner of Fifty Seven Bloom Co., right in our historic downtown! When you come to stay or make a day trip, her cute shop is a must-see. Be warned. She’s a hugger! 🥰

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth Wesley. Mary Beth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? Welcome to Fifty Seven Bloom Co.! I’m Mary Beth Wesley, owner, and lead designer. I graduated from Texas A&M University in 2018 (WHOO...

03/11/2023

Love this shot of our lovely antique rose? I hope so! Unbeknownst to me, I kneeled on a very testy nest of fire ants to get it for you. 🔥 🐜

03/06/2023

March 6, 1836: The Battle of The Alamo.

The next year, John C. Birdsall would build a small house in Alta Mira, The Republic of Texas.

The Harris-Martin House was built during a historic time of unbridled optimism, opportunity, and hope. As modern day Texan entrepreneurs, we are inspired by the foundation our predecessors built.

03/03/2023

Happy Texas Independence Day!!!

02/15/2023

Happy Valentine’s Day!! You don’t need a holiday to spend time with the one you love. We’re ready to spoil you anytime.

02/11/2023

This was straight up weird. It is nice to see when other people appreciate your place though!

02/05/2023

This weekend The Harris-Martin House has joined forces with Mrs. Ferree Photography and Fifty Seven Bloom Co. for photo shoot mini-sessions.

It was super fun to see couples (and their dogs!) posing on the side porch for Valentine’s Day photos.

Did you miss your chance? How would you feel about a “Christmas in July” session (inside, with air conditioning)? Family photos done well before holidays begin!

01/25/2023

Just when you thought The Harris-Martin House was old…