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Site
of the first Hardin County courthouse in "Old" Hardin
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December, 2007 |
History
in a Pinecone
Hardin County came into existence in 1858 and
what better name could one choose than Hardin, Texas? By 1860, the community had
a post office but growth was slow.
Even as late as 1878, the courthouse
was only one of several buildings and the population was a mere 150 souls. It
suffered the fate of so many towns in Texas when it was bypassed (by only two
miles) by the Sabine and East Texas Railroad in the early 1880s.
Hardin
managed to defeat Hardin Countians who wanted to move the seat of government to
the railroad town of Kountze in 1884, but
a fire in 1886 destroyed the courthouse, making the move a necessity.
By
1900 the number of residents numbered just over 100 and the post office closed
its doors in 1903.
Historical Marker Text:
"OLD"
HARDINFounded 1859
as first county seat of Hardin County, created in 1858. Prospered until bypassed
by Sabine & East Texas Railroad in 1881. A fire of suspicious origin razed the
Courthouse here on Aug. 8, 1886. In an 1887 election, Kountze,
on the railroad, was named the county seat. |
 |
Historical
marker at the site of the first county seat of Hardin County
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December, 2007 |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
us.
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Hotel:
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