History

On December 26th, 1902 Fred W. Martin (President of Brenham Gun and Rod Company) and H. Harrison (Secretary) signed as acting representatives of the then "Corporation" to purchase 18.1 acres of land from Mr. Watson, which today is known as the Brenham Gun and Rod Club. The landscape consisted of a diversity of fruit trees and other native species planted by the Watson Family. The property consisted of numerous lakes and the original hand-dug artesian water well, which supplies the western most lake with water. The club built a wooden-sided swimming pool below the lake, which still bears evidence of the wooden long-leaf pine sides today on the property. 

The property is rich with history as it supported the water supply for a cotton gin and a narrow gauge rail-lines that date back to the Civil War. The property was also used for tree progeny tests and research, and include Wisteia planted by William Watson around the 1870's. These plants are currently located on the island at the great Watson Lake.