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The county seat of Waller County is Hempstead, TX, located on US Highway 290, right at the junction with State Highways 6 and 159. Houston is located about fifty miles away, making Hempstead a great choice if you prefer to commute to a larger city.
The founders of Hempstead, Dr. Richard Rogers Peebles and James W. McDade, set up the Hempstead Town Company on December 29, 1856 and began selling lots for their town immediately. They had decided to sell these lots at what was to be the terminus for the Houston and Texas Central Railway, when it was completed.
The name of Hempstead comes from Dr. Peebles brother-in-law, Dr. G.S.B. Hempstead who lived in Portsmouth, OH. Dr. Peebles and his wife, Mary Ann Groce Peebles gave 2,000 acres of land from the Jarod E. Groce, Jr. estate and Mary Ann assisted in laying out the town.
In 1858, the Houston and Texas Central Railway built an extension to Hempstead and the town incorporated that year. Hempstead became a shipping center and was key to the shipping of goods from the Gulf region to the interior of Texas. A new railroad, the Washington County Railroad, was built from Hempstead to Brenham, further solidifying its position as a shipping and distribution center.
During the Civil War years, Hempstead was a Confederate town and served as a supply and manufacturing center. The town also provided a military hospital, and three Confederate camps were located nearby. After the war, Hempstead was occupied for a time by Federal Troops and Yellow Fever frequently ravaged the area. However, through all of this strife of war, occupation and disease, the town hung on.
After the war, the location of the town and its nearby cotton production facilities increased the wealth of the town. It became an important center for transportation of goods from all over the country. As times changed, Hempstead evolved as well. Produce replaced cotton as the main products being shipped and as highways were built, more residents came into the area.
Although the town was prosperous, it was not without its problems. The town had been unincorporated in 1899 and it wasn’t until 1935 that it was reincorporated. Unrest with the KKK, the Radical Republicans, Greenbackers, prohibitionists, and Populists earned the town the moniker of “Six Shooter Junction” during the first few decades of the 20 th century. Things settled down towards the middle of the century and its been smooth sailing ever since.
If you enjoy history, Hempstead is a great place to rent an apartment. There are many different historical markers throughout the town and each year, the Waller County Fair is held in September. Hempstead is rich in history and its proximity to Houston means you’ll be just minutes away from the all excitement of a large city, without having to live in a metropolitan area.
If you are interested in an apartment in Houston, feel free to contact us.
