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Anna Martin &
Sons General Merchandise
"Pay Highest Price for Cotton, Wool and Hides"
July 21, 1891
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
History
in a Pecan Shell
As Fredericksburg
became saturated with settlers in the 1850s, many left the safety
of the populated areas and moved into Mason
County. Two of these German settlers were Christopher Voges and
Louis Martin who moved their families here in the late 1850s.
The community took its name from either the mother or daughter of
Louis Martin since both were named Hedwig. The town is generally
considered to be one of, if not the oldest community in Mason
County.
The community received a post office in June of 1858 with Louis as
postmaster. A store opened around that same time run by Charles Martin
(nephew of Louis) and his wife. In addition to the store, the couple
had a freighting business with Austin
and San Antonio.
In 1870 a Methodist Episcopal church was established one of three
that once served the community and environs. A school opened in the
late 1800s.
The community had the dubious distinction of being one of the earliest
communities to fall victim to improved roads which facilitated travel
eclipsing the importance of way station communities.
The Hedwigs Hill post office closed in 1907 and the population was
first reported as 10 in the 1930s. In the 1960s the community roared
to life, reporting 63 residents.
The house of Louis Martin has been relocated to Lubbock
as part of the Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University.
By the mid 1970s the population reached its high-water mark of 85
but returned back to 10 for the 1990 census. |
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Mason
County 1907 Postal map showing Hedwig Hill
SE of Mason
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| 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
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