Historic Hearne Tour

www.robertsoncounty.info

H I S T O R I C H E A R N E T O U R

A Tour Of Places, Buildings, & Homes With Architectural & Historical Significance In The City Of Hearne

Additional information about Historic Hearne is available at:
Handbook Of Texas Online, Hearne-On-The-Brazos,
Hearne Website #1, Hearne Website #2, Robertson County Post Offices,
History Of Robertson County by James Walter Baker, &
Historical Recollections Of Robertson County by Richard Denny Parker.

Send In Your Photos TODAY!

If you have pictures of Robertson County, its towns, communities, rivers, streams, bridges, fields, cemeteries, houses, government buildings, businesses, farms, churches, farm machinery, crops, farm animals, wild animals, oil wells, gas wells, drilling platforms, cotton gins, bluebonnets, dogwood trees, or any other pictures which give glimpses of what life is like in Robertson County, please send them to William Kent Brunette.

Historic Hearne Tourist Map

The red circled numbers identify important places, buildings, & houses in the City Of Hearne.
The blue circled numbers identify the former locations of important structures that have been torn down.
Numbers Have Not Yet Been Placed On Map

# On Map

Sketches & Photographs

Names & Descriptions Of Places, Buildings, & Houses
With Architectural & Historical Significance

Photo above taken in July 1922; from a private collection.


	Early Hearne Photos Contributed by Norman Lowell McCarver, Jr.

Camp Hearne WWII Prisoner Of War Internment Camp 1942-1947
30 53 15 N / - 96 37 03 W, Hwy. 485, 1/2 mile west of Hearne, Map
Texas Historic Marker Pending
"During the Second World War, allied troops captured large numbers of Axis soldiers and transported them to prisoner of war camps established throughout the United States. More than 70 camps in Texas housed some 50,000 prisoners. In March 1942, Hearne Chamber of Commerce President Roy Henry contacted Congressman Luther Johnson to request that a camp be located here. Within a month, U.S. Army staff had inspected the area and selected 720 acres as a prison site. Construction of the camp began in September 1942 and was completed in six months. It was laid out in three sections, each of which included a mess hall, lavatory, company office and eight barracks. The first of almost 5,000 prisoners of war (POWs) arrived in June 1943. Most of the POWs housed here were non-commissioned officers (NCOs) of the famed German Afrika Korps captured in Tunisia. Because NCOs were not required to work in prison camps according to the Geneva Convention, they spent most of their time in recreational and educational activities while the bulk of the work in the camp fell to enlisted men who comprised about twenty percent of the prison population. In 1944, Camp Hearne became the central mail distribution point for all German POWs in the U.S., but poor supervision allowed a small group of Nazi sympathizers to infiltrate the system and intimidate and terrorize both prisoners and their families back in Germany until the scheme was discovered and the operation shut down in July 1945. A few hundred Japanese prisoners were brought here in the summer of 1945 shortly before the end of the War. All POWs were gone and the camp closed by January 1946." (2003) A full-scale model of the camp is at the Hearne Chamber of Commerce office. Foundations & other evidence still exist at the site. Efforts are underway in 2003 to preserve the camp & build a roadside park.
Camp Hearne Collection

Hearne Railroad Depot
30 53 06 N / -96 35 53 W, Hwy 6 at Southern Pacific & Missouri Pacific crossroads, Map
Texas Historic Marker Pending
The Hearne Railroad Depot was constructed in 1901 as a joint venture by the Houston & Texas Central (H&TC) and International & Great Northern (I&GN) Railroads. The building is a single-story frame structure on a concrete base. The two decorative towers, the "stick-style" design, size and interior details all reflect the importance of this junction and of passenger traffic at this period. The building was designed with its two long walls parallel to the tracks, and an interlock signaling room racing north at the apex of the plan. There was a baggage room and a ticket office that served separate waiting rooms for black and white passengers. Also at the location was a Harvey House Restaurant and a Wells Fargo Railway Express building. Efforts are underway in 2003 to transform Hearne's historic depot into a visitors center & museum. The Hearne Railroad Depot is one of 12 buildings or groups of buildings in Robertson County that is preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress American Memory Collection. Seven architectural drawings and floor plans of this historic depot from this collection are featured below.
Railroad Collection

