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of Hill County
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City of Hillsboro Historical Marker
In 1853, The Texas Legislature carved Hill County out of Navarro County. Named for Physician and Republic of Texas Secretary of War Dr. George Washington Hill, the new county had only recently attracted Anglo settlement following the establishment of 1848 of Fort Graham. County Commissioners selected Hillsboro, originally spelled Hillsborough, as county seat. They established the town on land donated by Thomas Steiner, John Caruthers, and Jonathan Newby, and the community soon had a school and Post Office, as well as a wood-frame courthouse. Cotton became the mainstay of Hillsboro's late 19th century economy. The city experienced rapid growth after the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad and other lines came to the town in the early 1880's. In addition to bringing new settlers and giving access to shipping and transportation railroads provided many new jobs. The city continued to grow and incorporated in 1881. The cotton industry produced a building boom between 1890 and 1910. As evidenced by the numerous Queen Anne home still intact today, as well as the noted 1890 Hill County Courthouse. In 1923, the community established the Hillsboro Junior College, which over the years has become Hill College. Many Texas political leaders have come from Hillsboro, including U. S. Congressman Joseph Abbott and Texas Lt. Governor Bob Bullock, as well as Thomas Slater Smith, Robert Lee Bobbitt, Robert W. Calvert, Crawford C. Martin, Nelson Philips and Sam Johnson. In 1981 Hillsboro became one of the Texas Historical Commission's five original Texas Mains Street Cities. The growing city continues to provide leadership, as well as natural, cultural and educational resources. Marker located at Library. 2004 |
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Abbott's Grove Historical Marker
In the early days of Hillsboro, a grove of pecan, hackberry, elm and other trees grew along the banks of Hackberry Creek. Hillsboro residents came to the grove for community celebrations and festivities. They called it Abbott's Grove in honor of one of the city's popular leaders, Joseph Abbott (1840-1908). He and his wife, Rowena (Sturgis), built their family hone on the land south of the creek. Two of their five children owned adjacent property. Jo Abbott was a distinguished lawyer, Judge, Texas Legislator, and U. S. Congressman. He and brother-in-law George F. Sturgis operated what would become the Sturgis National Bank. An avid anti-prohibitionist, Abbot was often a speaker at rallies and barbecues held in the 1880's and 1890's in the grove near his home. Other events at the grove included community and holiday picnics, concerts, ball games, and reunions for groups like the old settlers and Confederate Veterans Associations. At Abbott's death in 1908, prominent businessman and banker George Carmichael (1855-1924) purchased the Abbott home and property and donated $1,000 in 1921 to designate the grove as a city park. The newly organized Hillsboro Rotary Club got behind the effort, and after a few months of raising funds the Rotarians were successful in their campaign. The new municipal park continued the name of Abbott's Grove. Use of the park at Abbott's Grove fluctuated over the years, but after a period of underutilization the park is once again a source of community pride and a place for birthday parties, end-of-school events and other celebrations. Hillsboro citizens enjoy the scenic setting and the many amenities found in historic Abbott's Grove. 2004 |
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Blum Cemetery Historical Marker.
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Itasca Railroad Depot
The second railroad depot for Itasca, this Victorian structure was built in 1895, fourteen years after the town was founded along a line of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. It was constructed large enough to accommodate both passenger and freight service. A landmark in the town and a symbol of the area's early economic growth, the depot served as a transportation center until the late 1960's. In 1972 it was moved to this site
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Whitney
Memorial Park The construction of Whitney Dam caused the creation of this cemetery in 1950 for the reinterment of 1260 graves from six historic cemeteries in Hill and Bosque Counties. Before Lake Whitney inundated several pioneer cemeteries, all of the gravesites and monuments were moved here and placed on nearly 24 acres purchased for the Brazos Valley graves. The Captain Wilson Cemetery was originally located about six miles southwest of Whitney and named for Civil War veteran and politician J. M. C. Wilson. The earliest documented burial was from 1857. The Walling Bend Cemetery, dating from 1863, was named for Jesse Walling, who served in the Texas Legislature. The two Schuler Place Cemeteries were located on the Bosque County side of Lake Whitney, and contained 14 graves, many of the Basye Family. The cemetery that served the Towash Community was located about five miles west of Whitney. The earliest known burial was that of A. J. and J. J. Dyer in 1864. Their descendants included a member of the Texas Legislature, the first Chief Justice of Hill County and owners of a flour and grist mill. The Degriffenreid Graveyard, located about three miles west of Whitney , was the largest of the six cemeteries moved with 685 graves.
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Southwestern Presbyterian Home and
School for Orphans. Orphanage originated in Dallas when First Presbyterian Church women arranged care for four children of a deceased member. Church then decided to found a statewide orphanage, for which D. S. Files Family gave this land. Home opened in 1906 with Rev. J. D. McLean as first president. From beginning, home has used modern "cottage plan" and has maintained reputation for its outstanding staff, facilities, and program. Home's school was closed in 1957. Orphanage now part of Presbyterian Children's Home and service agency.
