Hemphill County

Hemphill County Offices

Hemphill County Town List

Hemphill County, Texas, is named after John Hemphill, a confederation congressional representative, and a judge. The county was established in 1876 but later organized in 1887. Most residents opt to work from home or go out of state for employment. 

The county seat is a Canadian town famous for its oil wells. It has an estimated population of 1,000 residents. It also has two schools, one elementary school, and one high school, both within walking distance of each other. 

Read through for more information about Hemphill county.  

Hemphill County History 

The county dates back to the 18th century when the first settlers arrived. In 1785, James Robertson settled near present-day Beaumont. Later he moved his family to what would become known as Robersonville.  

By 1800, over 100 families were living in this area. During the early 19th century, many of these pioneers came westward along the San Antonio River valley. Many of those who stayed behind built homes around the old Spanish missions.  

One of the largest settlements was located just north of the river, where today stands the city of Beaumont. In 1836, the Republic of Texas formed and became independent from Mexico. At the time, the region had been part of the Nacogdoches District under Mexican rule. 

Indians were also among the early settlers but were later displaced by white men. After the Civil War ended, the land was opened up for settlement. A number of new towns sprang up throughout the county. 

Among the earliest communities founded were Grapeland, Caney Creek, and Lufkin. All three have since grown into major cities. Today, they remain important centers of commerce and industry. 

In 1879, the Houston & Great Northern Railroad Company began construction of tracks between Galveston and Shreveport. When completed, the railroad ran through much of eastern Hemphill County.   

It connected the Gulf Coast port of Arthur to the rest of the country via railroads running eastward toward Dallas and Fort Worth.  

As more people migrated to the area during the late 1880s, the population grew rapidly. In 1890, the town of Orange Grove was incorporated. Two years later, it annexed neighboring areas until its boundaries extended almost one mile beyond the original town limits.   

County Offices 

Hemphill County offices help citizens access services provided by the county government. These include: 

Judges Office: This office provides legal advice and helps with civil cases. Judge George Briant supervises the office. They can be reached at 806-323-6521. 

Clerk/Recorder’s Office – Provides public records, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, property deeds, etc. The current clerk is Lisa Johnson. You can reach the office at 806-323-6212. 

Sheriff’s Office– Serves as a law enforcement agency and protects citizens against theft and harassment. The sheriff in charge is Brent Clapp. Call the office at 911 or (806)323-5326 for non-emergency. 

Tax Assessor-Collector – Collects taxes on behalf of the county and distributes them among local governments. The current collector in charge is Chris Jackson. He can be reached at 806-323-6661. 

Treasurer–Manages all financial affairs of the county and ensures the funds collected are properly accounted for and disbursed according to laws and regulations. The treasurer in charge is Kay Smallwood. You can call 806-323-6671.  

County Attorney – Represents the interests of the State before courts and administrative agencies. The current attorney is Kyle Miller. Contact the office at 806-323-5521. 

Attractions in Hemphill County 

Tourism plays an important role in the economy of Hemphill County. Numerous attractions within the county draw visitors from across the state and nation. Some of the most popular tourist destinations include: 

River Valley Pioneer Museum: Located along the banks of the Neches River near downtown Tyler, this museum features exhibits about the history of the river valley region. 

Nacogdoches National Historic Park–Located just outside of Nacogdoches, this park preserves many historic buildings dating back to the 1800s. Visitors can tour the old courthouse where John F Kennedy once served as a district judge. 

Fort Bend Museum Complex-Located north of Rosenberg, this complex includes several museums dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the Brazos River Region. 

Lake Marvin-It offers boating, fishing, camping, swimming, hiking, picnicking, bird watching, nature trails, and other recreational activities. 

Canadian River Historic Wagon Bridge- This bridge was built over the Canadian River in 1911. Today, it serves as a pedestrian walkway connecting two parks located on opposite sides of the river.   

Financial Transparency 

Transparency is key, so the county government is committed to sharing all financial records for transparency. The following ways are useful for transparency: 

Utility reports: Utility bills are reports filed monthly by each utility company showing usage amounts and charges. These reports may be obtained online. 

Payroll Reports: Payroll information shows how much money has been paid out to employees during the month. It also lists employee hours worked and total pay received. To view payroll information, you must request access to the personnel file. 

Treasurer reports: Monthly reports show income earned through sales tax collections, property tax payments, etc., and expenditures made by the treasurer’s department. 

Audit Report- An annual report detailing audit findings and recommendations. 

Tax rate- A list of taxable properties with their assessed value and amount owed per year. 

Annual Financial Audit: Each fiscal year, the comptroller audits the books to ensure accuracy and completeness. 

Elections in Hemphill County  

Elections in Hemphill County occur after every four years, on a Tuesday following the first Monday of November. The county is divided into three districts for elections: District 1, District 2, and 3. Each district elects one representative to the state House of Representatives. In addition, each district has two at-large seats that are elected by all voters statewide. 

Voter registration statistics can be found from the Texas Secretary of State’s office. Ensure your details are accurate before you register. If you have any questions about voter registrations or voting procedures, please contact your local election officials.  

The official website of the Texas Elections Division provides information regarding candidates running for public offices and links to other websites with more detailed information. 

Conclusion 

Although Hemphill is dry, it is a wonderful business opportunity for the right person. The county has an excellent school system, and many businesses are located there.  

It also offers great hunting opportunities with over 100 species of game, including deer, turkey, dove, quail, squirrels, rabbits, pheasant, grouse, ducks, geese, etc. There are several lakes that offer fishing as well.