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Deming's
Bridge Beam and historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009 |
History
on a Bridge Beam
The community of Deming’s Bridge is represented
today by a historical marker and a supporting beam of the original span that gave
the community its name. In 1857 Edwin A. Deming constructed a bridge over the
then-navigable Tres Palacios River. A post office was in operation in the 1860s,
closed in 1866 and reopened in 1872. Although the town was hit by a devastating
storm in 1875, it retained a healthy population of 300 in the mid 1880s and grew
to a population of 500 by the early 1890s.
The name was changed to Hawley,
Texas in 1899 and the name of Deming’s Bridge fell into disuse – except for
the school which continued to be known as the Deming’s Bridge School until its
demise.
More History:
Hawley, Texas
Demings Bridge Community Marker
Photographer's
Note:
The Demings Bridge Community Marker and Bridge Beam are located to the very back,
west side, of the Old Hawley Cemetery on the banks
of the Tres Palacios River. - Barclay
Gibson, February 18, 2009 |
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Deming's
Bridge Community Texas historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009 |
Historical
Marker TextDeming's
Bridge Community
The Deming's Bridge community grew up around a wooden bridge built over the Tres
Palacios River at this site in 1857 for Edward A. Deming, owner of land along
the west side of the stream. The crossing provided by Deming's Bridge became a
natural gathering place for settlers of western Matagorda County.
Tres
Palacios Baptist Church, site of many community activities, was established on
the east side of the river. The Deming's Bridge Post Office opened in 1858, with
Edwin A. Deming serving as postmaster until it was discontinued in 1866. Reinstated
in 1872, the post office name was changed to Hawley in 1899. It closed again in
1903 when it was moved to the new settlement of Blessing
(2 miles west). A Masonic hall, established in 1874, was also moved to Blessing
after location of the railroad there caused a population shift.
Hawley
Cemetery originated as a two-acre plot of land called Deming's Bridge Cemetery.
Among the burials are the graves of brothers and noted cattle ranchers Abel Head
"Shanghai" Pierce
(1834-1900) and Jonathan Edwards Pierce (1839-1915). Jonathan Pierce donated land
to enlarge the cemetery and was instrumental in changing its name in 1898 in honor
of Texas Senator Robert B. Hawley (1849-1921). | |
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