Hankamer, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hankamer, Texas
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 Hankamer, Texas
Location in Texas
Hankamer, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Chambers |
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 409 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1337306 |
Hankamer is a small community in northern Chambers County, Texas, in the United States. It's not an official city, but a populated place. In 2000, about 525 people lived there. Hankamer is part of the larger Greater Houston area.
Contents
History of Hankamer
How Hankamer Got Its Name
The community of Hankamer is named after I. A. Hankamer. He was an early settler in the area. His family played a big role in the region's history.
Early Development and Rice Farming
In 1900, the Hankamer-Stowell Canal Company started. It was also called the Farmers Canal Company. This company helped irrigate many rice fields in Chambers County. This new way of farming changed life for the people living there. Four years later, in 1904, Hankamer got its own post office.
Oil Discovery and Growth
For a while, the population of Hankamer stayed small. But everything changed in 1929. That year, the Hankamer oilfield was discovered nearby in Liberty County. This discovery brought more people and jobs to the area. By the mid-1930s, Hankamer had about 200 residents. There were also four businesses operating. An R. H. Harlow sawmill also created more jobs.
Later Years and Population Changes
More oil and gas were found in the Hankamer area later on. However, by 1970, the population of this spread-out community was less than 200 people. In 1983, there were six businesses serving the residents of Hankamer. The population was 189 in 1990. By 2000, it had grown to 525 people.
The Hankamer Family's Journey
I. A. Hankamer was the first postmaster. He was the son of John William Hankamer (1834-1907). John William came to Texas in 1845. He traveled from Prussia to Galveston on a ship called the Harriet. He came with his brothers Charles and Frederick, his mother Johannette, and his stepfather John Stengler. They became citizens of the Republic of Texas. The family first planned to settle near New Braunfels or Fredericksburg. But they heard about trouble with Native Americans. So, they decided to settle north of Anahuac instead. Today, a grandson of I. A. Hankamer still lives in the original family home in Hankamer.
Where is Hankamer?
Hankamer is located where two roads meet. These roads are Texas State Highway 61 and Farm to Market Road 1663. It is about 40 mi (64 km) southwest of Beaumont. This area is in the northern part of Chambers County.
Schools in Hankamer
The Anahuac Independent School District is in charge of the schools in the Hankamer area.
Famous Person from Hankamer
- Bert Whittington IV, a basketball guard for the 2007–08 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team.
