Welcome to the Hopkins County Genealogical Society!
Sulphur Springs, Texas
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We’re Open This SaturdayStill hot enough to make the ancestors reconsider Texas? Come spend Saturday morning somewhere cool — and perhaps track a few of them down while you’re at it. The HCGS Library will be open Saturday, September 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 611 N. Davis St. in Sulphur Springs. Bring your research questions, your brick walls, and your curiosity. We’ll provide the records — and, most importantly, the air conditioning. We hope to see you there! |
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September Meeting: A Texas Doughboy’s StoryJoin us Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. for a special presentation by Chris Manning, sharing the story of his great-great-uncle, Esca McCord, a Hopkins County soldier from the Weaver community who was killed in combat in France during World War I. Using family letters, photographs, and extensive research at the National Archives, Chris has reconstructed Esca’s military service in remarkable detail. He is also working on a documentary telling Esca’s story. Attend in person or join us online via Zoom. |
From Hopkins County History
Friday, November 21, 1924, page 2 of 4
Hopkins County Good Condition Despite Drouth*
Despite severe drought and a reduced cotton crop, Hopkins County farmers were reported to be in better financial condition than might have been expected. From May 25 until August 11, practically no rain fell, and at one point the county’s cotton crop was estimated at only about 10,000 bales. September rains and a warm fall improved conditions considerably, however, and the final crop was expected to reach approximately 25,000 bales.
Cotton was far from the county’s only source of farm income. The watermelon crop was good, with more than 400 carloads shipped from the county. Sweet potatoes also brought farmers substantial ready cash. One farmer reportedly produced 5,000 bushels on a 25-acre tract—about 200 bushels per acre—and sold the crop for $1.50 to $1.75 per bushel.
Hopkins County was also described as a major poultry center. During the year, some 300 carloads of live poultry were shipped, along with fifteen carloads of dressed turkeys, each containing approximately 1,500 birds.
Farmers were increasingly using commercial fertilizers to improve yields. Usage had risen dramatically during the early 1920s, reaching about 3,000 tons in 1924. Agricultural specialists meeting at the courthouse also discussed terracing, soil improvement, fertilizer use, horticulture, and other practices intended to increase farm productivity.
Despite a difficult growing season, diversification helped Hopkins County agriculture weather the drought remarkably well.
* Edited by AI for brevity from the original 1924 newspaper article by G.R. McMurray, Staff Correspondent of The News.
Back Issues of Hopkins County Heritage
We are now offering for sale ALL of the Hopkins County Heritage back issues on a single flash drive!! (Includes every issue from the beginning in 1984 to June 2017). Each flash drive contains two folders – one folder contains individual issue PDFs and one folder contains a single PDF of the complete set. It is word searchable so that you can easily locate surnames or search terms in any single issue or in the complete set! And travels with you easily to libraries or on research trips!
The cost is $50 (plus $4 for shipping and handling) and can be purchased by contacting the HCGS library.
About The HCGS Research Library
Over 8,000 Titles
The HCGS Research Library houses original county records, maps, family collections, scrapbooks, 1000’s of photographs, and numerous original materials. Note, current Saturday hours – open 2nd Saturday of each month from 9:30am to 1:00pm.
Click here for more details about the HCGS Research Library.
FamilySearch.org Affiliate Library
HCGS is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, which means visitors using our library computers may have access to additional FamilySearch digital records and images not available from home. Bring your free FamilySearch account login, settle in at the library, and see what new clues may be waiting in those records. Sometimes the next ancestor doesn’t need a miracle — just a better access point.
Hopkins County Texas Research Guide
Professional genealogist and former Hopkins County resident Cyndi Harlin has graciously shared her Hopkins County Texas Research Guide. This expertly created guide gives numerous tips and areas to explore to help aid your research in Hopkins County. Check out this useful and beautiful booklet by clicking here.
Rescue Mission
“Genealogy is a kind of rescue mission, one that often remains hidden. Not everyone can see that our ancestors need to be rescued. Not everyone has the ability or desire to rescue them. But we, as genealogists, see the need and set off on the mission, sure of the merit of our goal. We give voice to our ancestors buried in the silent archives of history. . .”[1]
[1] Margaret R. Fortier and Mary Kircher Roddy, “Editors’ Corner,” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 112 (Dec 2024).