Milford in Hill County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Hammel's Branch
Photographed by QuesterMark
1. Hammel's Branch Marker
In 1876 a family of German descent, the John Henry Himmels, settled in this area of Hill County. Seven years later, Miss Emma B. Himmel became the first teacher of the Himmel Branch School. The school was the beginning of a town that, through a misspelling, came to be called Hammel's Branch. Other prominent names of early settlers were the Clinkscales, Elkins, Giles, Hall, Haskins, Jennings, Kuykendall, Lynch, McClure, Snow, Thompson, Watson, Wells, White, and Williams families.
The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad laid a line through the settlement in 1893-94, and the community began to flourish. Eight business establishments, including a general store, gin, and blacksmith shop, opened along the rail line. In 1903 a post office was established in the depot, and the town legally became known as Hammel's Branch.
After World War I, the town began to decline. In 1920, the last store closed. The school held its last classes in 1925. Evidence of the community can still be found upon close examination.
Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2351.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 32° 5.033′ N, 96° 58.597′ W. Marker is in Milford, Texas, in Hill County. It is on Farm to Market Road 1243, on the left when traveling north. To arrive at he marker, from Milford take US 77 south 3 miles; turn east on FM 1243 and continue 1 mile to marker on west side of highway, just past an old railroad crossing. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mertens TX 76666, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Brandon Mill (approx. 2.8 miles away); Saint James A.M.E. Church (approx. 3 miles away); Milford Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.2 miles away); First Baptist Church
Photographed by QuesterMark, September 4, 2022
2. Hammel's Branch Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2022, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2022, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