Brown-Robb-Johnson House, Brown's Springs, Robb Brick Plant,
East line of the Southern Pacific right-of-way north of the Hearne Railroad Depot
In 1836, Code Brown built his cabin here at the site of the springs that still bear his name. His cabin became a stagecoach tavern on the Houston stage route. Elements of the current residence are thought to be part of Code Brown's cabin. It is the oldest residence in the city, one of the oldest in the county. Over the years, the house was enlarged - John Robb of Toronto, Canada purchased the property in 1888 and ran a large brick yard there for many years. Much Robertson County brick bears the familiar "JR" stamp. The Brown-Robb family cemetery lies on land north of house on creek. The house was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Alonzo Johnson in 1981 from John Robb's grand daughter and is being restored.
Brown-Robb Cemetery

Photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 289.

Smith-Welch Memorial Library (Batley Building)
West 4th Street
The north end of downtown Hearne developed after the arrival of the second railroad (the International & Great Northern) in 1871. The building now known as the Smith-Welch Memorial Library was erected in 1892 on the site of an earlier wooden store. It remains one of the most ornate buildings in the downtown area reflecting the prosperity of Hearne in the late nineteenth century. The upper portion of the front facade has classical details in pressed metal on a wood frame. Above the main floor is a mezzanine with an open well which allowed light to enter through a skylight and second floor windows. The second level has an impressive gallery with original carved fretwork and semi-circular leaded/stained glass window facing the street. The building was donated to the city 1971 by Mrs. Josie T. Welch) when it was converted for use as a public library. This outstanding pressed metal fascaded Victorian Building has undergone extensive restoration. Builder J. H. Batley was a prosperous Hearne merchant. He sold the building in 1895 to Sam Lipsitz who operated a dry goods store here, a use which continued under several ownerships until late 1930. The Smith-Welch Memorial Library is one of 12 buildings or groups of buildings in Robertson County that is preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress American Memory Collection. Seven architectural drawings and floor plans of this historic building from this collection are featured below.

Guy E. Chandler Park
30 52 52 N / -96 35 43 W, West 4th Street, Map
This park includes a recently added miniature tropical rain forest. Governor's Award reads: "Presented to Hearne 1985, The Governor's Community Achievement Award, For Enhancing The Quality Of Life In The Community Through Planning, Improving, & Preserving An Attractive Environment. The State Of Texas. Sponsored By Keep Texas Beautiful. Mark White, Governor." Historic Landmark Award reads: "City Of Hearne. Founded 1871. Historic Landmark." Veterans Memorial reads: "Dedicated to the memory of all veterans who served our country during time of war, and especially to the honor of those who made the supreme sacrifice. Dedicated by Miles Scrivener Legion, Hearne, Texas."

Hoyt's "Post Office" Pharmacy Building
West 4th & South Magnolia Streets
Built around 1895, building originally housed Davidson Dry Goods; 2nd level housed cotton brokers and doctors offices. Hoyt's Pharmacy celebrated its 50th year of family ownership on June 15, 1982. Originally in the Masonic Building, the drugstore was established by Wait Stephen & Francis Archer Hoyt. For many years before its closure, the drugstore still had its original soda foundation.

Hearne City Hall
30 52 48 N / -96 35 49 W, corner of West Third & Cedar Streets, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Situated on land originally granted (1830) to Francisco Ruiz, Commander of Fort Tenoxtitlan. The first settler, S. Code Brown, operated a tavern, stage stand, store, and post office which served a large area. Among the Southern planters coming here (1852) were Ebenezer and Horatio Hearne who later titled 5,000 acres to Houston & Texas Central Railroad when the railroad built to this site in 1868. The town platted in 1870 and named for the Hearne family was incorporated in 1871." [#10930/1971]
THC Marker

Allen Hardware Store
30 52 49 N / -96 35 42 W, 111 Third Street, corner West Third & South Magnolia Streets, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Built 1872 on land purchased from International Railroad Company by Drew and Holt of Hearne. After ownerships by James Ferguson, W. T. Watt, R. A. Allen, and H. K. Davis, Allen bought store in 1891; was joined by son Robert. Their heirs still own and operate the store. Goods carried in the past included seeds, saddles, wagons, building hardware, implements, and coffins." [#10898/1968]
THC Marker

Photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 270.

