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History
in a Pecan Shell
George
E. Quinan can be credited with establishing the town when he headquartered
his ranching operation here in the 1870s. The community even bore
the name of Quinan for some time.
A post office was granted in 1874. John C. Habermacher, Quinan’s first
postmaster, was a mover and shaker for the fledgling community. Habermacher
operated his store and the post office, but found time to serve on
the school board and formed the Quinan Literary Club.
In 1880, Quinan was bypassed by the New York, Texas and Mexican Railroad
– but only by a quarter mile. A new site was platted and residents
from Quinan moved to the new community.
At this point, railroad executive Daniel E. Hungerford became the
namesake of the new community and Quinan’s post office moved to Hungerford
in 1883.
Hungerford’s population in 1885 was 200 and the town had churches
and a school as well as a gin and gristmill.
The town grew and in the mid 1930s could boast three general stores
selling whatever Hungerfordians needed. The town reported no disasters
or fires (other than the occasional flood) and quietly went about
its business. The railroad’s discontinuing service and Wharton’s
proximity prevented growth. Nevertheless the 1960 census showed a
population of 450, growing to nearly 500 by the 1980s.
Highway 59 bypassed Hungerford in the 1980s. The community
of Quinan is remembered in the text of a historical
marker. |
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"Walter
Hudgins shows off his new automobile and a Brahman bull. The Hudgins
estate near Hungerford helped define the cattle
and ranching industry on the Bay Prairie. Known internationally
in the cattle industry, the Hudgins name stands into the present as
a leader in Southeast Texas ranching."
Photo
courtesy Wharton County Historical Museum
See Wharton
County Old Photos |
Historical markers
at the town square
Photo Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2010 |
Quinan Community
Historical Marker
Photo Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2010 |
Historical
Marker
Site of Quinan
Community
(1/4 Mi. W)
The village of Quinan was established about 1872 on
the Wharton-Richmond road. It was named for Judge George E. Quinan
(1819 - 1893), who lived south of here on Peach Creek. A native of
Ireland, Quinan served in the Texas senate and on the state court
of civil appeals. He was one of the founders of the state bar of Texas
. The community named for him had a school, Methodist church, and
a post office located in John C. Habermacher's store. The Quinan community
declined after the founding of Hungerford in 1882. The post office
and businesses were relocated here later. |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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