Hog Eye Road

Response to a request for information from Lisa Cox, Radio Austin
“How did Hog Eye Road get its name?”
Sent to: Thomas Labinski
Article by: Michael Barnes
Austin American Statesman
Lisa Cox, Station Lead, Radio Austin
07/28/2024

Hog Eye Road

Photo: Radio Austin

[Michael]

Lisa,

Glad to help.

Hog Eye was a town in Bastrop County during the 19th century. It served as a freedom colony for emancipated slaves.

When the railroad came through, Hog Eye was superseded by Elgin, which nevertheless still throws an annual Hog Eye Festival.

There’s no way to verify this, but the story told by descendants is that Hog Eye hosted a bar with a piano and the player only knew one tune, as sea shanty called “Hogeye.”

The African Americans, harassed in Hog Eye, moved on to Webberville then St. John Colony on the border of Bastrop and Caldwell counties.

It is likely that the road in eastern Travis County that now passes by the Community First village originally headed to Hog Eye. It’s in the right direction.

Best, Michael

How appropriate. A place for emancipated slaves (Lisa).

[Lisa]

Elgin Hogeye Festival is October 24.

Hogeye Line 512-229-3217
802 North Avenue C
Fleming Community Center
P.O. Box 591
Elgin, TX 78621

Hogeye Festival Elgin Website

Hog Eye Road

Hogeye Festival Elgin

last updated 08/14/2024

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