Site of Old Lexington Village

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, straight from Hill County's own record. Now, one mile south of where you're rolling, there used to be a place called Lexington Village. Founded about 1851, right on a little stretch of water called Jack's Branch.

And friend, don't let the modest name fool you. That village carried some real weight in its day. When Hill County organized on May 14, 1853, Lexington Village was the first settlement in the county, and the only polling place around.

Think about that. One settlement, one place to cast a vote, and a whole county taking shape around it. For four months, two log homes served as a courthouse.

Just two log homes, handling the business of an entire county. No marble columns, no grand rotunda. Two cabins and whatever will it took to get things done.

Then came a special election, and when the votes were counted, the county seat moved to Hillsboro. And just like that, Lexington Village stepped out of the spotlight. The marker itself has its own little journey to tell.

It was originally located four miles west, on State Highway 22, right there at Jack's Branch where the village actually stood. In 2006, the Hill County Sesquicentennial Committee relocated it to the Hill County Courthouse Square. So the marker left the creek, and came to rest at the very seat of government that, once upon a time, two log homes on Jack's Branch were holding together.

What the marker says

(1 mile South) Founded about 1851 on Jack's Branch. Was Hill County's first settlement and only polling place when county organized on May 14, 1853. For 4 months two log homes functioned as a courthouse until a special election put the county seat at Hillsboro. Supplemental plate: Marker originally located 4 miles west on SH 22 at Jack's Branch. Relocated to Hill County Courthouse Square 2006 by Hill County Sesquicentennial Committee.