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History in
a Pecan Shell
Hamilton and Hamilton
County's history is studded with anecdotes and characters worthy
of several books. Many of the first settlers relocated from Southern
States -(particularly South Carolina and Mississippi) before the Civil
War.
Both county and town were named after James Hamilton who was
a former Governor of South Carolina. After moving to Texas
he became part of Texas' fledgling diplomatic corps. In 1857 he drowned
off the coast of Galveston
during a maritime accident after first giving his life-vest to a woman
and child.
This spirit of selflessness is also reflected in local 19th Century
heroine Anne Whitney
- a schoolteacher who died protecting her charges when Comanches attacked
her one-room schoolhouse.
A timeline
of significant events in Hamilton's history:
1858: County
organized
1861: post office opened
1896: Population reaches 1,100
1899: Hamilton is flooded. Wide spread destruction - slight loss of
life
1907: The Stephenville, North and South Texas Railway entered Hamilton
1954: another flood causes greater damage than the first
1980: population reaches high water mark of 3,189 |
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Hamilton, Texas
Landmarks / Attractions
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| Photo
courtesy Kate Johnson |
Hamilton, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Hamilton
My Grandpa was Luther Coldiron. He had a hamburger place there in
Hamilton in the 1930s. He also had some rock tourist courts on Coke
Street. I was only three or four years old but I remember how hot
it was then. We lived in one of his cabins, I remember it had a
cement floor. He made the best burgers in town. His wife was named
Jessie and he died before she did. I remember the rock, sand and
rattlesnakes. Someone there may remember him. - Vonnie Balusek,
February 23, 2006
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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