Old Main Post Office
302 South Magnolia Street
Built in 1941, it is an outstanding example of the Federal New Deal style. Abandoned by the U.S. Postal Service in 1989.

Martin-Allen-Ely-Kennedy House
108 West First Street at South Magnolia Street
Colonel Robert H. Martin came to Hearne shortly after the Civil War and erected a fine opera house. His son, Robert J., married Mary Louise Fowler, whose family owned and operated the Alden Hotel and 5th & Market Streets. The house was built prior to 1891 by Martin, purchased in 1912 by W. C. Allen, and probably underwent extensive remodeling similar to "The Columns." Sold to Hosea and Emma Ely in 1922, it remained in the Ely family for 50 years. Tim and Claudette Kennedy purchased the house in 1976 and restored it to its original beauty.
THC Survey

Henninger-Steffan-Marshall House
201 West Second Street at South Magnolia Street
J. G. Henninger, a former Union soldier from Pennsylvania, came to Hearne in 1868. He and his wife were in Ford's Theatre the night Lincoln was shot. In 1869, they built a house on the corner of Magnolia and 2nd Streets, with a blacksmith shop near the alley. Later, the blacksmith shop became Hearne's First Independent Bank as well as a Post Office and headquarters for Jones Rifles, a military company Henninger commanded. The original house was one story. Jacob Steffan came from Germany in 1871; his bride Eugenia came in 1878. Staffan died in 1883 and his widow and daughter moved into the Henninger house. In 1900, the house was enlarged by adding a second story. When Velesca Steffan and Richard Marshall married, it was agreed they would live there too. House purchased in 1982 by David and Eileen McCartney.

Grace United Methodist Church
30 52 44N / -96 35 42 W, 408 South Magnolia Street, corner South Magnolia & West First, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Methodists of Hearne organized their church in November 1870 with the Reverend Horace Bishop as pastor. In 1884, the Reverend Seth Wars became pastor. Later, the Reverend Mr. Ward was the first native Texan to be named Bishop in the Methodist Church. A church was constructed at this location in 1885 through gifts and pledges of the membership. Present edifice was built in 1931, renovated in 1965. Having adopted name "Grace" in 1948, congregation became Grace United Methodist Church in 1968 and observed 100th anniversary of Methodism in Hearne in 1970." [#10932/1972]
THC Marker

Bottom photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 263.

Westbrook-Philen-Byrd House
30 52 38 N / -96 35 39 W, 604 Magnolia Street, Map
Built in 1904 by Jeannie Carr Randle Westbrook, widow of Colonel Titus Westbrook, native Mississippian, former Confederate Officer and one of the wealthiest, most successful planters in Texas. The outstanding 12 room Colonial Revival mansion was purchased by J. G. Philen, President of Planters & Merchants State Bank in 1922. House contains outstanding stained glass windows and a residential elevator.
THC Marker

Bottom photo to left taken in 1922; from a private collection.

Cobb-Fleming House
1007 South Magnolia Street
Original construction date unknown but one of Hearne's early-day houses. The front two rooms were one of the town's early schools - later additions were made. It was the residence of Judge Albert G. Cobb after 1900. A Confederate from Leon County, he was Justice of the Peace in Wheelock for 14 years and in Hearne for 18 years. His daughter, Viola, was one of the city's first telephone operators. Dr. James P. Fleming Jr. purchased the house in 1948 and added several rooms. In 1981, it was purchased by Steve and Earlene Wright. The house originally had a wrought iron fence.

