Historical building collection
includes Sam Houston hideaway
By Brad Meyer
Conroe (TX) Courier
December 2, 2008
Historians and educators are wrestling with the
challenge of preserving a collection of historical
buildings – including a hunting lodge used by Sam
Houston – in a secluded area of Montgomery
County. Fernland, the 40-acre parcel of land
donated to Sam Houston State University in 2002,
is important to scholars and state historians
because it features five historical buildings dating
back to the 1820s.
“It’s a secluded site without modern conveniences
like water, power and sewer,” said Dr. Patrick
Nolan, director of the Sam Houston Museum in
Huntsville. “Making it available to the public is a
challenge.”
includes Sam Houston hideaway
By Brad Meyer
Conroe (TX) Courier
December 2, 2008
Historians and educators are wrestling with the
challenge of preserving a collection of historical
buildings – including a hunting lodge used by Sam
Houston – in a secluded area of Montgomery
County. Fernland, the 40-acre parcel of land
donated to Sam Houston State University in 2002,
is important to scholars and state historians
because it features five historical buildings dating
back to the 1820s.
“It’s a secluded site without modern conveniences
like water, power and sewer,” said Dr. Patrick
Nolan, director of the Sam Houston Museum in
Huntsville. “Making it available to the public is a
challenge.”
| Photos by Terry Williams 03/17/2009 |
Carroll and May Tharp acquired the first of five historic buildings from Montgomery and Walker Counties in 1974,
painstakingly dismantling the structures and moving them to Fernland. Over the years, the buildings were restored to
their original condition.
“His (Carroll Tharp) original idea was to use the old buildings for storage,” Nolan said. “In time, Tharp, an architect by
trade, realized they were far more valuable as early examples of Texas architecture.”
The most famous structure on the site is Bear Bend, a hunting lodge used by Sam Houston, first president of the
Republic of Texas. The two-story, log dog-run building, the largest on the property, was moved from land where Lake
Conroe was created and later restored by Tharp.
The buildings, among the oldest confirmed structures in Texas, have been restored and enhanced with period antiques
and artifacts dating to their original period of construction.
While the site is available for tour with prior arrangement, SHSU officials are reluctant to encourage tourism, citing
security issues and a lack of modern conveniences. The rustic site has been used by filmmakers as a set for western
movies, but Nolan noted future cinematic adventures may not be likely.
“There’s a lot of history there and it’s almost entirely made of wood,” he said. “An accidental fire or other mishap would
be disastrous.”
University representatives and area historical groups are in discussions regarding a possible way for the grounds to be
made more accessible to the public. While officials are concerned about releasing information about Fernland’s location,
they are eager to inform the public about the site.
“We’re offering educational talks and presentations about the site and the buildings located there,” said David Martin of
the Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. “It’s an interesting site, rich with Texas history.”
Martin and other members of the group are available to make presentations to area clubs and organizations. For
information, visit www.lonestarsrt.org or call him at (281) 467-8146.
While SHSU officials have not determined how best to manage the Fernland location in the future, tours of the site can
be arranged for groups and organizations. Nolan recommends group leaders contact him at (936) 294-1832 for
information.
“It’s an important historical site that needs to be accessible by the public,” he said. “We just have to figure out a way to
protect it for future generations.”
painstakingly dismantling the structures and moving them to Fernland. Over the years, the buildings were restored to
their original condition.
“His (Carroll Tharp) original idea was to use the old buildings for storage,” Nolan said. “In time, Tharp, an architect by
trade, realized they were far more valuable as early examples of Texas architecture.”
The most famous structure on the site is Bear Bend, a hunting lodge used by Sam Houston, first president of the
Republic of Texas. The two-story, log dog-run building, the largest on the property, was moved from land where Lake
Conroe was created and later restored by Tharp.
The buildings, among the oldest confirmed structures in Texas, have been restored and enhanced with period antiques
and artifacts dating to their original period of construction.
While the site is available for tour with prior arrangement, SHSU officials are reluctant to encourage tourism, citing
security issues and a lack of modern conveniences. The rustic site has been used by filmmakers as a set for western
movies, but Nolan noted future cinematic adventures may not be likely.
“There’s a lot of history there and it’s almost entirely made of wood,” he said. “An accidental fire or other mishap would
be disastrous.”
University representatives and area historical groups are in discussions regarding a possible way for the grounds to be
made more accessible to the public. While officials are concerned about releasing information about Fernland’s location,
they are eager to inform the public about the site.
“We’re offering educational talks and presentations about the site and the buildings located there,” said David Martin of
the Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. “It’s an interesting site, rich with Texas history.”
Martin and other members of the group are available to make presentations to area clubs and organizations. For
information, visit www.lonestarsrt.org or call him at (281) 467-8146.
While SHSU officials have not determined how best to manage the Fernland location in the future, tours of the site can
be arranged for groups and organizations. Nolan recommends group leaders contact him at (936) 294-1832 for
information.
“It’s an important historical site that needs to be accessible by the public,” he said. “We just have to figure out a way to
protect it for future generations.”
| Fernland is located in south-central Montgomery County approximately 10 miles from Conroe. There are no signs directing visitors to the site and it is not open to the public |
