DUANE
Duane's take
The way I tell it, I'm working straight from the official record on this one — so here's what the marker says about Grimes County. Now, you're rolling through country that was old before Texas was Texas. The road you're likely near?
Folks were using a version of it as far back as 1690, when a Spanish explorer by the name of Alonso de Leon came through. Sixteen ninety. Let that sit a moment.
Come 1821, a man named Andrew Millican decided this stretch of land was worth staying in, and he began a settlement. Then along comes Henry Fanthorp, who opened an inn in 1834 and a post office in 1835. Out here on the frontier, an inn and a post office — that's civilization arriving, right there.
But here's where the story takes a turn that only history can manage. A man named Kenneth Anderson, who held the distinction of being the last Vice-President of the Republic of Texas, died at Fanthorp's inn in 1845. He was buried there, in that very ground.
And after his burial, the town that grew up around that spot was named for him. Anderson. Named not for where he was born, not for what he built, but for where he came to rest.
The following year, 1846, the county itself was created and organized. And they named it Grimes — in honor of Jesse Grimes, born 1788, died 1866, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a member of Congress of the Republic of Texas. The county seat?
Anderson, naturally. Then came the Civil War, 1861 to 1865, and Grimes County didn't sit it out. This ground had a gun factory running, furnished troops, sent food and cotton into the cause.
Deep roots, this county. A Spanish road, a frontier inn, a Vice-President's final breath, and a war's worth of sacrifice — all folded into one patch of Texas.
What the marker says
On road used 1690 by Spanish explorer Alonso de Leon. In 1821 Andrew Millican began settlement. Henry Fanthorp opened his inn 1834, a post office 1835. Kenneth Anderson, last Vice-President, Republic of Texas, died at Fanthorp's, 1845. After his burial here town was named for him. County created and organized 1846. Named in honor of Jesse Grimes (1788-1866), a signer of Declaration of Independence and member of Congress, Republic of Texas. Anderson was made the county seat. During Civil War, 1861-1865, had a gun factory, furnished troops, food, cotton.