Adams-White Place
30 52 26 N / -96 35 26 W, 1105 Magnolia Street, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Built in 1896 for Horatio "Rashe" Adams by A. A. White of pine wood shipped from Oregon. House has 12 foot ceilings and many antiques (such as a built-in china closet) from the old B. W. Beckham Mansion which was razed. Of pure Victorian architecture, Miss Lil White owned and resided in this lovely house for many years beginning in 1924." [#10896/1968]
THC Marker

Peter Louis Brady House
1200 South Market Street
Peter Louis Brady came to Texas with his parents Daniel and Mary McGovern Brady in 1869. They settled on the site where Peter built the stately colonial house in 1913. Also site of the first hotel in Old Hearne. Peter Louis Brady was Mayor from 1896 - 1919. Democratic precinct chairman for years, he built first electrical power plant under private ownership. House purchased in 1964 by Amon L. Bailey. Owned in 2003 by Dennis & Nanette Sepolio Zeig.

Allen-Holloway House
30 52 43 N / -96 35 45 W, 402 Cedar Street, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Hearnewood. Robert Cyrus Allen [1871 - 1933] had this Victorian residence built in 1900 as a wedding present for his wife Florence [Blair]. A prominent area merchant, banker, and civic leader, Allen also served as mayor of the city and was instrumental in the organization of the Hearne & Brazos Valley Railroad. This house, constructed on the site of his family home, was designed by the noted Waco architect W. W. Larmour. The exterior features decorative shingling and classical revival detailing. Interior furnishings include intricate woodwork and seven fireplaces." [#10899/1981] This eclectic structure represents elements of Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, & Classic Architecture. It contains eleven outstanding stained glass windows as well as longleaf pine carved wood and spindle work. The house remained in the Allen family until 1979 when it was purchased and restored by Jack and Norma Holloway.
National Register, THC Marker

Bottom photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 267.

1871 - 1912

Saint Philips Episcopal Church
30 52 42 N / -96 35 45 W, 408 Cedar Street, corner First & Cedar, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "W. B. Wadsworth [1843 - 1916] and J. G. Wilkerson [1847 - 1903] moved their families to the Hearne area from Matagorda. With their help, this church was founded in 1871. It was named in honor of the Reverend J. W. Philips who preached the first sermon. This property was donated to the congregation by the New York & Texas Land Company. Services were conducted in a wooden church building until the present Gothic Revival structure was completed in 1912." [#10945/1979]
THC Marker

Bottom photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 260.

Schafer-Ely-McCraken-Robbins House
602 Cedar Street
Built circa 1878 by John & Anna Schafer. Originally a one-story "Planter's House," the house was sold by Mattie Schafer Hensen to W. M. & Myra Ely in 1908. Soon afterward, it underwent extensive remodeling following the turn of the century Gothic and Classic Revival styles. Mr Ely, with his brother Hosea, was extremely successful and accumulated vast property holdings in the area. He also aided in organizing Planters & Merchants State Bank and Hearne Building & Loan Association. The house remained in the Ely family until 1980.
THC Survey

Wood-McCarver-Werner House
606 Cedar Street
Built about 1900 by Charles Glover Wood, who moved to Hearne in 1886 to manage the Watt Plantation. By astute business management, he and his wife Aurelia soon owned 3,000 acres. The house was purchased by Centennia Barnhouse McCarver for herself and her ten children with insurance money when her husband died in a train wreck. The house has remained in the McCarver family since that time, now owned by Jack & JoAnn Werner, who have restored the house to its original grandeur.
THC Survey

Brady-Ely-Henson-Pardo-Temple-Ortiz House
610 West Davis Street
House built about 1897 by Peter Louis Brady, former Hearne Mayor (1896-1919) and power plant owner. Owned by Hosea & Emma Ely 1909 - 1922. The house was quite elegant, had the city's first indoor bathroom. Owned by Billy & Mattie Henson 1922 to 1943 and Lone Star Gas 1943 - 1952, at which time it was purchased by W. R. Pardo. House is marvelous example of Victorian Gingerbread Cottage.
THC Survey

First Baptist Church
30 52 40 N / -96 35 36 W, 105 W. Davis Street, corner Davis & Magnolia, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Organized April 18, 1869, as 'Hearne Station Baptist Church', with eleven charter members. After great revivals under the Reverend 'Major' Penn, and a gift of a site by incorporation of Southern Pacific Railroad, a Sanctuary was built in 1877. Pastor H. R. Carroll and congregation laid the cornerstone September 2, 1907, for a new auditorium adopting the name 'First Baptist Church'. On January 23, 1966, present church was dedicated under leadership of the Reverend James E. Scirratt. This congregation organized and in 1969 erected a building for a Mexican Baptist Mission." [#10922/1969]
THC Marker

Top photo to left taken in July 1922; from a private collection.

