Brandon, Texas, Hill County. (original) (raw)
Hill County, North Central Texas
32� 2' 45" N, 96� 57' 38" W (32.045833, -96.960556)
Intersection of State Hwy 22 and FM 1243
About 10 Miles E of Hillsboro
ZIP code 76628
Population: 80 est. (2010, 2000, 1990)
(Former) Brandon School Building
Texas Community Improvement Program Building
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2010
History in a Pecan Shell
Originally part of Navarro County, a post office was opened near here in 1852 and given the name of White Rock. A year later, with the formation of Hill County, the small community was within the Hill County lines.
After the Civil War, the name of the post office was changed (several other communities were named White Rock) to Jackson. The final change of name occurred in 1873 when Dr. (dentist) J. R. Harrington named the town Brandon and became the community�s postmaster.
As a result of its location on the Hillsboro to Corsicana road, Brandon grew. The railroad arrived in 1888 but missed the town by a mile. The community didn�t have any problem with relocation, but a suggested change of name (to Ferguson) didn�t fly.
The brand new town with the old name only counted 75 residents in 1890, but its place on the map was assured. It incorporated in 1892 and a new school was built. By 1914, Brandon had a respectable population of 450 which fell to 260 during the worst years of the Great Depression. In 1936 the railroad pulled up tracks and remaining businesses left or closed. By 1980, the number of residents had fallen to just 80 � where it remained for the 1990, 2000 and 2010 census.
A cemetery remains in the original town of Brandon.
Schoolhouse/TCIP Building entrance
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2010
Old Brandon Mill (1 1/2 Miles SW)
historical marker
Junction of Hwy 22 and FM 1243
in front of the old school
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2010
Historical Marker:
Old Brandon Mill
One of earliest grist mills in Hill County. Built (1868) by Dr. Jas. T. Harrington, who also founded town of Brandon. Corn meal, basic to settlers' diet, was ground here.
Dr. Harrington built a dam on White Rock Creek near here as a water source for power in the millhouse. His grist mill served a wide area for nearly 50 years.
A grist mill was a primary need in every early community. Where bread could be made, settlements thrived. A good water supply and a grist mill were essential to a successful town.
Today only stone foundations of Old Brandon Mill remain.
1967
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