Harwood, Texas facts for kids
Harwood is a fascinating ghost town located in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and it's no longer a busy community. In the year 2000, about 112 people were estimated to live in Harwood.
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Where is Harwood Located?
Harwood is found in the northern part of Gonzales County, Texas. You can find it along U.S. Highway 90, which is about one mile north of Interstate 10. The closest big city is San Antonio, which is about 60 miles to the west. 29°39′57″N 97°30′19″W / 29.66583°N 97.50528°W
The Story of Harwood: From Boom to Ghost Town
How Harwood Began
Harwood was started in 1874. This was during a time when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway was building its tracks westward across Texas. The town was named after Thomas Moore Harwood, who was a lawyer from a nearby town called Gonzales.
Before Harwood existed, there was a small community called Mule Creek about a mile to its west. Mule Creek even had its own post office from 1872 to 1874. But when Harwood was founded, it got its own post office, and Mule Creek's closed.
Harwood's Population Changes Over Time
By 1880, Harwood had about 155 people living there. This number grew quite a bit, reaching around 350 people by the early 1890s.
In 1913, the people of Harwood decided to officially become an incorporated town. They did this to stop a saloon from opening, as most residents didn't want it there. By 1920, the population was 200. It went up a little to 225 in 1930, but after that, Harwood slowly started to shrink.
Why Harwood Declined
One big reason for Harwood's decline was the decrease in cotton farming during the 1940s. Cotton had been a very important part of the local economy. As farming changed, fewer people were needed in the area.
The number of residents continued to drop:
- 157 people in 1950
- 132 people in 1960
- 112 people in 1970
During the 1970s, the town officially stopped being an incorporated city. By 1990, Harwood still had a large farm and ranch supply store, a few other businesses, and a community center that kept local memories alive. For the rest of the 20th century and into 2000, about 112 people still called Harwood home.
Harwood still has a post office today, and its ZIP code is 78632.
Learning in Harwood
Public schools for the community of Harwood are part of the Gonzales Independent School District.
Images for kids
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A view of the Harwood cemetery.
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Another look at the historic Harwood cemetery.
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The Harwood Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge building.
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Another angle of the Harwood Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge.