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Cell Block Museum: Hill County
Jail Constructed in 1893, this building serves ad the third jail for Hill County. It was designed by W. C. Dodson of Waco, architect of the Hill County Courthouse, and built by the Brown County firm of Lovell and Wood. The brick and limestone structure reflects influences of the Victorian and medieval revival styles. Interior space includes living quarters in the front for the sheriff and jailer. Steel-clad prisoner cells are located in the back section. RECORDED TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARK --1981 |
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CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples
of Christ) of Hillsboro The earliest worship service for local disciples was conducted on September 11, 1881. Six years later the fellowship was formally chartered with 35 members. Meetings were held in private homes, the courthouse, and the schoolhouse until a sanctuary was built on Waco Street in 1886. After a fire destroyed the structure in 1892 the members rebuilt here. Active in support of missions and benevolent organizations, the church has been a significant institution in the community. Membership has included two missionaries, Nona Boegman and the Rev. Allan Eubank.
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House was one of finest in town, with hand - carved mantels, stained glass windows, "speaking tube" between kitchen and third floor bedroom, and a dumbwaiter - cistern on back porch supplied cool water all year round. Outbuildings included stable and coach house. On grounds were grape arbor, orchard, and garden. Restored by Dana L. Bennett.
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Named for Bond's Drug Store, located here since 1881, and sheltering in bad weather people who usually sunned in alley. Early neighbors varied from a Chinese Laundry to an auto assembly shop.
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One of the oldest bank buildings in Hill County, built in 1887 by Farmers National Bank. Constructed of sun-dried brick, replaced by kiln-dried brick in 1912. Purchased by Colonial Trust Company in 1931; green revival front with columns added.
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Entered in the National Register of Historic Places -- 1971 |
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1970
This former post office (1913) presented to |
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The new town included a post office, bank, school, several churches, civic organizations, a newspaper, and many businesses. The Opera House was the cultural center for entertainment., offering theatrical and musical productions and, later, movies. Several devastating fires burned much of the downtown area over the years, but the citizens rebuilt each time. The building of nearby Whitney Dam caused the town's population to expand in the later 1940s and early 1950s, and brought increased tourism from those visiting the newly created Lake Whitney. The town of Whitney observed its 100th birthday on November 25, 1979. A Centennial Celebration included a parade, musical entertainment, and fireworks.
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Over 200 students enrolled. A military department prepared young men for duty in Civil War. Many of the 25 colleges in confederate Texas closed, due to shortage of teachers and books. But college here stayed opened. Col. Gathings operated flour mill, tannery, shoe shop, machine shop (made wagons, coffins, farm equipment), brick kiln, saddlery. To needy families of soldiers he gave flour, meat and shoes. He also mounted, clothed and equipped army units free.
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The county commissioners court equipped and clothed troops. Also furnished medicine, cotton, wool. meat, corn and salt to the families of soldiers. The court raised funds by issuing bonds and scrip and assessing a tax of 75¢ per $100 taxable property to aid soldier's dependents and 15¢ for military purposes. Located here is a Confederate Research Center and Museum.
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Lexington Village Site of old Lexington Village, Founded about 1851 on Jack's Branch, was Hill County's first settlement and only polling place when county organized on May 14, 1853. For 4 months two log homes functioned as a courthouse until a special election put the county seat at Hillsboro. 1965 The historical marker will be located on the Hill County Courthouse Grounds. It was originally erected on Hwy 22 west of Hillsboro but was missing until August 4, 2005 when it was returned to the Dallas County Pioneers Association and then in turn presented to the Hill County Historical Commission and Honorable Kenneth Davis, Hill County Judge (Click here to read the full story from the Dallas County Pioneer Association)
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Lexington Village Marker This marker is located on the Hill County Courthouse Grounds. The original site of Lexington Village was one mile south of Hillsboro. Please see Lexington Village original marker listed above. |
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George L. and Roxie Brooks Porter Home In 1881, Tennessee native, George L. Porter (1854-1928) wed Roxie Brooks (1863-1927), daughter of early Hill County Official Cincinattus Ney Brooks. George was a merchant in nearby Peoria (6 mi. W) and later served as an officer in Sturgis National and Citizens National Banks in Hillsboro. The Porters were community leaders and active members of Hillsboro's First Baptist Church. In 1901, Roxie's brother O. D. Brooks constructed this Queen Anne style house, selling it to the couple that same year. It features a wrapped porch, Tuscan columns, decorative shingling, and a massed plan with hipped roof and cross gables. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 2004 Marker is located at 400 Corsicana Street, Hillsboro, Texas |
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Huron The U.S. Army established Fort Graham in this area in 1849. Although the Fort closed in 1853. The presence of the troops stationed there had prompted the development of settlements throughout this part of Hill County. By 1860, James Monroe and Martha Louisa (George) Neal moved to this immediate area with their family, and the Elm Mott community developed around their property. Over the years, the Neal family donated land to local residents on which to build a school, teacher housing, a Methodist Church, a Tabernacle and a Woodmen of The World Hall. The turn in the road known as community corner was the settlement's social center, and Elm Mott became the central stop between the communities of Whitney and Blum, established as railroad towns in 1876 and 1881, respectively. In the early 1880's, widower Jehu Gist moved to Elm Mott with his sisters and children and opened a general store that served the dispersed agricultural community. He later applied for a Post Office, which required that he find a unique name for the town. After several suggestions, the Postal Service approved the name Huron, the name of Gist's youngest son. The Post Office operated in the Gist Store from 1897 to 1904. In the early part of the 20th Century, the Huron School served about 200 students, and area residents supported three Church congregations. Huron students consolidated into Blum and Whitney districts in 1949, but Cedar Creek Baptist Church, established in 1888, remains a spiritual and social center, as well as a gathering place for area residents and for descendents of early Huron families. 2006 |
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