[3] On October 21, 1902, Governor William Wright Heard issued a proclamation declaring that Section 16, Township 4, North Range 10 West was incorporated as Hornbeck; with W.M.

[3] Kansas City Southern Railroad established a presence in Hornbeck with the construction of the roundhouse, which allowed for the servicing of engines.

The presence of the roundhouse contributed to making Hornbeck a significant junction between Port Arthur, Texas and Shreveport as well as providing an abundance of jobs and influencing the town’s growth.

The early twentieth century was a prosperous time for Hornbeck with both the timber and railroad industries having an established presence in the area.

Hornbeck became a bustling little town, with a bank, a newspaper, five hotels, five saloons and ten retail stores.

[3] In 1912, KCS decided to move the roundhouse to Leesville; this decision was disastrous for Hornbeck’s economy, with the town surviving on the timber, turpentine and farming industries for nearly two more decades.

However, when the Great Depression hit in late 1929 it caused the timber and turpentine industries to collapse and brought an abrupt end to Hornbeck’s prosperity.

[3] Today, Hornbeck has maintained modest growth, with its elected officials taking a pro-active approach to economic development.

[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), all land.

Today Hornbeck's government (mayor-council system) consists of a Mayor, four councilmen and one councilwoman and a Chief of Police.