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	Formerly a private Residence     Texana Lodge For reservations call 979-968-3495 ext: 200k		Texana Lodge History Formerly a private residence whose history and beauty were accessible only by the owner’s invitation, Texana is now available for public use.  It all began in 1831, when Nathaniel Townsend received a land grant in the Austin 2 Colony (later Fayette County) from the Government of Mexico.  The land was given for Townsend’s willingness to settle in Texas.  Nathaniel Townsend was a New York native and merchant who operated several stores throughout Texas.  In 1837, he was appointed by President Sam Houston to the Office of Republic of Texas Consul, based in New Orleans. The house was built by James Stephens, whom Townsend contracted in the 1830s.  As part of the land grant, Townsend was required to build a house and make other improvements to the land.  Stephens was paid in land from part of the original grant. The house was completed in approximately 1837 and was sold by Townsend in 1842.  After a succession of several owners, German immigrant Heinrich Bremer purchased the home in 1905.  It remained in Bremer hands until 1961, making that family the longest owners to date.  The home went through several other owners from 1961 until 1974, when Mr. & Mrs. French Lawson purchased it and began a decade-long journey of meticulous restoration.  Today it is owned by Texana Lodge’s founder and proprietor, Mark Harkider.  While adhering to the strictest standards of historic preservation, Mark has added several modern amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible.  In 1990, the Texas Historical Commission placed an official marker on the home, making it a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and adding to its rich history.