Harmon Saddle Shop

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Marker Text: The Harmon family began making saddles in east Texas before the beginning of the Civil War as early as 1856, Joshua Harmon (1821 -1896) engaged in saddlery on a part time basis in the city of Orange by the 1870s, when he and his wife Cleonize (Peveto) moved to Chambers County, Joshua had a well-established reputation for saddlemaking among cowboys and ranchers along the Texas gulf coast. 
   After purchasing land and settling in what is now Hankamer, Joseph Harmon joined with another saddler, Christian Bingle. Harmon carves the saddletrees from native wood, while Bingle worked the leather. Two of Joshua's sons followed in his footsteps, Jesse (1851-1937) operated a saddle shop in Orange, but it was Charles S. (1869-1953) who officially opened the Harmon Saddle Shop in 1896. The business was run very informally, with very little advertising, Harmon saddles gained a widespread reputation for confort and durability. 
   OVer the years ownership of the Harmon Saddle Shop  has remained with the Harmon family. The business has become an important institution in Chambers County. (1985) 

Marker No: 14702

Aluminum 27 x 42 Subject Marker 

Geographic: 29.877876, -94.583267

Location: Hankamer Loop Road, Harmon