Barnett-Hamrick Settlement, 1855-1895

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, and the way I'm tellin' it now, this is the story of a family that showed up and changed everything about this corner of San Saba County. John W. Barnett brought his family out here, and they didn't come alone.

With them came two sons-in-law, Burrell L. Hamrick and Tom P. L.

Hamrick, and together this group settled a large tract of land right here. From that settlement, a community took shape, and they gave it a name: Simpson Creek. Now here's the part that deserves a moment of quiet appreciation.

These folks were the first in the area to farm. Not just to scratch at the ground and hope for rain, but to irrigate their crops. First to do it.

In this part of the country, in the 1850s, that kind of thinking was not common. Water management, planned cultivation, a whole approach to the land that other folks in the area simply hadn't done yet. The Barnetts and the Hamricks were doing it.

They were active in local commerce, too. And when San Saba County needed organizing, this family helped make that happen. The first camp meeting in the area was held here.

One of the first schools, too. From roughly 1855 to 1895, the name Barnett-Hamrick meant something on this land. A family that farmed it, watered it, traded on it, schooled children on it, and gathered in faith on it.

You pass a place like this and it looks like quiet countryside. But the ground remembers who got here first and what they built.

What the marker says

John W. Barnett and family with sons-in-law, Burrell L. and Tom P. L. Hamrick settled large tract of land here. Founded community of Simpson Creek. Were first in area to farm as well to irrigate crops. Were active in local commerce. Helped organize county. First camp meeting and one of first schools were held here.