Vacationers seeking a firsthand look at rural life will find it in the historic town of Burton, Texas. The town is in Washington County, midway between Austin and Houston and just north of Highway 290. With a population of less than 400, Burton offers an escape from the hectic pace of the big city. Despite its small size, Burton features cozy accommodations, dining options, a museum and several historic buildings dating back to the 19th century.
Knittel Homestead Inn is a bed and breakfast on Main Street. The property consists of a pair of restored historic homes that together resemble a landlocked steamboat. The property is furnished with antiques and it has six individually decorated guestrooms. The inn serves a hot, three-course breakfast daily. Rocking chairs located on the wraparound porch and balcony offer a place to relax.
The Inn at Indian Creek is less than three miles south of town. This property offers privacy with a pair of freestanding guesthouses, each with a full kitchen and bathroom. The Tepee is ideal for a romantic getaway. The one-bedroom limestone cottage has 600 square feet of space and it is decorated in a Southwestern motif. The Wigwam Guesthouse, with 830 square feet, has two bedrooms and enough space for a small family to spread out.
Brazos Belle Restaurant is on Main Street and is housed in a restored building that served as the town's first post office. The eatery offers a seasonal menu of Country-French cuisine and a modest wine menu with selections from France, Napa Valley and Oregon.
The Pig and Whistle Pub is on West Washington Street. This small tavern serves light fare in addition to a wide variety of international beers, cider, ales and wines produced by local and international vineyards. Private conversation nooks and a Baldwin piano add to the charm of this intimate setting.
The Burton Farmers Gin is the main attraction in Burton. Recognized as the oldest operating cotton gin in the country, the equipment and company records housed in the museum date back to 1913. Daily tours offer guests a glimpse into the methods used to process cotton. The vintage machine is pressed into service to gin and bale cotton each spring during the annual Cotton Gin Festival.
The chamber of commerce on Main Street provides walking guides for visitors interested in seeing the historic buildings around town. The Steiner & Dallmeyer Building was built in 1875 and it housed a mercantile shop for more than five decades. It is the oldest structure and sits on the corner of Main and Washington Streets. The Otto Wehring Shoe Shop is located next to the gin and first opened for business in 1923. Visitors can tour the cobbler shop and view the antique tools of the trade housed there.
