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Site of the first
Hardin County courthouse in "Old" Hardin
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December, 2007 |
History
in a Pinecone
Hardin County came into existence in 1858 and what
better name could one choose than Hardin, Texas? By 1860, the community
had a post office but growth was slow.
Even as late as 1878, the courthouse was only one of several buildings
and the population was a mere 150 souls. It suffered the fate of so
many towns in Texas when it was bypassed (by only two miles) by the
Sabine and East Texas Railroad in the early 1880s.
Hardin managed to defeat Hardin Countians who wanted to move the seat
of government to the railroad town of Kountze
in 1884, but a fire in 1886 destroyed the courthouse, making the move
a necessity.
By 1900 the number of residents numbered just over 100 and the post
office closed its doors in 1903.
Historical Marker:
"OLD"
HARDIN
Founded 1859 as
first county seat of Hardin
County, created in 1858. Prospered until bypassed by Sabine &
East Texas Railroad in 1881. A fire of suspicious origin razed the
Courthouse here on Aug. 8, 1886. In an 1887 election, Kountze,
on the railroad, was named the county seat. |
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Historical marker
at the site of the first Hardin County seat
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December, 2007 |
Hardin
County 1907 postal map
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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