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A longhorn
on the road to the closed Rock House church NE of Hamilton.
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson,
October 2004 |
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. |
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St.
Mary's Episcopal Church in Hamilton
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson,
August 2005 |
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First
Presbyterian Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson,
December 2005 |
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
Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
Stephenville
Hotels |
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Bullman
Bridge
> next page
One of
the few remaining bowstring bridges in Texas
Photos
courtesy Jim & Lou Kinsey |
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Bridge over Bear Creek Hamilton County Road 103 |
| "After
much research and driving we found the bridge that was moved from
Pottsville in 1953.
The Bridge is over Bear Creek NW of Hamilton on Hamilton County Road
103." - Jim and Lou Kinsey, June 25, 2003 |
More Hamilton
Attractions
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Hamilton
County Museum:
In the old jail at 113 Henry Street
The Hamilton
County Genealogical Society Library:
209 W. Henry Street
Pecan Creek
Park:
A deep-shaded park conveniently located between downtown and the
library
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Hamilton
Tourist Information
Hamilton Chamber
of Commerce: 204 E. Main - 254-386-3216
Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
Gatesville
Hotels
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The
Hamilton post office mural depicts Texas rangers
TE photo |
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Hamilton
water tower
Photo courtesy Jim & Lou Kinsey |
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
© John Troesser
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