John Randolph Hearne, son of Texas pioneers Columbus Calamicus Hearne and wife Mary Ellen Gilmer, was born July 15, 1854 in Wheelock, Robinson County, TX. Educated in the schools of his native county, he later attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. He returned to Texas in 1871, soon thereafter moving to Palestine, first engaging in the drug business which he followed for many years. Later he sold this business and moved to Dallas, becoming a very successful businessman. The first electric lights in Dallas were installed in his business downtown. Mr. Hearne later sold this business and moved back to Palestine where he was engaged in the hardware business, and at the time of his death was head of the Palestine Hardware Co. Mr. Hearne invested quite extensively in real estate in Palestine. A prominent businessman, he was instrumental in helping to organize the Palestine National Bank, which later merged with one of the existing banks and he was elected Vice-President of this bank. He was President of the Palestine Board of Trade, and also President of the Royall National Bank. He was Mayor of Palestine from 1907 to 1909 and during his administration Oak Street and Avenue …

The autobiography and memoirs of John H. Reagan, a prominent Texas politician of the 19th century, and Postmaster General of the Confederacy.

"General Laws of Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-Five, and Subsequent Enactments, Up to Date, Regulating Incorporation of Cities and Towns" (from page 3).

This is a photo of the last official hanging that took place in Anderson County in 1904.

Photo of some unidentified people riding a float in the parade celebrating the East Texas Industrial Carnival and Fair, September 16-18, 1902.

Float loaded with unidentified women that participated in the East Texas Industrial Carnival Parade which took place in Palestine, September 1902.

Miss Cilla Price - Palestine Texas - 1901 Photo found among the Conaway family papers that were donated to the Palestine Public Library some time ago.

Copy negative of the front of the First Presbyterian Church, located at 410 Avenue A in Palestine, Texas. It is a red-brick building with white stone accents that has a Gothic architecture design including leaded stained glass and Tiffany memorial windows. There is a tall silver spire above the tower on the left side of the building. A smaller building is visible to the left.

Copy negative of the front of a two-story house located at 416 S. Royall in Palestine, Texas. There are people on the porch and in the front yard.

This is a photograph of the second Anderson County Jail. The jail was built on the southwest corner of the courthouse square in 1879-80. It was, at the time, the most architecturally advanced building on the square of Palestine. Its clock tower, rising one floor beyond the two-story sheriff’s office and jail, could be seen all the way to New Town, the part of town near the railroad depot. The jail was used until 1931, when it was considered inadequate for county needs. It was torn down and a more modern structure built, the three-story white brick building that now stands on the site.

Photo looking up the sidewalk beside the Palestine Train Depot.

Photograph of the north and east sides of the "Bowers Mansion" located at 301 S. Magnolia in Palestine, Texas. It is a two-story house that has Victorian Italiante-style architectural elements (including a small cupola with bracketed eaves and narrow, paired windows), and a two-tiered porch with Queen Anne-style turned- and jigsawn- wood trim. This photo was taken from the corner of south Magnolia and west Bowers streets.

This is a picture of the first Centenary Methodist Church. It was built around 1884 and was in use until sometime around 1910, when a new building was constructed at 422 S. Magnolia.

Photograph of the first Centenary Methodist Church. It was built around 1884 and was in use until sometime around 1910, when a new building was constructed at 422 S. Magnolia.

This photo is of Central High School, the building was built in the 1880s and was later incorporated into Davey Crockett junior high in the 1920s. A group of unidentified students with their teacher.

This photo is of Central High School, the building was built in the 1880s and was later incorporated into Davey Crockett junior high in the 1920s.

This photo is of Central High School, the building was built in the 1880s and was later incorporated into Davey Crockett junior high in the 1920s.

Photo of the Congregational Church in Palestine, Texas.

This picture was made at a state convention of the Texas Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy at Corsicana Texas, 1900. The flag in the process of being folded is of unknown origin. It was returned from New Orleans with the effects of Col. William Lull and was supposed, from its single star, to have belonged to Texas. It's description: Gray field, red star, gray and blue stripes, heavy red fringe entirely surrounding it.

Photo of the Derden house, which was located on US 287 North towards the community of Bethel. This house is no longer there. The Gus Engling Wildlife Preserve is where it once stood.

Photo of the Dilley house located on S. Sycamore. This photo was taken before an addition to the home was constructed. When a later addition was made, the local newspaper stated that he had "Gilded the Lily."

Photo of Main Street, Elkhart Texas. This whole town burned at one point and when it was rebuilt, all the main buildings were made of brick.

First Presbyterian Church - Avenue A

Photo of what is probably four generations of an unidentified family.