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Michael has a BA in History & American Studies and an MSc in American History from the University of Edinburgh. He comes from a proud military family and has spent most of his career as an educator in the Middle East and Asia. His passion is travel, and he seizes any opportunity to share his experiences in the most immersive way possible, whether at sea or on the land.

Part of our in-depth series exploring Texas Forest Trail Region Forts

Map of Hardin County

Topics (click on a topic to jump to that section).
Bragg, C.S.A., General Braxton | Hardin County | Hardin-Concord Road | Sour Lake C.S.A. | Wildwood Heritage Society Museum
General Braxton Bragg, C.S.A.

Marker Title: General Braxton Bragg, C.S.A.
City: Kountze
County: Hardin
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Location: SH 326, Hardin County Courthouse
Marker Text: (1817-1876) American military leader honored in this county in name of an early town (12 mi. W). Born in North Carolina, Bragg was in Texas in 1840s with army of General Zachary Taylor, to fight in Mexican War. Made a brigadier general of the Confederacy, 1861, he won renown by capturing many guns and prisoners at Shiloh (1862), and for Southern victory in Battle of Chickamauga (1863). He was respected as a strong disciplinarian, a devoted patriot, and a man with a stern sense of duty. Serving as military advisor (1863-1865) to President Jefferson Davis, he traveled with President Davis after Confederate surrender on a suggested escape route, but was captured by Federals and paroled in Georgia in May 1865. After an 1866-1870 term as Alabama commissioner of public works, he moved to Galveston. There he was chief engineer in charge of construction of Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway, chartered May 28, 1873. When the G. C. & S. F. built into this area, a junction point on the line was named for General Bragg. The 1901-1934 town of Bragg (now a ghost site) had many facilities serving the Saratoga Oil Field. This was one of many towns (and counties) in Texas named for statesmen, military leaders and soldiers.

Hardin County

Marker Title: Hardin County
City: Kountze
County: Hardin
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: SH 326 and Redwood St. at Courthouse
Marker Text: Created January 22, 1858; organized August 9, 1858. Named in honor of the Hardins of Liberty County, five brothers-- Benjamin Watson, Augustine Blackburn, William, Franklin and Milton A. who came to Texas in 1825. County seat, Hardin, 1858-1887; Kountze, since.

Hardin-Concord Road

Marker Title: Hardin-Concord Road
City: Kountze
County: Hardin
Year Marker Erected: 1971
Marker Location: US 69, 7 mi. south of Kountze
Marker Text: (In use 1859-1900) One of oldest landmarks in area. Formed by wagon and horseback travel from early settlements on Pine Island Bayou (to the SE) to Hardin, first county seat. Much of old road can be traced today. The highway crosses its course here.

Sour Lake C.S.A.

Marker Title: Sour Lake C.S.A.
City: Sour Lake
County: Hardin
Year Marker Erected: 1964
Marker Location: 1.5 mi W of Sour Lake on SH 105
Marker Text: Early-day health resort, with baths that attracted such Texans as Gen. Sam Houston. The healing waters had been used for years by the Indians. One spring's water, with high sulphuric acid content, primed telegraph batteries during the Civil War. This was of vital importance, for at best telegraph service was limited. Started in 1854, the 1861-65 system went on from Shreveport to Marshall all the way to Houston, and from Houston to Galveston to Orange. A 20-word telegram sent from Shreveport to Houston in February 1865 cost $36.

Wildwood Heritage Society Museum

Museum Name: Wildwood Heritage Society Museum
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 609
City: Village Mills
Zip Code: 77663
Street Address: Wildwood Lodge
Area Code: 409
Phone: 834-2866
County: Hardin
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Science, Art, Natural History, Archaeology, Photos, Historical, Local/Pioneer History

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