Edgemont
W of Marshall, Marshall, TXEdgemont, an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture, is located in Harrison County, with several century-old plantation houses. Many of the mansions and raised cottages share the native materials of brick from local clay and hardwood timber. In the mid 1840s Montre- ville Hall, a prominent lawyer and Texas politician, contracted W.R.D. Ward to build Edgemont near Marshall, a city in Harrison County. Ward had constructed several structures in Marshall, such as Magnolia Hall (Nat'l Reg. submission "Old Pierce House", 4-13-73) and the First Methodist Church of Marshall. Edgemont entertained prominent Texas leaders, including the ex-governor Edward Clark, in grand style.
Montreville Hall, born in 1819 in Alabama, studied law at the University of Virginia before he left for Texas. When he arrived in Marshall, Texas in 1844 he bought 640 acres of. land three miles west of Marshall from Clark & Barton for $1000. This land was originally owned by George W. Morgan, who received it from the Republic of Texas for his service in the Republic's army. While W.R.D. Ward was building the house, during the mid-1840s, the Halls lived in a house built by William Barton, circa 1830. Slave labor built Edgemont of hand-pressed bricks made on the premises from native clay.
Montreville Hall was a prominent farmer, lawyer, and community leader of Harrison County. Highly regarded in the community he received numerous political appointments. He represented the people of Harrison County as a delegate to a people's convention for secession. When Gov. Houston. called, a special legislative session to empower the people's convention for secession Hall was the representative from Harrison County again.
Local significance of the building:
Montreville Hall, born in 1819 in Alabama, studied law at the University of Virginia before he left for Texas. When he arrived in Marshall, Texas in 1844 he bought 640 acres of. land three miles west of Marshall from Clark & Barton for $1000. This land was originally owned by George W. Morgan, who received it from the Republic of Texas for his service in the Republic's army. While W.R.D. Ward was building the house, during the mid-1840s, the Halls lived in a house built by William Barton, circa 1830. Slave labor built Edgemont of hand-pressed bricks made on the premises from native clay.
Montreville Hall was a prominent farmer, lawyer, and community leader of Harrison County. Highly regarded in the community he received numerous political appointments. He represented the people of Harrison County as a delegate to a people's convention for secession. When Gov. Houston. called, a special legislative session to empower the people's convention for secession Hall was the representative from Harrison County again.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, is one of the largest universities in the United States and has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. presidents.
About Harrison County
Harrison County Timeline
Harrison County, located in northeastern Texas, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Cherokee. In 1839, the Republic of Texas incorporated Harrison County, naming it after Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and Texas revolutionary. The county quickly became an important center for commerce and government.
During the mid-19th century, Harrison County played a significant role in the development of Texas. The discovery of oil in the nearby East Texas Oil Field in 1930 brought prosperity and growth to the county. This led to the establishment of several oil companies, driving economic development and creating job opportunities for local residents.
Harrison County was also deeply impacted by slavery and the Civil War. Prior to the war, the county was home to numerous large plantations that relied on enslaved labor for agricultural production. The war left a lasting impact on the county, which continued to struggle with racial tensions and inequality in the years following the war.
Today, Harrison County remains an important part of Texas history and boasts a diverse and vibrant community. The county is home to a number of historic sites, including the Texas and Pacific Railway Depot and the W.C. Dewberry Home and Museum, which showcase the area's rich cultural heritage. With its blend of history and modern progress, Harrison County continues to be a significant contributor to the growth and development of Texas.
During the mid-19th century, Harrison County played a significant role in the development of Texas. The discovery of oil in the nearby East Texas Oil Field in 1930 brought prosperity and growth to the county. This led to the establishment of several oil companies, driving economic development and creating job opportunities for local residents.
Harrison County was also deeply impacted by slavery and the Civil War. Prior to the war, the county was home to numerous large plantations that relied on enslaved labor for agricultural production. The war left a lasting impact on the county, which continued to struggle with racial tensions and inequality in the years following the war.
Today, Harrison County remains an important part of Texas history and boasts a diverse and vibrant community. The county is home to a number of historic sites, including the Texas and Pacific Railway Depot and the W.C. Dewberry Home and Museum, which showcase the area's rich cultural heritage. With its blend of history and modern progress, Harrison County continues to be a significant contributor to the growth and development of Texas.
Harrison County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Harrison County, Texas.
- 1839 - Harrison County established as a county in the Republic of Texas
- 1840 - Marshall becomes the county seat of Harrison County
- 1861-1865 - Harrison County residents serve in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
- 1873 - Great Fire of Marshall destroys much of the city
- 1881 - First telephone exchange established in Marshall
- 1902 - Texas and Pacific Railway brings economic growth to the county
- 1930s - Oil discovery leads to an economic boom in Harrison County
- 1979 - East Texas Oil Museum opens in Kilgore, showcasing the region's oil industry
- 2005 - Hurricane Rita causes significant damage to the county
- 2020 - Present day