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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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| | Sacred
Heart Catholic East Of Hamlin
Photo Courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2005 | |
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Hamlin,
Texas ForumSubject:
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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