Harrison County vs. Jim Hogg County
Piney Woods & Vaquero Heritage
This match-up spans the state from the Louisiana border to the South Texas brush country. Harrison County, in the lush Piney Woods, is a land of Caddo Lake bayous, historic pottery, and deep cultural roots. Jim Hogg County, centered on Hebbronville, is the heart of ranching country, known as the "Vaquero Capital of Texas." One is defined by its old-south charm and wetlands; the other by its mesquite scrub and cattle legacy. Both are essential threads in the fabric of Texas culture.
Harrison County (Population Approx. 69,000)
Harrison County is the gateway to Texas from the east. Marshall, the county seat, is renowned for its Wonderland of Lights, its pottery industry, and as the home of Wiley College and East Texas Baptist University. The vibe is historic and cultural, with deep roots in the timber and railroad industries. Challenges include revitalizing historic downtowns, managing rural poverty, and leveraging tourism around Caddo Lake.
Jim Hogg County (Population Approx. 4,800)
Jim Hogg County is deep South Texas ranch country. Hebbronville serves as the cultural center, celebrating the legacy of the vaquero (cowboy) and the region's cattle industry. The landscape is rugged brushland, famous for hunting and wildlife. The community faces challenges related to border security, educational opportunities in a remote area, and economic diversification beyond ranching and oil/gas.
Why It Matters
Harrison County protects some of Texas' most important wetlands and cultural history. Jim Hogg County preserves the foundational skills of the Texas cattle industry. Both counties face the challenge of retaining young people and attracting investment while maintaining their unique cultural identities.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the artist in Marshall and the rancher in Hebbronville play equal roles in our state’s success.
In Harrison County, the community is diverse and historically rich. Open Primaries would ensure that minority voters and rural conservatives alike have a real say in the general election, rather than being sidelined by gerrymandered districts. Ranked Choice Voting would encourage candidates to focus on economic revitalization and education.
In Jim Hogg County, the heritage is proud but the population is small. Ranked Choice Voting protects the voice of rural South Texas, allowing voters to elect champions for agricultural infrastructure and border region development without worrying about party loyalty. It gives the vaquero capital a voice to demand respect in Austin.
Did You Know…
Marshall (Harrison) was once the "Pottery Capital of the World" and is famous for the Wonderland of Lights.
Hebbronville (Jim Hogg) is known as the "Vaquero Capital of Texas" and was a major shipping point for cattle.
Wiley College in Marshall is one of the oldest HBCUs west of the Mississippi and was the setting for the movie The Great Debaters.
Jim Hogg County is one of the few counties in Texas with no incorporated cities (Hebbronville is a census-designated place).
Caddo Lake, bordering Harrison County, is the only natural lake in Texas and home to one of the largest cypress forests in the world.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Harrison residents love the mysterious beauty of Caddo Lake, the holiday magic in Marshall, and the deep sense of history. Jim Hogg locals love the pride of the ranching lifestyle, the world-class whitetail hunting, and the strong family bonds that span generations.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Wonderland of Lights (Marshall/Harrison): A month-long holiday festival with millions of lights, skating, and parades.
Vaquero Festival (Hebbronville): Celebrating the history and skills of the original Texas cowboys.
FireAnt Festival (Marshall): A quirky fall festival celebrating (and reviling) the fire ant with costumes and contests.
Jim Hogg County Fair: A community gathering highlighting local agriculture, livestock, and crafts.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
