Sky Watch Friday: Water Tower

Water tower by the Kwianis Park.

I know the sky has a red tint to it but  it does looks like a sandstorm is blowing in. Actually it was a nice day. I’ve been having trouble with the network today so this is going to be a short post.

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My World Tuesday: Snapshots of Hamilton

Today’s My World Tuesday features photos from Hamilton most taken prior to 1950.

Rice Street, West side of Courthouse Square, Hamilton. The picture is from a postcard supplied by H. L. Griffith, Griffith is a descendant of Jesse Jones Griffith, First Treasurer of Hamilton County, TX.

South side of Hamilton Square prior to 1930. The Wm. Connolly & Co. Groceries & Dry Goods store can be seen on the left. Notice that the street has both cars and horse drawn wagons. Contributed by H.L. Griffith.

Hope you enjoyed this little jaunt back in time.

Be sure to visit the That’s My World! blog.

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My World Tuesday: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church began in 1868 in the home of Mrs. E. D. Bell. Among the first itinerant Episcopal Clergymen who came to Hamilton was Bishop Gregg in 1873. In 1874 The Right Reverend Alexander C. Garrett of the Missionary District of North Texas scheduled regular visits to Hamilton several times each year. Services were later held in the Presbyterian Church–the first church in Hamilton to build a church building.

In 1888 a Ladies Guild was formed. The first project of the guild was to raise money to build a church. Major C. W. Cotton gave the land on which the church was built in 1891 using the Carpenter Gothic style of architecture. E. R. Williams, John L. Spurlin, and S. D. Felt comprised the building committee. By 1896 the finishing touches on the building were completed and Bishop Garrett came from Dallas. St. Mary’s is the oldest church to remain on its original location in Hamilton. Rev. Father Ronald Baker, Vicar, rebuilt and installed an antique Estey pipe organ and presented the organ as a gift to the church at his ordination service about 1985. to consecrate the building. In 1950 an Austin stone Parish House with an auditorium, kitchenette, Sunday School rooms, and pastor’s study was added at the east end of the original church building.

Ernest Robert Williams was Sunday School superintendent for more than twenty years. Mrs. S. D. Felt was organist and choir director for twenty-seven years. Mrs. J. T. James was president of the Ladies Guild for twenty-four years. Some other members have been Cecil B. James, Dr. Charles C. Baker, Jr., M. Brents Witty, Mrs. Katherine (Baker) Witty, Mrs. Nora Katherine (Henderson) Teague, Robert Miller, Malcolm G. James, John C. Latham, Calvin Thomas, and Mrs. Flora Emma (Briggs) Blitz — ECW

More About St. Mary’s Episcopal Church:

• History of St. Mary’s Protestant Episcopal Church from Hamilton County News, June 1934

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Sky Watch Friday: Bridges of Hamilton County

Ok, I couldn’t resist the pun with the title.  Several old bridges from the county have been moved to Pecan Creek Park awaiting refurbishment. — DEH

Bulman Bridge

The Bulman Bridge was located on the north side of the Leon River ten miles east of Hamilton near Rock House in the community named at various times Pulltight, Busyton, Snow Creek, Old Hamilton, and Rock Church. Rev. Henry Jefferson Bulman came to Hamilton County in 1871 where he bought a farm on the Leon River twelve miles east of Hamilton. The Bulman Bridge was named in his honor. The Bulman and other old bridges have been relocated to the Pecan Creek Park in Hamilton. — ECW

Looking up from underneath the bridge.

Can you see me?

Looking down 2 of the bridges.

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My World Tuesday: Pictorial History of First Baptist Church Hamilton, Texas

Baptist work in Hamilton began in the fall of 1873. Hamilton Missionary Baptist Church was admitted to the Leon River Association the following year. The church met in a school until 1882 when it begin meeting in the Presbyterian Church building. FBC’s current property on S. Bell Street was purchased in 1888. In 1896 FBC began constructing its first building. — DEH

Origninal FBC Hamilton Building

Built in 1896-1897

Constructed of native stone by James Malcolm “Jim” Tomlinson. When this building was destroyed by fire  on 6 February, 1924, the Baptists met in the courthouse until a brick building could be completed in 1925. — ECW

Donated by George Morrow Carlton after the eath of his wife Fronia in 1921. Mr. Carlton’s second wife, Mrs. Marcie Wysong was organist for many years.

Building was completed in February, 1925 and burned 27 May, 1970. South side of building. Auditorium was on the second floor.

Southwest Corner of building.

The current FBC Building was dedicated August 1971

The Seth & Mabell Moore and John Crea McCaleb Youth and Family Life Center was decicated March 31, 1996.

