BRENHAM

Population 12,445

Altitude 350

General

This county seat is situated in the east central part of Washington County on a part of the league of land granted to a settler under colonization laws of Coahuila and Texas. Its pronounced German population began settling here in the 1860s. Home of Blinn College, Texas' first county wide junior college, founded in 1883.

An antique carousel, only one of 12 in Texas, is the only example of a C.W. Parker Carousel with Hershell-Spillman horses; manufactured prior to 1910; in Firemen's Park. Visitors can view the beautiful carnival ride at any time. Group tours, which includes a ride on the carousel, may be arranged by calling 409-836-7911.

Brenham lies on Texas 36, a segment of the Ports to Plains Highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports.

Brenham lies along the Texas Pioneer Trail covering four-county area. For additional information and map, contact the local chamber of commerce.

BLUE BELL CREAMERIES

BURTON FARMERS GIN

ELLISON'S GREENHOUSES

MONASTERY OF ST. CLARE MINIATURE HORSE FARM

TEXAS BASEBALL HALL OF FAME MUSEUM

Attractions

• BLUE BELL CREAMERIES - "The little creamery in Brenham," founded in 1907 as Brenham Creamery Co.; name change to Blue Bell in 1930 for wild flower that grows in the area. With ice cream production of two gallons a day in 1911, the popular creamery is now home of who many believe is the ultimate ice cream in the United States. In 1981, Time magazine devoted a major article to the best premium ice creams their enthusiastic researchers could find. After seven pages of waxing eloquent about luscious, delectable varieties, the feature concluded: Forget all this, and resolve the next time you are in Texas to obtain the best ice cream in the world, which is mad by Blue Bell Creameries in Washington County..." Judge for yourself on free tours at the plant that now produces 20 million gallons per year. Tours are year round Mon. - Fri. usually at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; groups of 15 or more need reservations. (All tours by reservation only n March and April.) Blue Bell Country Store is open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed major holidays. 1-800-327-8135. Two miles southeast of downtown on South Horton Street (F.M. 577). Admission.
• BURTON FARMERS GIN - National Historic Landmark built in 1915 and powered by 1925 Bessemer twin type IV oil engine. Rare working reminder of era when cotton reigned supreme in Brazos Valley. Guided tours; 12 miles west of Brenham on J.S. 290. 409-289-3418 or 289-3402.
• ELLISON'S GREENHOUSES - Only commercial wholesale greenhouse operation in the state that allows public to tour its working operations. Five acres of greenhouses produce year-round crops of foliage, mums, gloxinias, African violets. Seasonally, half-acre greenhouses are filed with poinsettias, tulips, Easter lilies, and hydrangeas. Poinsettia Celebration on Thanksgiving weekend. Gift shop and tourism center at 1808 South Horton; open Monday - Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 409-836-0084. Greenhouse entrance at 2107 East Stone Street; 409-836-6011. Tours Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission is charged.
• MONASTERY OF ST. CLARE MINIATURE HORSE FARM - Home to group of Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns who support themselves by raising miniature horses and by selling handmade ceramics and other crafts in The Art Barn gift shop. Open daily, 2 to 4 p.m. except Holy Week and Christmas; nine miles northeast on Texas 105. 409-836-9652.
• TEXAS BASEBALL HALL OF FAME MUSEUM - More than 450 pieces of memorabilia, including baseball signed by 1938 New York Yankees, life-size wax figure of Nolan Ryan, and Mickey Mantle's 515th home run ball. Hall of Fame Gift Shop with T-shirts, baseballs, caps, trading cards, and other baseball souvenirs. Open daily from 1 to 4 p.m. on Blinn College campus. Admission is charged 409-830-4137.

Back to Main | Advertiser's Index | City Index