Photos to right from History Of Robertson County, p. 261.

Britton-Easterwood-Chamberlain House
206 West Davis Street
Built in 1890s by G. F. Britton, house was originally Victorian Eastlake architecture with gingerbread, filigree, & sweeping porches with ornamental balustrades. The Easterwoods were prosperous merchants from Port Sullivan and purchased the house in 1903. In 1914, they remodeled the house in the Greek Revival style with six massive Doric columns in front, 4 on the side. "The Columns" remained in the Easterwood family until 1976, when it was purchased by Ed & Alice Chamberlain.
THC Survey

Bottom photo to right taken in 1922; in private collection.

Lewis-Glass-Allen-Cruse House
203 Barton Street
Original house built about 1873 by Adeline Hearne Lewis, was known as "Edgewood" and stood in the enter of entire block, high off the ground. In 1910, it was dismantled and moved over on lot and rebuilt into existing residence. Remained in family of prominent Hearne businessman W. C. Allen from 1922 until 1956 when it was purchased by Dr. & Mrs. Ray Cruse. The house retains much of its original interior styling and charm.

R. Emmett Rohde House
303 Barton Street
House was built in 1912 from plans purchased by owners Robert & Veda Rohde at the World's Fair & Exposition of that year held in California. The house reflects the new style shown at the World's Fair, "California Mission." The house, featuring solid walnut beams, beveled leaded glass cabinets and bookcases, and a unique two way staircase, was a showplace. 21 acres adjoined the house where Emmett had barns, stables, dog kennels, and a breeding farm for the area's first Hereford cattle. Rohde was a successful local businessman and a great lover or fox hunting, owning 15 Walker hounds purchased from his good friend, Wood Walker of Paint Linck, KY, the originator of the breed. House purchased and restored by Joe & Leslie Judkins Wilson.

Cummings House
1003 South Magnolia Street
Dr. and Mrs. Hatch Whitfield Cummings bought this house for $1,500 in 1905. He died in 1940, but Mrs. Hatch Whitfield "Pauline" Cummings lived there until 1968 when she died. Dr. & Mrs. Cummings made two additions to the house - the "North Room" (the bedroom off the living room) and the "Sleeping Porch" (off the kitchen). The Cummings' five children and some of their grandchildren grew up in this house. Dr. Cummings was one of the founders of Planters & Merchants State Bank and also Hearne Building and Loan Association. He was president of Robertson County Medical Association and later Texas Medical Association. He was also president of the Hearne School Board.

Old High School
Covering four plus blocks, the old high school property is bounded by Cedar Street, Wheelock Street, Cypress Street, and Lost Creek. The Hearne Independent School District is planning to move high school students to the site of the vacated Wal-Mart Building on Hwy. 79. When this move is complete in December 2003, middle school students currently attending classes in the old high school building will be moved to the old West Side School Building, which currently houses the high school. No information is available on the fate of the old high school building.

Norwood Cemetery
30 53 11.0 N / -96 35 18.1 W, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Though the oldest known grave on this site was made for Mary Stroud Bolton in 1870, the year it was deeded to the City of Hearne, stories persist that patients of the Sisters of Charity Hospital that once overlooked the cemetery were buried on this site. Among the nameless may be the Irish and Chinese immigrants who built the railroad in this region. Other significant burials include those of Confederate soldier C. W. Gardner and prominent area families Hearne and Lewis. Norwood Cemetery continues to be the primary burial site for the city." [#11755/1997]
THC Marker, Norwood Cemetery A-K, Norwood Cemetery L-Z

