History of Pineland
PINELAND, TX. is on U.S. Highway 96 and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, ten miles southwest of Hemphill in southwestern Sabine County. It originated in a sawmill and lumber camp on the Gulf, Beaumont and Great Northern Railway, which was constructed through the county in 1902. The community was known originally as John Adam’s Mill but was called Pineland by 1904, when it received a post office.
In 1906 the Garrison Norton Lumber Company took over the timber operation and constructed a mill by 1907. In 1910 the company had decided to move the operation to another location, when Thomas L. L. Temple, a part owner of the mill, purchased the operation and formed the Temple Lumber Company.
The town was at first composed almost exclusively of mill hands and their families. Temple constructed a large commissary building in the community and issued tokens which could be used in trade at the commissary, or, at intervals, redeemed in currency. During the first decade following Temple’s purchase of the lumber operation, Pineland grew rapidly. In 1914 the population was an estimated 250, and by 1925 it had increased to an estimated 1,500.
Residents of Pineland voted to incorporate in 1941. Although the lumber company remained the basis for the community’s economy, by the 1960s the town also had other establishments, including a hospital, a library, a bank, and a supermarket. In 1987 Pineland had a population of 1,100, and the lumber company remained the principal industry. In 1990 the population was 882. The population was 980 in 2000.
The Arthur Temple Senior Memorial Library
Our local library does so much to serve the community! They host fun events for kids, promote charitable programs, and just overall make Pineland a wonderful place to live. Pay them a visit today!
A Rich History
Mrs. Katherine S. Temple of Texarkana gave $10,000 as an initial fund. The Pineland Service Club contributed over $14,000 from its proceeds from Pineland Day in 1965. Sizeable amounts were also given by others of the Temple family and the Temple Foundation. Citizens of the town also contributed to the cause. Under Title II of the Library Services and Construction Act, a grant was approved for matching funds for the library.
The site was chosen on Timberland Highway. The building was completed in the spring of 1969. In 1971, the Payne Meeting Room was built. In 1995, the library expanded and renovated to better serve the growing needs of the patrons.
It was originally named TLL Temple Memorial Library for the founder of Temple Industries, Inc. In 1971, the name of the library was changed to Arthur Temple Senior Memorial Library so that as not to be confused with its sister library in Diboll. The library started out with over 300 volumes and now has over 20,000 volumes. Over the past 35 years, the Arthur Temple Senior Memorial Library has been home to 5 different librarians. Donna Nichols proudly serves as the current librarian.
Librarian: Donna Nichols
- Phone: 409-584-2546
- Fax: 409-584-3206
Pay the Library a Visit!
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106 Timberland Highway
Pineland, Texas 75968
Hours of Operation
- Monday through Friday
- 9am to 4pm
Sabine County Chamber of Commerce
Are you a business owner looking to get involved in the community? Check out our local Chamber of Commerce!
West Sabine ISD
We are proud of our local schools! The City of Pineland is served by the West Sabine Independent School District and home to the West Sabine High School Tigers.
P.O. Box 869
101 Timberland Hwy 83
- Pineland, Texas 75968
- Phone 409-584-2655
Pineland Mobile Home and RV Park
Things to Do
Visit the Lake Mere minutes away from Lake Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend, our city is the perfect destination spot for fishermen or families looking to enjoy some time on the water. Check out the links below to learn more about these beautiful lakes.
Mama’s Kitchen
601 Temple Avenue, Pineland, TX 75968
Brookshire Brothers deli
103 U.S. Hwy 96 N, Pineland, TX 75968