The Ant Street Inn in Brenham has turned a 96-year-old mercantile building into
one of the most luxurious accommodations between Houston and Austin, perfect
for a romantic getaway or a relaxing holiday.
The red brick, two-story Renaissance Revival building looks deceptively plain
from the outside. Built in 1899 to house a wholesale dry goods and grocery
business, the building was an early shopping mall for much of its early years.
Store fronts occupied the lower floor and the second floor was partitioned into
offices.
“The building made a better hotel than if it had been built as a hotel,” said
Tommy Traylor. Tommy and his wife, Pam, bought the building in 1981 and spent
three years renovating.
The Traylors had to strip the building down to the bare walls, floors, and
shell before they could begin renovations that included all-new electrical
wiring, a special heating and air conditioning unit, and hundreds of
antiques.
Tommy admitted that shopping for the antiques to furnish the inn was probably
the most fun aspect of the project. Natives of Houston, he and Pam bought a
small farm between Bellville and Brenham 20 years ago. They have made a career
of buying and renovating old buildings in small towns to use as rental
property.
The Traylors added all of the decorations from wood trim to stain glass. Most
of the antiques came from New England and New Orleans. “You find very few good
antiques in Texas,” Tommy said, “because in the 1800s, instead of fine
furniture, Texans were more likely to be sitting on an empty Winchester
cartridge box.”
Pam chose the theme of Southern cities for the 14 rooms. The New Orleans room
has a canopied and draped queen-sized bed surrounded by French Quarter
furniture and artwork. The Memphis room includes the building’s original
freight elevator and some of the Traylors’ most unusual finds.
Owing to their original use as offices, each of the guest rooms is larger than
what you might expect in a historic inn. They tried to create an upscale inn
that would cater to the visitors of Brenham’s attractions like the Blue Bell
Creamery, miniature horse ranch, and wildflowers.
They also wanted the inn to be attractive to the traveling businessman. Each
room is equipped with cable TV, telephones, data ports, and individual climate
controls. Special attention was given to the bathrooms in each room to make
them comfortable. Many of the rooms have oversized tubs and two sinks.
Room rates range from $85 to $125 and include a full breakfast prepared under
the guidance of Pam Traylor. For more information, call 800/481-1951.
Coming up this weekend…
Hug-in at Luckenbach reunites chili-heads and chili lovers for a day of music,
dancing, and games, Feb. 15. 210/997-3224.
Everybody must get stoned at the Gem & Mineral Show in Georgetown at San
Gabriel Park, Feb. 15. 512/303-0351.
Asian Lunar New Year is celebrated at the San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W.
Jones, Feb. 16. 210/978-8100.
River expert Tom Goynes presents a slide show on the Rio Grande, Feb. 20 as
free seminars continue, 7pm at REI. 343-5550.
Coming up…
Springtime in Washington County is not too far off. The locals publish a great
visitor guide complete with a scenic trail map.
888/BRE-NHAM or
http://www.brenhamtx.org.
Calls for entries have gone out from Messina Hof Wine Cellars Annual Artist
Competition to select the painting on this year’s label. Deadline is Mar. 22.
409/778-9463.
Flyfishing Seminar at Colorado Bend State Park, Feb. 22. 915/628-3240.
Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo celebrating their centennial this
year. Feb. 21-23. 210/722-9895.
Day Trips, Vol.1, a book of the first 100 day trips from this
column, updated and expanded, is available for $6.95, plus $3.05 for shipping
and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, 1712 E. Riverside Dr., Box 156, Austin, TX
78741.
This article appears in February 14 • 1997 and February 14 • 1997 (Cover).
