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Lumberton:Lumberton has its origin in a pair of fast growing Big Thicket lumber communities, Chance and Loeb, that merged in the mid 50's as Chance-Loeb. This designation held until 1971, when the current name, Lumberton, was adopted. Ironically, the name is as old as the community itself, if not older. To the workers on the Santa Fe railroad who knew the place as an important sawmill and lumber shipping point, it was known as "Lumber Town," Characterized by a love for a quieter life, at a slower pace from that of a nearby Beaumont, Lumberton takes pride in its abundant resources for recreation and outdoor pursuits. Taking full advantage of its Piney woods location, this Hardin County community has developed Village Creek State Park, a haven for boating, camping, and backpacking. The park includes RV facilities, tent camping, boat launch, and horse trails. In April, the famous three day Village Creek Festival is held to welcome the advent of spring. The nearby Big Thicket National Preserve provides ample opportunity for hiking and bird watching as well. Lumberton also is proud of its new library and expanded city park featuring children activity centers, basketball courts, and a walking track for the young at heart. This city of 8,000, located 13 miles north of Beaumont on U.S. Highway 69 and State Highway 96, places a high priority on its younger citizens as its investment in the future. Lumberton schools are recognized for their excellence in providing quality education, and the community's high regard for physical activity and recreation is seen in its Little League ballpark and in the Hardin County Soccer League. In an age marked by an ever-increasing lack of differentiation among metropolitan areas, Lumberton boasts a variety of unique establishments, including restaurants to satisfy every taste. Lumberton provides the environment for those who like to take time to smell the roses and appreciate the good things in life.
Silsbee:Silsbee, the principal commercial center of Hardin County was laid out on May 1, 1894, when the Gulf, Beaumont and Kansas City (later renamed Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe) Railroad reached the site of a logging camp belonging to the Texas Pine Land Association. It would be hard to discuss Silsbee during its early days without speaking of John Henry Kirby, Houston capitalist and native of East Texas. Mr. Kirby named the town in honor of Captain Nathaniel D. Silsbee of Boston, a lawyer, whom he had persuaded to help develop the lumber business in East Texas. The Kirby Lumber Company, of which Mr. Kirby was President and chief owner, had extensive holdings of land in East Texas and sawmills were erected where and as needed to take care of the lumber. Many years later, the operations and timberlands were sold to Santa Fe Railway Company and in 1987 to Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. Forest, wood and paper products, oil and gas, and the railroads are still today the primary business of this thriving city nestled in the piney woods of Southeast Texas deep within the Big Thicket National Preserve.
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