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History
in a Pecan ShellW.
C. Crawford built Fort Crawford (one mile west of present-day Hallsville)
here in 1839 to protect against Indians. Ten years later the community was granted
a post office which joined a church, school and Masonic Lodge – all of which were
nestled in a single two-story building.
Four years after the Civil War
ended, the Southern Pacific Railway bypassed Ft. Crawford by a single mile – resulting
in both a move and a name change.
The new name of Hallville came
from a railroad officer whose complete name has been forgotten. A cemetery remains
at the old site – the only proof remaining that Ft. Crawford was there.
With
the new post office in place, the community opened the first enterprise not connected
to the government: a saloon. The town enjoyed the benefits of being the railroad’s
terminus (and railroad repair shops) for about three years.
Hallville’s
growth was the envy of East Texas.
It supported an estimated 50 businesses In the early 1870s.
The Texas and
Pacific Railroad arrived in 1872, buying out the Southern Pacific and completed
installing track to Longview.
The community lost much of its population to Marshall
in 1873 when the railroad
relocated their shops and offices to Marshall.
The
1884 population was nearly 600 residents, served by six (!) grist mills, a school,
two saloons and a hotel.
Eight years later, the population had fallen
to 300 but rebounded to 600 in the early 1900s. The spelling of the name was changed
by the post office to Hallsville in the 1920s.
From a 1920 census
count of 696, Hallsville fell to 480 in 1930. It reached a new high of 1,000 in
the 1940s, falling back to 600 in the 1950s.
In 1988 the population passed
2,000 and the 1990 count was 2,288.
See
Hallsville
Historical MarkerHallsville
Cemetery Historical Marker
A
Sunday Drive Through Hallsville1907
Harrison County Vintage Postal Map
Hallsville,
Texas Area Hotels
Marshall
Hotels | Jefferson
Hotels |
 |
Historical
Marker on US 80 at Harrison County Sub-Courthouse:HallsvilleFormerly
Hallville. Successor to Fort Crawford and Ash Springs, pioneer settlements of
1840s. Hallsville was founded when Texas & Pacific Railway was built. First train
arrived Aug. 17, 1869. Western terminus for a time, and site (1870-73) of T. &
P. shops, town attracted ox-wagon freighting in wool, cotton and buffalo hides
from the West. Hallsville, named for Kentuckians Elijah and Volney Hall, received
charter Aug. 13, 1870. Volney Hall was a vice president of the old Southern Pacific
Railway, which was rechartered as the T. & P. Acquired Sub-Courthouse, 1965. |
Historical
Marker on 300 W. Willow St.:The
Hallsville CemeteryAfter
the establishment of Hallsville in 1869 by railroad developers, land was secured
here for a cemetery. In 1875 the James F. Taylor Masonic Lodge No. 169 acquired
from the railroad (by then named the Texas & Pacific) three acres of land near
the rail line and dedicated it as a community burial ground. The earliest marked
burial is that of Mrs. G. C. Russell in 1875, taking place while the land transaction
was in progress. Some burials from the older communities of Ash Springs (2 mi.
NE) and Fort Crawford (2 mi. SW) were transferred here, as most of their settlers
moved to Hallsville and the railhead. Since the 1920s cemetery cleaning days during
May served as community gatherings. Children were encouraged to take part and
learn about their ancestors while helping to maintain family plots. Politicians
spoke to the crowds before spring primary elections, and veterans were honored
on war memorial days. A cemetery association was formed in 1947 to ensure perpetual
care and acquire more land. Several additions were made through the generosity
of the railroad. Formal entrance gates, landscaping and other improvements have
been sponsored by the association.
Texas
Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 |
A
Sunday Drive Through Hallsville:
Longview
& Marshall: A Metropolitan Sunday Drive
by Bob Bowman
...From Longview, head east
on U.S. 80. You'll pass through Hallsville while traveling a scenic route characterized
by meadows, ranches, and turn-of-the-century buildings. Hallsville dates back
to l839 when W.C. Crawford built a fort as protection against Indians. The town
was named for pioneer Elijah Hall in l870 when the railroad arrived...
more
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1907
Harrison County postal map showing Hallsville
(Under "A" in "H-A-R-R-I-S-O-N")
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, and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
us.
Hallsville,
Texas Area Hotels
Marshall
Hotels | Jefferson
Hotels | |
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