Palestine, Texas is a place filled with a grand history that spans from the unique to the outstanding. One of the things that people gush about after visiting us is the rich history of almost every building and monument in the city. Today we take a look at one such landmark, the John & Emma Hearne House which is located on 503 E Hodges, Palestine.

This house is a one of kind landmark in Palestine. It was built in 1896 by Texas Native John Randolph Hearne who moved to Palestine in 1876. Mr. Hearne operated retail drug stores in both Dallas and Palestine while also helping to organize the Palestine National Bank. Hearn and his wife Emma Howard were given the land in 1883 as a wedding present. The house was built in pine and oak which Hearn personally selected and the red brick veneer was added in 1902. Till this day the house continues to remain in the Hearne Family. In fact, Esther Hearne still lived in the house up until 2004. A few years ago the county news did a segment on this wonderful old lady, who at 102 yrs old was learning the computer, sending emails, and surfing the net. Her instructor had been a former pupil. It was an amazing story.

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