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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 Text: 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, and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
us. | |
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