About

Welcome to Seven Oaks,

Nestled behind a thicket of bamboo and surrounded by majestic oak trees on the high bank of the Brazos River is a Bed and Breakfast like no other in the Brazos Valley.

Once a carriage house built to accommodate guests to the estate, Seven Oaks has been beautifully renovated to provide all the modern conveniences to ensure a comfortable stay while retaining its historic charm.

Both the Main and Guest House have been improved with the addition of modern conveniences such as satellite TV, internet and central heating and A/C.  The Riley family lives in the main house and the guest house is available for bed and breakfast guests.  From a bar and brothel to a bed and breakfast, the estate is appropriately called Seven Oaks Bed and Breakfast.

Conveniently located 15 minutes from Texas A&M University campus and close to the cities of College Station, Bryan, and Caldwell, Seven Oaks offers a relaxing, secluded environment to gather with friends or family of large and small group accommodations.

For major Texas A&M sporting events, such as football games, and other university events, including graduation, parents weekend and Ring Day, Seven Oaks B&B requires a two-night minimum.

In the early 1900’s, the Moorings were a very prominent and successful family in the Brazos Valley. Ward Mooring owned several thousand acres of rich Brazos Bottom farmland, where his family successfully farmed and marketed cotton and other crops. In 1940, Ward Mooring hired the architectural firm of John-Astin-Perkins out of Dallas, Texas and had an estate plan prepared to build a beautiful, lasting home and estate near Highway 21 on the high bank of the Brazos River. Detailed architectural designs were completed for the attractive Mooring House in 1942, including a Carriage House with six bays on the first floor for vehicles and equipment and apartments above for visitors and hired help.
 
After World War II, the Mooring House enjoyed a number of “glory years”, providing an exclusive place to live and entertain the social elite. After Mr. Mooring passed away, modifications were made to the Carriage House to convert the garage bays to an enclosed multi-use area. But the wild times had just begun. Beginning in 1968 and lasting until the mid 70’s, the Mooring House and grounds were used regularly as a brothel, bar and gambling house. Some Bryan residents still remember but rarely discuss the wild “invitation only” gatherings that were regularly held on site. A Bryan resident who worked at the “Castle” as a boy tells of regularly seeing the local sheriff show up just long enough to collect his pay for making sure the parties could continue as a private affair. For a short period of time after serving as a brothel and gambling house, the home was opened as a private bar and restaurant named Seven Oaks and then served again as a residence.
 
After several years of quiet use as a personal residence, the home and property was purchased in 2002 by Jim and Carol Riley. Carol worked for several years in Houston as a master photographer, but now dedicates her time to raising their children and tending to the home. Jim is a 1979 graduate of Texas A&M and works at the University as Director for Utilities. Together, they manage and maintain Seven Oaks Bed & Breakfast – welcoming guests to stay for gatherings, events or private weekend get-a-ways from College Station, Bryan, and Texas A&M University.

Seven Oaks has a Caldwell address, but is located just outside (west) of Bryan and College Station, Texas.

Our physical address is:

Seven Oaks Bed and Breakfast
11636 State Highway 21 East
Caldwell, Texas 77836
979-272-1952

But in case you can’t find us, here are our directions:

  1. From the airport, take TX-60 West one exit to TX-47 North
  2. Take TX-47 North 7 miles to TX-21 West – toward Caldwell
  3. Take TX-21 West 5 miles and go past the Little Brazos River Bridge to the Brazos River Bridge
  4. Turn left IMMEDIATELY after the Brazos River Bridge at the first highway median crossover
  5. Enter Seven Oaks Bed&Breakfast through the white arched gate – Welcome

When you get to the Brazos River bridge… slow down.  It can be easy to miss this hidden destination!