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History in
a Pecan Shell
Hortence
dates from 1857 when the Aaron Feagin family moved here. Feagin opened
a store here on Bear Creek and for a time the settlement was called
Bear Creek.
Although many Texas post offices were extentions of general stores,
grew from stores, Bear Creek had to wait until 1891 when local landowner
John Handley applied for one, naming it after his daughter.
In 1900 the population of Hortense peaked with 346 residents but for
reasons unknown or unreported, it fell to only 25 by 1925. The 1990
census used the same exact number. If true, the population may have
set a state record for zero population growth. The 2000 census was
given as twenty. |
Polk
County 1907 Postal Map showing Hortense
NE of Livingston
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 recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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