DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker says about the Hogan Funeral Home in Brenham, Washington County. Now, some stories begin with a single step in a particular direction, and this one begins in 1914, on South Park Street in Brenham, Texas. A man named Columbus H.
Hogan — noted Texas educator, mind you, not just any fellow wandering into business — became a founding partner in something called the Washington County Undertaking Co. And right from the start, you need to understand what that meant. It was the only funeral home in all of Washington County serving African Americans.
The only one. Hogan eventually became sole proprietor and changed the name — Hogan Funeral Home — simple, direct, unmistakable. But here's the thing about this operation that'll stop you in your tracks.
Local hospitals were segregated at the time, and so this funeral home extended ambulance service clear out to other cities — Houston, Galveston — because there was nowhere closer that would take you. That's not just a business. That's a lifeline.
C.H. Hogan didn't stop there. He was an active civic, fraternal, and religious leader.
He dedicated land for nearby Willow Grove Cemetery. A man building community from one end of life to the other. The family business carried on.
Son Booker T. Hogan, Sr. took over in 1935 and moved the operation to West Main Street four years later. Different street, same purpose.
Some institutions hold a community together quietly, without fanfare. The Hogan Funeral Home was one of those — and Washington County knew it.
What the marker says
In 1914, noted Texas educator Columbus H. Hogan became a founding partner in the Washington County Undertaking Co. on South Park Street in Brenham. It was then the only funeral home in the county for African Americans. Hogan later became sole proprietor and changed the name to Hogan Funeral Home. The vital community business offered ambulance service to other cities including Houston and Galveston, since local hospitals were segregated at the time. The family business continued with son Booker T. Hogan, Sr. taking over in 1935 and moving it to West Main Street four years later. C.H. Hogan, an active civic, fraternal and religious leader, also dedicated land for nearby Willow Grove Cemetery. (2007)