Hallsville, Texas

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Hallsville is a city in Harrison County, Texas, located 13 miles west of the county seat, Marshall on U.S. Highway 80. The population was 2,772 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early history

The area (Later known as Hallsville) was first settled when Fort Crawford was built one mile west of the SITE of my presents Hallsville by W. C. Crawford. In 1849 the fort is reported to have had two post offices and a two-story building that served as church, Masonic hall, and school. In 1869, when an independent Southern Pacific Railway crossed a mile north of Fort Crawford, the settlers moved to the railroad and named the new settlement for a railroad official Hall. A post office named Hallsville opened in 1869. From 1869 to 1872 the town was the terminus of the railroad, and the railroad company built a general office and machine shops there to help service the unit. The community incorporated for the first time in 1870. In 1872, when the Texas and Pacific acquired the railroad and built out to Longview in Gregg County,Texas, Hallsville lost much of its western trade. In 1873 the railroad moved its local headquarters and shops to Marshall, Texas. Hallville's incorporation lapsed, and the community lost many of its people to Marshall in the later 1870s. In 1884 it had an estimated 600 inhabitants, three churches, six sawmills, six grist millgins, a hotel, two saloons, and a cooperative association. By 1892 the population had fallen to 300, but it recovered to 600 in the 1900s. In 1904 the Hallsville school district had two schools serving 180 white pupils and one school serving 111 black pupils. A bank opened in the community in 1909. In the 1920s the post office changed the spelling of its name to Hallsville. The community reincorporated in 1935.

[edit] Western Days

Started in 1972 by Eulyne and Lawrence Lafoy, Sue and Bill Lemmons and others founded. First held at Swinging H ranch five miles north of Hallsville. Members of the local riding club, the Chamber of Commerce and the city came forth to execute the LaFoy's idea of holding a horse show and tack sale to raise money for the city park. Hallsville's goal was to raise funds for a matching government grant for the beautification and updating of the city and celebrate living in the Hallsville community. Trophies were donated, entry fees were donated and the funds went to the city park. From that beginning a Western Day's committee was formed and have carried on the tradition since. The event opens (Usually the first Weekend in October) on Friday morning when students and staff of Hallsville High School come to school in western attire and activities are held on the campuses. Western Day's has grown from a one day event to a three day event. The three day event includes chili cookoff, bike decorating contest, street dance, parade, arts and crafts, live bands, fun run and the Miss Hallsville Western Days Program. Miss Hallsville Contestants are introduced at around 7pm prior to the Friday night Hallsville Bobcat football game in Bobcat Statium.

[edit] The "H" Association

The "H" Association was founded in 1933 at Hallsville High School by Ben Pannell. Pannell was the athletic coach and Hallsville High School principal. He initiated the Association with these three objectives: 1) All lettermen are to meet on the Saturday night before Easter of each year for a banquet and rundown on the past athletic season. The purpose is to renew old friendships and to meet present day athletes. 2) Strive to help the school athletic program. 3) Always try to remember athletes of the past.

In 1963 an H association board of trustees was formed. Hulon Blalock, Joel Dorsey, Winnifred Haggard, William Lawrence, Bill Dick Parker, Elgin Poole, Willie Steven, D.M Summers, Pres Young and Edd Young were elected to the board. Edd Young was elected as chairman and remained chairman till his death on January 2, 2002.

Harrison County Commissioner, James Greer was elected to take his place as chairman in 2002.

2002 board members are: Mike Buchanon, James Greer, Rob Key, Stanley Lawrence, Gary Lovelace, James Lovelace, Gregg McNeal, Tommy Pool, Thomas Richardson and David Trice.

Also in 1963, the board started the H Association Hall of Fame. After determining a crteria for inductees, Bill Dick Parker, Joel Dorsey, and Neal Henigan were chosen as the 1963 indutees, In the preceding years, the following former athletes from Hallsville have been inducted into the Hall of Fame:

1964, Ross "Larry" Parker, Perry "Peck" Bunt, Barney Oliver; 1965, Clayton "Shag" Coon, Hulon Blalock, Edd Young; 1966, Clyde Kinsy, Murray Know, Brad Horner; 1967, Dick Hays; 1968, James Greer; 1969, Votto Gaddis, Ed Ferges, Corky Ford; 1970. Gene Palmer, Randle Walker; 1971, Mike Buchanan, Lindsey Roberts; 1972, Rueben Bussey, Bobby Price, Avery Downing; 1973, Maurice Jones; 1974, Coach Ben Pannel, Roy Green, Bobby Hunt, Stanley Lawrence; 1975, James Brack, Bobby Mowrey, Jerry Malone; 1976, Pres Young, Rex Scroggins, Dick Ford; 1977, Robert Knight; 1979, Jackie Walker, Gregg McNeal; 1980, Windy Haggard, Syd Keasler, Zell Roberts, Wilber Ingram; 1981, Kenny Rowe, Tommy Joe King, Danny Malone; 1982, Jimmy Killion, Gene Grammer; 1983, David Powell, Jerry Bunt; 1984, Doug Floyd, Ken Jones; 1985, Mike Trice, Scooter Taylor; 1986, Brian Koechel, Bryon Lawrence; 1987, Donald Taylor; 1988, Jimmie Tallant; 1989, Tommy Roberts; 1990, Chris Shafer, Larry Gideon; 1991, Randy Clark, Clifford Shaw; 1992, Jimmy Lynn Grimes, Ricky Lawrence; 1993, Linty Ingram; 1995, Jeff Brownlee, Ron Gideon; 1996, John Martin; 1997, Rob Floyd; 1998, Steve Green, Patrick Gill; 1999, J.B. Rodgers; 2000, Les Langley; 2001, pax hairy, Rodney Flake; 2002, Donnie Muckleroy

The annual H Association banquet is held the Saturday before Easter each year H Association members and Hallsville Lettermen from all over the area attend this annual banquet. Each year at this banquet, the new inductee or inductees are announced.

Also, a tradition that was started in 1950 takes place at the banquet. The athlete of the year (who is chosen by the Hallsville coaches) is announced.

[edit] Geography

Location of Hallsville, Texas

Hallsville is located at 32°30′15″N, 94°34′30″W (32.504036, -94.574904)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 km² (2.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 2,772 people, 993 households, and 799 families residing in the city. The population density was 469.4/km² (1,217.3/mi²). There were 1,050 housing units at an average density of 177.8/km² (461.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.15% White, 4.76% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.27% of the population.

There were 993 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,341, and the median income for a family was $49,868. Males had a median income of $39,844 versus $21,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,689. About 5.8% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

The City of Hallsville is served by the Hallsville Independent School District.

[edit] Notable natives, citizens, and associated people

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • Harrison County Historical Herald, November 1966
  • Marshall News Messenger, August 23, 1936
  • The North East Texas Sports Gazette, 2002