Harkeyville

A site once famous for its horses and racetrack. Riley Harkey (1832-1920) and Israel Harkey (1835-1914) were Indian scouts in Texas in 1850-53. In 1855 they led their parents, Mathias and Catherine Harkey, to move here from Arkansas with other adult sons, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren. The families ranched, and Mathias Harkey ran a country store for many years. Riley Harkey brought to Texas a fine, fleet footed mare, who with her racing progeny drew crowds of enthusiasts to this site for half a century. Other sons and grandsons of Mathias Harkey also joined in the breeding, training, and racing of horses. Stores, blacksmith shop, and other businesses all faced east on a single street overlooking the flat with its racetrack and baseball diamond. There was no post office, but the village was so well known that mail addressed to Harkeyville promptly arrived here. On Nov. 26, 1873, George W. Barnett (1823-1885) gave land for the first school; the schoolhouse was used also for church services and public meetings. The racetrack closed in 1907; the cotton gin burned in 1920, and was not rebuilt; school consolidated in 1929 with San Saba. The last store closed in 1954. A community hall, built 1973, marks site of the town.

Harkeyville is a historical marker in San Saba, San Saba County, dedicated in 1974. It is one of 28 historical markers documented in San Saba County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 74 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.2121, -98.7858 near San Saba. The nearest cataloged historic site is Harkeyville Cemetery (cemetery), about 1.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Davidson Cemetery, China Creek Cemetery, and Wedding Oak.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5411002379. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.