Saint Mary's Catholic Church
Old Church Building Pictured At Left

Brazos Manufacturing Company, C.S.A.
30 52 55.9 N / -96 34 44.2 W, east city limits on FM 391 in Hearne, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Established in 1863 on a Brazos River tributary. Intended to make flour and cloth of cotton and wool. Chartered by 9th Texas Legislature in all-out effort to supply the goods necessary to Confederate victory in the Civil War. To finance its purchases of machinery, materials and labor, Brazos Manufacturing Company received cotton from Texas planters, especially in this area. Subscription of a bale of cotton gave a planter the right to export one bale for his own benefit. Since neither factory nor farm had any other way to pay running expenses than by cotton sales, much cotton was donated to the corporation. This corporation met the fate of many others chartered by Texas during the Civil War. Although Brazos Manufacturing Company did help to clothe army and civilians, its production was small and was achieved too late in the war." [#10903/1965]
THC Marker

Rosie Lee Moore Grave, last living "Aunt Jemima"
Hammond Colony Cemetery, 9 miles east of Hearne near Black Jack Community
The last living person who played the role of Aunt Jemima for the Quaker Oats Company from 1950 - 1967 was Robertson County's own Rosie Lee Moore.
Rosie Lee Moore, Hammond Colony African American Cemetery

Suggs Cemetery
30 52 53 N / -96 31 59 W, 4 miles east of Hearne on FM 391 near Black Jack, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Calvin A. Suggs and his family came to Texas from Georgia in the late 1860s. They settled in this area about 1868 and Suggs purchased 80 acres of land. This cemetery was established on Suggs' land and has served as the principal burial ground for the Black Jack community for over a century. The oldest documented grave here is that of Jera William McWilliams who died on October 11, 1880. Many pioneer settlers of this area are interred in the Suggs Cemetery in marked and unmarked graves. It serves as a reminder of the area's early heritage." [#10952/1989]
THC Marker, Suggs Cemetery

Ebenezer Hearne Cemetery
30 49 57 N / -96 33 20 W, 5 miles south of Hearne on Old Hearne-Bryan Road, Map
Texas Historic Marker reads: "Located adjacent to the former mansion site of "Estate Place Plantation," owned by Ebenezer and Minerva Walker Hearne, this burial area contains graves of Ebenezer [1817-69] and Minerva [1815- ?] Hearne, their daughter Icephena Hearne Dunklin [1849-74] and several children, names not recorded; a landmark of pioneer days when the Hearne families [1850's settlers] opened cotton plantations that prospered the area. House of Horatio Hearne, the brother of Ebenezer, stood three miles to the south. Memorial plaque donated by descendants of Ebenezer Hearne." [#10919/1971]
THC Marker, Ebenezer Hearne Cemetery

Hearne Elementary School - GONE
Covering a full city block, this several story elementary school building formerly stood at the corner of Brown and Brenken Streets, where the Memorial Funeral Home is now located.

Photo to left contributed by Norman Lowell McCarver, Jr.

Hearne High School - GONE
This venerable old building served Hearne and its students for many years. Does anybody know where this school was located? If so, please contact William Kent Brunette.

Photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 297.

Beverly W. Beckham House - GONE
The Beverly W. Beckham house once occupied the spot where the Searcy-Fleming Clinic was located for many years at the corner of Bradford & West Magnolia Streets.

Photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 272.

Guenzel, Sanders, Beverly, Hostrasser, Armstrong, McLeroy House - GONE
This house, which formerly stood at the corner of Magnolia & Davis Streets, served as home to many different Hearne families.

Photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 266.

Waltmon, Karney House - GONE
501 Magnolia was the home of Mr. & Mrs. James W. Waltmon. It was on the property now occupied by The First Baptist Church Youth Center, diagonally across the street from Grace Methodist Church. After the death of James W. Waltmon, his wife made the home into a rooming and boarding house. Many of the school teachers in Hearne lived there. Later, the home was owned by Mr. & Mrs. F. W. C. Karney. Many Hearne students took piano lessons from Mrs. Karney in this house.

Photo to left from DeWitt Waltmon

Other Historic Cemeteries In & Near Hearne
Saint Mary Catholic, Saint Joseph or Jose Hispanic Catholic, Belcher-Stewart, Brown-Robb, Riverside African American, Tatnell African American, Zeig Sheet Metal, Scott, Camp Hearne,