More About FBC Hamilton:

• Sky Watch Friday: First Baptist Church Hamilton, Texas
• PASTORS
• CHURCH CLERKS
• MESSENGERS TO THE ANNUAL ASSOCIATION MEETING
• IN MEMORIAM: Deceased members of the Baptist churches comprising the HCBA/HCMBA/HBA were remembered during each annual session. Since 1906 the names of those who died between the annual sessions of HCBA were printed in the published minutes.
• A HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HAMILTON, TX, 1873 – 1998
• YEAR BY YEAR, 1873 – 1899
• YEAR BY YEAR, 1900 – 1925
• YEAR BY YEAR 1926 – 1950
• YEAR BY YEAR 1951 – 1975
• YEAR BY YEAR 1976 – 1998
• A HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HAMILTON

Be sure to visit the That’s My World! blog.

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Sky Watch Friday: First Baptist Church Hamilton, Texas

First Baptist Church Hamilton, Texas -- DH

The Baptists in Hamilton trace their beginning to 1873. Dr. Donavan Duncan Tidwell recorded the history of a ten-day revival held during the Fall of 1873 in Hamilton by Daniel Babb, Edmund Eldred Sellers and R. S. Underwood. As the result of this revival three people were baptized into the nearest Baptist Church–the Leon Baptist Church (No. 1), seven miles east of  Hamilton.

The Hamilton Missionary Baptist Church with eighteen members was admitted to the Leon River Association in 1874. Captain Alfred Hayne Watson, the Hamilton school teacher, invited the church which was to become First Baptist Church to meet in the school building which was in the 500 block of East Henry. After 1882 the Presbyterian Church invited the Baptists to share their building for their monthly meeting.

Members of Hamilton Baptist Church attended the 4 July, 1877, meeting in Cottonwood Springs School when the Hamilton County Baptist Association (HCBA) was constituted.  Since Hamilton Baptist Church was a member of the Leon River Baptist Association, it could not become a charter member of HCBA. Hamilton Baptist Church was dismissed by letter from the Leon River Baptist Association on 10 September, 1877.  At the first annual meeting of Hamilton County Baptist Association at Plum Creek Baptist Church on 12 October, 1877, Hamilton Baptist Church was admitted to HCBA.

On August 24, 1888, Alfred Haynes Watson, W. W. Kilpatrick, George H. Robbins, S. J. Allen, and G. R. Freeman, trustees of the Baptist Church in Hamilton purchased Lot No. 3, in Block No. 11 of the original town of Hamilton from Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Walker for $30 for the church. It was not until 1896 that a church building was erected on this property on South Bell. The first Baptist Church building in the village of Hamilton was a native stone edifice constructed by James Malcolm “Jim” Tomlinson. [This building was still being built in June, 1897. – ECW

The current FBC building pictured above was built in 1971. — DH

More About FBC Hamilton:

• My World Tuesday: A Pictorical History of First Baptist Church Hamilton, Texas
• PASTORS
• CHURCH CLERKS
• MESSENGERS TO THE ANNUAL ASSOCIATION MEETING
• IN MEMORIAM: Deceased members of the Baptist churches comprising the HCBA/HCMBA/HBA were remembered during each annual session. Since 1906 the names of those who died between the annual sessions of HCBA were printed in the published minutes.
• A HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HAMILTON, TX, 1873 – 1998
• YEAR BY YEAR, 1873 – 1899
• YEAR BY YEAR, 1900 – 1925
• YEAR BY YEAR 1926 – 1950
• YEAR BY YEAR 1951 – 1975
• YEAR BY YEAR 1976 – 1998

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My World Tuesday: Pecan Creek Park

Note: Today’s entry is includes lots of photos.

On 14 November, 1987, Pecan Creek Park was dedicated. A seven-year project of the Woman’s Council, Pecan Creek Park extends for 10 blocks –12 acres– along Pecan Creek. The park included trails, six clear span arch bridges, three cameo recreational areas, multi-purpose pavilions, playground equipment, and picnic areas. Included in the project were Schadler Meadow–featuring playground equipment, picnic areas, and restrooms, north of the municipal swimming pool; Park Plaza–pavilion, specially-designed lighting for night-time use, south of park headquarters; and Schrank Park–pavilion, restrooms, hillside slide, swings, and picnic area. — ECW

Recently, the newest addition to Pecan Creek Park was built.  The park facilities run along Pecan Creek as it meanders through Hamilton. It is a project that has taken several years to complete and is a work in progress. — DH

New entry to Pecan Creek Park.

Looking out the front entry of the park.

New playground.

Baseball/Softball fields.

The new park even includes a skate park.

One of several old bridges in the park waiting to be restored or used somehow.

Pecan Creek Headquarters Building.

The park headquarters was located in the oldest commercial building in Hamilton, a restored stone building which originally was a grist mill on Pecan Creek. For many years this building was used as an office and warehouse by Robert Bernard “R. B.” Miller,Sr. Distributor of Gulf Oil Products and Firestone Tires and Batteries. — ECW

Be sure to visit the That’s My World! blog.

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