Near Hamlin in Fisher County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Hitson Community
Photographed By Duane Hall, June 7, 2016
1. Site of Hitson Community Marker
Inscription.
Site of Hitson Community. . Ranchers John and William Hittson were among the first to settle in this area in about 1870; the area around their homes became known as Hittson or Hitson. Fisher County was created in 1876, and settlement began to increase. A post office opened in 1885. A school began operation in 1888 and by 1896 Hitston had a general store operated by C.W. Morris as well as a Methodist church. The Hittson brothers were the major landowners in the area, but the community included a number of large farming families who cleared the fertile land and planted crops. , Though the post office was moved to Swedonia in 1906, the community of Hitson continued to grow. Oil was discovered in the area after World War I, providing an additional means of income for the townspeople as well as the Hitson School for a time. In 1925 there were 32 families with 120 school-age children living in the area. , By 1940 the town had a school, a church, three businesses and scattered dwellings. As was the case in many small towns across Texas and the U.S. during World War II, most of the town’s young people enlisted in the armed forces or moved to cities to take part in the war effort. With their labor force thus depleted, Hitson farmers were unable to survive. Small family farms were sold to larger enterprises. Most of the new owners lived in nearby Hamlin or Rotan. Hitson School was consolidated with Hamlin schools in 1947; the white frame church building used by the Hitson Baptist Church was moved to Roby in 1959 and by the end of the 20th century all that remained of the community were a few homes and a cemetery.
Ranchers John and William Hittson were among the first to settle in this area in about 1870; the area around their homes became known as Hittson or Hitson. Fisher County was created in 1876, and settlement began to increase. A post office opened in 1885. A school began operation in 1888 and by 1896 Hitston had a general store operated by C.W. Morris as well as a Methodist church. The Hittson brothers were the major landowners in the area, but the community included a number of large farming families who cleared the fertile land and planted crops.
Though the post office was moved to Swedonia in 1906, the community of Hitson continued to grow. Oil was discovered in the area after World War I, providing an additional means of income for the townspeople as well as the Hitson School for a time. In 1925 there were 32 families with 120 school-age children living in the area.
By 1940 the town had a school, a church, three businesses and scattered dwellings. As was the case in many small towns across Texas and the U.S. during World War II, most of the town’s young people enlisted in the armed forces or moved to cities to take part in the war effort. With their labor force thus depleted, Hitson farmers were unable to survive. Small family farms were sold to larger enterprises. Most of the new owners lived in nearby Hamlin or
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Rotan. Hitson School was consolidated with Hamlin schools in 1947; the white frame church building used by the Hitson Baptist Church was moved to Roby in 1959 and by the end of the 20th century all that remained of the community were a few homes and a cemetery.
Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11672.)
Location. 32° 53.693′ N, 100° 12.75′ W. Marker is near Hamlin, Texas, in Fisher County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 92 and County Road 251, on the right when traveling west on State Highway 92. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamlin TX 79520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Hitson, TX. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on June 10, 2016.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, June 7, 2016
3. Intersection of State Highway 92 and County Road 251
Marker is at northwest corner of intersection
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 609 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 10, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.