How Harrison County Got Its Name and County Seat

The Republic of Texas established Harrison County in 1839, carving it from Shelby County. The county was organized in 1842 and named for Jonas Harrison, who played a role in the Texas Revolution. Marshall, named for U.S. Chief Justice John Marshall, became the county seat that same year after Peter Whetstone donated land for civic buildings.

Marshall was an early commercial hub in East Texas. It became the first Texas town with telegraph service, connecting to New Orleans by 1854. The county developed a cotton economy and, by 1860, was among the wealthiest counties in antebellum Texas. Today Marshall remains the county seat and is home to the historic Harrison County Courthouse.