Hurstown: A Historical Overview of the Rural Community in Shelby County

Published: February 17, 2005

Hurstown is a rural community located near the junction of State Highway 87 and Farm Road 139 about twelve miles southeast of Center in southeastern Shelby County. Named for a Shelby County family, the settlement may have started in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Hurstown, located in the Sabine National Forest, had a school and cemetery by the 1920s. County highway maps in the 1960s showed a business and the cemetery. No population estimates were available in 2000.

Places:

Communities

The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry.

Laurie E. Jasinski, “Hurstown, TX,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed May 19, 2026, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/hurstown-tx.

TID: HRHAA

Original Publication Date:: February 17, 2005

Halley's Comet drops meteorite in northeast Texas

116 years ago today
Irish trader takes citizenship oath

197 years ago today
Indians take captives at Fort Parker

190 years ago today

Shop & Support:

Join TSHA

Support the preservation and sharing of Texas history. Join TSHA today and help keep these valuable historical records free for everyone—while supporting student research, educator resources, and member access to our digital library and publications.

Choose a Membership Level →

Find out more about this place from our Texas Almanac:

Adopt Your Piece of Texas! →

Place

Hurstown

Currently Exists

Yes

Place Type

Town

USGS ID

1382054

Town Fields

Has post office: No
Is Incorporated: No

Belongs to

Shelby County

Associated Names

Hurst

Cora

Halbert

Jakin

Mount Olive

Rather

Coordinates

Latitude: 31.69711950°
Longitude: -94.02908180°

Population Counts

People	Year
20	2009

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, Texans have a unique opportunity to reflect on the state’s role in the American story. Through exhibitions, programs, educational initiatives, and community events across Texas, Texas America250 encourages celebration, reflection, and commemoration at both local and statewide levels. At the Texas State Historical Association, we are proud to support this important moment through our mission-driven work in history education and public engagement, including Texas History Day, and we invite students, educators, and communities to explore this milestone in meaningful ways.

“

On July 4, 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the greatest nation in the history of the world. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Long may these ideals live in the heart of every Texan and every American. May God bless all who have defended our freedoms that we enjoy each day. And God bless the United States of America.

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

Hurstown: A Historical Overview of the Rural Community in Shelby County

Is history important to you?

Shop & Support:

Join TSHA

Find out more about this place from our Texas Almanac:

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Find Events

Get Involved

Learn More

Share this entry on social media:

Is history important to you?

Shop & Support:

Join TSHA ×

Find out more about this place from our Texas Almanac:

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Find Events

Get Involved

Learn More

Join TSHA