Covington was built by one man’s vision in 1852. Colonel James Gathings arrived from Mississippi, bought 10,000 acres, and gave lots away free to families willing to build a school and stay. He established the first steam mill, saw mill, tannery, and shoe factory in Hill County, hauling every piece of machinery 700 miles by ox team from New Orleans. Today 270 people call it home. The hustle is quieter now. The roots run just as deep.