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Downtown
Hamlin
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2005 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Hamlin was named after a railroad official of the Kansas City, Mexico
and Orient Railway. The arrival of the railroad was announced in 1902
and the first train arrived in 1906. The county's first gypsum plant
was constructed six miles outside of Hamlin in 1903.
A second railroad (the Texas Central) soon arrived followed by a third
(the Abilene and Southern) in 1910. The railroads helped Hamlin prosper
and in the 1920s oil was discovered. The 1940 population was 2,406
which grew to over 3,500 by 1950.
The gypsum plant evolved into part of the Celotex Corporation and
in 1970 the town had eighty businesses.
The population appears to have reached its zenith in 1960 with 3,791
Hamlinites. Part of the population spilled over into Fisher county
in the late 70s and early 80s.
Hamlin is included in the Abilene
Metropolitan Area.
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The
Hamlin Water Tower
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2005 |
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Sacred
Heart Catholic East Of Hamlin
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2005 |
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Hamlin,
Texas Forum
Subject:
Hamlin's Bluebird of Happiness 1942
Dear Texas Escapes,
I am seeking information about two young (young in 1942-43) Black
men. They were known as Joe B. and Slim.
Slim had two sisters Willy May and Lily May ? One was married to
a man named James. They pulled cotton for my parents in 1942 or
1943 in Hamlin, Texas.
Most of [their] family moved on, but Joe B. and Slim did not yet
wish to leave --- so they lived in our front living room for two
more months before they returned to Hillsboro.
My family at that time consisted of my parents (Herbert and Dolores
Nauert) and me (Clinton aged 4).
After Joe B. and Slim went to town one Saturday on their return
they gave me a tiny metal bluebird --- they had gotten from a box
of Crackerjacks --- This was one of the only gifts I had ever been
given --- other than at Christmas. I am now 68 years of age and
I have never forgotten those fellows' kindness. Nor have I ever
forgotten eating breakfast with them for those two months in 1942
or 1943. If I could contact them or one of their children I would
just like them to know how a little kindness can mean so much to
a child. My parents and I have very fond memories of those two really
nice young men. Thank you, - Clinton Nauert, Greenwood, Arkansas,
August 29, 2006
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