There were wildflowers as we walked the paths. There is a field where they were supposed to be beautiful but the ranger told some other people that it was really muddy on the trail leading out to them so we had to pass.
While the battle at the Alamo was being fought, delegates from all over Texas made their way to Washington-on-the-Brazos for the March 1836 Convention. At great personal risk to themselves and their families, they signed the declaration creating the Republic of Texas. Today all the buildings except Independence Hall are gone but you can see pillars where other buildings stood and there are numerous displays telling about this small town that birthed the Republic.
This is Independence Hall. It is all set up inside just like it would have been when the delegates met to debate whether they should continue under Mexican rule or vote for a new nation. It was nothing fancy and this was a pretty small town.
This native pecan tree was alive back when the Republic of Texas was born! Every day the rangers harvest the pecans and start them as new pecan trees. How neat is that??
Andrew Robinson was a pretty big man in town. He owned and operated the ferry as well as several other buildings in town.
This is the bluff overlooking the original ferry landing.
Back in the main building, there is a lot of information about this historic site and it's wise to look at it all before you follow the paths around the town. There is also a ranger led tour but it was a little later and we didn't want to take a chance on being rained out. They also have a nice gift shop.
Our next stop was the Star of the Republic Museum right there on the grounds. This is a two story museum with lots to see including a movie. There is a charge for the museum as it is not run by the park but it is worth the admission price.
There is also a living history farm which is also interesting. I have been there before but we passed on it today because of the threatening rain and the rain we had earlier.
Next stop, lunch in Navasota at Martha's Bloomers . It's a Garden Shop and Tea Room.
This interesting plant was out front and it wasn't grapes.
The Tea Room is fantastic! The staff is great ushering you to tables with white linen cloths and napkins. Then they bring you demitasse cups of Orange Spice Tea and samples of scones while you look at the menu. The food was both delicious and reasonable. Some of us had quiche and tomato bisque soup. Others had a sampler salad that was beautiful and huge. We were all too full for dessert.
We strolled around the garden shop. Several of us had to buy some of the house Orange Spice Tea.
Later on back at the RV park, we all enjoyed Happy Hour in the Rally Room and snacked on some of the leftovers from the potluck for dinner.
We plan to be at Washington-on-the-Brazos next Monday. Looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe plant that looks like a grape, but isn't a grape, looks like Oregon grape which is different from the grapes you eat. You can look it up for more info. We had them all over the place in Oregon.
You ladies have marvelous priorities, history and food. Agree with Susan, the grapey looking plant is Oregon Grape, also known as Mahoney or Barberry. The fruit is edible although a little tart.
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