National Register Listing

Hardin, R.F.,High School

1009 Hall St., Brownwood, TX
Constructed in 1917 of salvaged materials from the city's school for white children, R. F. Hardin High School is the last surviving building associated with the education of African Americans during the early years of school segregation in Brownwood. Until 1960, it was the only school in the Brownwood Independent School District for African American children. Architect Henry Mount designed the Romanesque Revival style building. The school is a fine example of the "separate but equal" educational system and is therefore nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in the areas of Education and Ethnic Heritage/Black and for architecture at a local level of significance.

HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION IN BROWN COUNTY, 1886-1970 In 1935-36
African Americans represented only 4.8% of the general population of Brown County. The few blacks who lived in the county resided in the urban centers since African Americans were not permitted to live in the rural areas of the county." This probably accounts for the fact that Brownwood was the only school for black children even as late as 1960. From 1910 to 1936, the greatest number of black scholastics reported was 144, whereas the greatest number of white scholastics was 3126 during the same period. However, the Great Depression caused a dramatic decline in the already small black scholastic population. Blacks were forced to seek employment in larger cities or on farms." By 1933-34, the scholastic population had dropped to 52.

Education for Brown County's black children can be traced back to the efforts of George Smith who came to Brownwood in 1885. Smith rented the servant's quarters at 1213 Dale Street upon his arrival to Brownwood. His quarters were not far from Tannehill Street where a small community of black families lived. He soon realized that there was no school for the small population of black children. George, who had served as a trustee for Colored District No. 1 in Tom Green County in 1881, used this opportunity to create a school for black children in Brownwood.

First African American School in Brownwood, 1886
George Smith approached the school board with his vision and agreed to take an examination to qualify him as a public school teacher. He passed the required studies and established the first school in Brownwood for African-American children. He became the school's first principal and teacher in 1886. Smith conducted class beneath a "brush arbor" in his yard and used his home as a classroom.
Local significance of the building:
Education; Black; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

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.

education ethnic heritage black architecture
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The first oil well in the United States was drilled in Texas in 1859. The discovery of oil transformed the economy of the state and helped to make Texas one of the wealthiest states in the nation.
Texas random facts
Brown County, Texas, located in the central part of the state, holds a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. The area was inhabited by various Native American groups, including the Apache and Comanche, prior to European settlement. In the early 1800s, Spanish explorers ventured into the region, followed by American explorers and traders in the early 1830s.

The county was officially established on August 27, 1856, and was named after Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander during the Texas Revolution. During the mid-19th century, the area experienced rapid growth and development. The arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1885 significantly boosted the local economy, leading to a population increase and new opportunities for trade.

Throughout its history, Brown County has been primarily agricultural-based, with cotton being a major crop during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s also brought prosperity to the region. As the county developed, schools, churches, and other infrastructure were established, contributing to the growth and overall wellbeing of the community.

Brown County has faced its fair share of challenges as well. Like many other areas in Texas, it struggled during the Great Depression, but gradually recovered with the help of various New Deal programs. In recent years, the county has focused on diversifying its economy, with industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing becoming more prominent.

Today, Brown County maintains its historical charm and offers a mix of rural landscapes and urban conveniences. It continues to preserve its heritage through various cultural events and historical sites, including the Brown County Museum of History. As the county moves forward, it strives to balance growth with its strong sense of community and appreciation for its past.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Brown County, Texas.

  • 1800s: Brown County was initially inhabited by Comanche and Kiowa Native American tribes.
  • 1849: The County was originally established by the Texas Legislature and named after Henry Stevenson Brown, a Republic of Texas militia major killed at the Battle of Velasco during the Texas Revolution.
  • 1856: The first permanent settlement was established in the county, known as Brownwood, named after Henry Stevenson Brown.
  • 1867: The county was officially organized, and Brownwood became the county seat.
  • 1885: The arrival of the Texas Central Railroad in Brownwood facilitated growth and development in the county.
  • 1903: Howard Payne College, now known as Howard Payne University, was founded in Brownwood.
  • Early 1900s: Cotton and livestock farming were the primary economic activities in Brown County.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression deeply impacted the county's economy, leading to a decline in population and prosperity.
  • 1950s: The discovery of oil and gas reserves brought an economic boom to Brown County.
  • 1970: Lake Brownwood was constructed as a recreational reservoir in the county.
  • 1997: The expansion of Howard Payne University included the renovation and construction of various campus facilities.