The Farm on Independence Trail B & B in Brenham, TX

The Farm on Independence Trail B & B

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Your Host(s): Dolores Phelps
Location: Brenham, TX
Rooms: 4
Nightly Rates: $125 to $150

Description: Independence Trail Bed and Breakfast began in 1970 when my mother, Marie Phelps McAshan and I purchased this 100-acre farm on FM 390 the "LaBahia Trail". While my wife, Dolores and I lived in New York City, mother initiated the first of three "move-ins" of historic structures. Marie and my father came up from Houston on week ends and lived in a railroad caboose while work was done for the restoration of the first structure, a railroad depot that they purchased from the Southern Pacific Railroad, in Lyons, Texas, about 40 miles away.

As a founder and first president of the Harris County Heritage and Conservation Society in Houston, Marie was keenly aware of and in love with restoration of Texas history. In addition she was a founder and first vice chairman of the board of St. John's School in Houston and wrote a weekly column for the Houston Post. She is the author of A Houston Legacy which was published in 1985. She was also the co-founder of the Independence Historical Society.

The Farm at Independence Trail is an architectural icon of Texas history. The beaded board depot waiting room with its 14-foot ceilings and 7 paned windows became the living room with a new fireplace. On the other end of the of the depot, the baggage room became the dining room, which has now been renovated into The Victorian Suite, a huge bedroom with a canopy bed, two twin beds and a seating area. The ticket window is now a dining alcove in the large country kitchen and is a perfect breakfast spot that looks out to the front patio surrounded by rose bushes and with a view of the lake.

After the depot was finished Marie moved an early Texas farmhouse (circa 1880) to the Farm, which was used as an antique shop for a few years. Once Dolores and I moved back to Texas from New York in 1977, we restored the farmhouse as our residence. The third building on the Farm is a small antique guest house, which was moved to the Farm from nearby Independence and is sited deep in a wooded glade. We hope the beautifully crafted surroundings of the boxwood gardens, three patios, the flower gardens and swimming pool and contribute to your enjoyment during your stay.

Here is an opportunity to experience one of the largest and most gracious antique homes available in the Bed and Breakfast community. This 100-acre farm is located near Independence, Texas on Scenic FM 390 "La Bahia Trail." Historic Independence is only 15 minutes from Brenham and Chappell Hill, 20 minutes from Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park, and 30 minutes from Round Top and College Station…so guests are right in the middle of all the activities in a truly scenic and historic area."

Other Amenities: * A luscious pool offers a cooling dip after a day of sightseeing.
* A large living room (16' x 30') with long leaf pine floors, bead board walls and a wood burning fireplace.
* A large country kitchen fully stocked with everything to prepare a full breakfast.
* Views of boxwood gardens, a wisteria arbor & several patios.