Hemphill in Sabine County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Hemphill
Builders constructed the first courthouse in Hemphill shortly after the community’s establishment; it was replaced in 1864 by another building, which burned down in 1875. Builders completed another courthouse in 1877, which was eventually replaced by the current structure in 1906. Other significant early institutions included Sabine Valley University, established in 1879, First National Bank, which opened in 1907 and closed during the Great Depression. Hemphill Common School District No. 1 organized in the late 1800s, and by 1890 listed three trustees, two teachers and eighty-eight students.
The population of Hemphill increased steadily between 1850 and 1930, due in great part to the presence of the Knox Sawmill in the western portion of town. Temple Lumber Company later bought the mill, which burned I n1937. Combined with post-World War II rural-to-urban migration trends and the lack of major thoroughfares in the town, the closing of the sawmill promoted a decline in the community’s population. Today, Hemphill remains the seat of the Sabine County government, and is home to several national, state, and local offices, remaining a community of vital importance in the state of Texas.
Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15412.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 31° 20.536′ N, 93° 50.97′ W. Marker is in Hemphill, Texas, in Sabine County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 184) and South Texas Street, on the left when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hemphill TX 75948, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sabine County (a few steps from this marker); Sabine County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Sabine County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sabine County (within shouting distance of this marker); William F. and Bertha Sutor Goodrich House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pratt (about 500 feet away); First Baptist Church of Hemphill (about 600 feet away); Hemphill Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hemphill.
Also see . . . Hemphill, Texas. (Submitted on August 17, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.