Hamilton is the county seat of Harris County and was incorporated December 20, 1828. The city is believed to be named for James Hamilton, Jr., a governor of South Carolina. Mr. Hamilton is known for passing the Nullification Ordinance of 1832 and for leading the armed forces to defend states’ rights

Hamilton is the site of the Harris County Cattleman’s Rodeo in September. In April 1969, the city opened its town square as a museum of the 1870-1920 era and now the square is called “Hamilton on the Square”.