Harwood, Texas
Encyclopedia
Harwood is an unincorporated community
in Gonzales County
, Texas
, United States
. According to the Handbook of Texas
, the community had an estimated population of 112 in 2000.
in northern Gonzales County, approximately one mile north of Interstate 10
. The nearest major city is San Antonio
, located 60 miles to the west.
. At the time of its founding, a community known as Mule Creek was located one mile west of Harwood. A post office operated in Mule Creek from 1872 to 1874, when Harwood was granted a post office. By 1880, Harwood had an estimated population of 155. That figure had grown to 350 by the early 1890s. To prevent the opening of a saloon that was opposed by most local residents, Harwood was incorporated in 1913. The population was 200 at the 1920 census. After rising to 225 in 1930, Harwood slowly declined. Cotton production, which had been a major element of the local economy, decreased during the 1940s. The number of residents living in Harwood fell to 157 in 1950, 132 in 1960, and 112 in 1970. The town disincorporated during the 1970s. By 1990, Harwood had one large farm and ranch supply store, several businesses, and a community center with a collection of local memorabilia. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century and into 2000, Harwood was home to approximately 112 residents.
Although it is unincorporated, Harwood has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78632.
.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Gonzales County
Gonzales County, Texas
Gonzales County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,628. It is named for its seat, the city of Gonzales.-History Timeline:* Paleo-Indians Hunter-gatherers, and later Coahuiltecan, Tonkawa, Karankawa...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. According to the Handbook of Texas
Handbook of Texas
The Handbook of Texas is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association .-History:...
, the community had an estimated population of 112 in 2000.
Geography
Harwood is located at 29°39′57"N 97°30′19"W (29.6657863, -97.5052724). It is situated along U.S. Highway 90U.S. Route 90
U.S. Route 90 is an east–west United States highway. Despite the "0" in its route number, U.S. 90 never was a full coast-to-coast route; it has always ended at Van Horn, Texas. A short-lived northward extension to U.S...
in northern Gonzales County, approximately one mile north of Interstate 10
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
. The nearest major city is San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, located 60 miles to the west.
History
The community was founded in 1874 during the westward expansion of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway. It was named after Thomas Moore Harwood, a lawyer from nearby GonzalesGonzales, Texas
Gonzales is a city in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,202 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gonzales County.-Geography:Gonzales is located at...
. At the time of its founding, a community known as Mule Creek was located one mile west of Harwood. A post office operated in Mule Creek from 1872 to 1874, when Harwood was granted a post office. By 1880, Harwood had an estimated population of 155. That figure had grown to 350 by the early 1890s. To prevent the opening of a saloon that was opposed by most local residents, Harwood was incorporated in 1913. The population was 200 at the 1920 census. After rising to 225 in 1930, Harwood slowly declined. Cotton production, which had been a major element of the local economy, decreased during the 1940s. The number of residents living in Harwood fell to 157 in 1950, 132 in 1960, and 112 in 1970. The town disincorporated during the 1970s. By 1990, Harwood had one large farm and ranch supply store, several businesses, and a community center with a collection of local memorabilia. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century and into 2000, Harwood was home to approximately 112 residents.
Although it is unincorporated, Harwood has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78632.
Education
Public education in the community of Harwood is provided by the Gonzales Independent School DistrictGonzales Independent School District
Gonzales Independent School District is a public school district based in Gonzales, Texas .Located in Gonzales County, a small portion of the district extends into Caldwell County....
.