Welcome to the

Hopkins County Genealogical Society
Sulphur Springs, Texas
Where history and heritage meet.

We invite you to browse our extensive collection of Hopkins County records and consider becoming a member of our society. Our latest additions feature newspapers, maps, and a searchable probate index.

Exclusive member access unlocks a wealth of records, enriching your Hopkins County genealogy research.

From Hopkins County History

THE LAST PASSENGER TRAIN OUT OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, April 1956

Sunday, November 27, 1955 Page 10 Editorial and Features . . .So far little comment has been heard around town on the Cotton Belt’s application to suspend the last two passenger trains serving Sulphur Springs. As far as we’re concerned, there isn’t too much to say on the issue.It is a shame for a city to be left without passenger train service, but there is no logic in trying to demand that a railroad operate trains on which no one wants to ride. The important aspect as far as Sulphur Springs residents are concerned is mail service. We don’t ride the trains. We do use the mails. If the post office fills the gap left by withdrawing the trains with comparable highway mail service, nothing in the community will be hurt except our civic pride and that will quickly recuperate from the blow. . . . Mt. Vernon Optic-Herald Thursday, December 29, 1955, page 1 Hearing Set Wednesday at Mt. Pleasant on Passenger Service The Railroad Commission of Texas has scheduled a hearing to be held at the Titus County Court House in Mt. Pleasant next Wednesday at 10:00am to hear evidence regarding an application by the Cotton Belt Railroad for permission to discontinue passenger train service in Texas. The application seeks to pull off passenger trains operating between Texarkana and Dallas and Mt. Pleasant and Tyler. Opposition has been voiced from many towns along these routes, especially those towns for which the Cotton Belt furnishes the only rail mail and express service. . . .The Cotton Belt says they have practically no passengers on the trains they wish to discontinue, which is true, but it is contended by the public that the service offered is not satisfactory. In other words, to ride the Cotton Belt to Texarkana or Dallas and return, one must plan to spend the night. You can’t expect the public to use their services when it does not meet their needs. . . .The Daily News-Telegram Thursday, July 26, 1956, page 11 Historical Survey Committee Notes By Celia M Wright The Hopkins County Historical Survey committee met on the evening of July 20, in the offices of the Chamber of Commerce. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Brice were to have charge of the program…She showed a large number of pictures…The pictures included some of the old time trains here, and also the last passenger train which passed through the city during this year. Thus an era has come to its close — the era of passenger trains with their enormous transportation of travelers in this county. This began in 1879, and ended in [April] 1956. . . .

One-of-A-Kind Book For Sale

Compiled by Rhonda Bechhold and Carole Ann Smith, the cover is an accumulation of photos of some markers found at Mel Haven Cemetery, including veteran markers and some ornate hand-tooled markers. The book is bound using the Unibind system with clear covers allowing the front and back of the book to be seen.

The table of contents shows the progression of the work done regarding Mel Haven Cemetery. Within the 93 pages of this book is a history of the cemetery, tracing it back to the deeds of land both purchased and gifted to the cemetery. While weaving together the history of the cemetery, it was discovered that the first person buried in what became the “Colored Cemetery” was a personal servant of a local Civil War veteran. Also included are color photographs documenting “Operation Restore,” involving a clean-up of the cemetery. All the graves in Mel Haven Cemetery have been indexed, sorting the ones with markers and the ones without markers.

The price of the book is $30.00.  You may purchase it in person at at the library, by emailing hcgstx@suddenlinkmail.com or by calling HCGS at (903)885-8523. Please include an additional $5 for shipping, if applicable. Cash, Check, or PayPal payments are accepted.

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.

Sulphur Springs Montage

The Society was one of four Sulphur Springs locations chosen to sell the amazing new Sulphur Springs montage. It is approximately 17 1/2 inches x 22 1/2 inches.  The montage depicts businesses, events, and many historic buildings along with several early civic leaders. The artist  created it in two versions. The prints sell for $10 and the signed  & numbered Collector’s Edition sells for $100.  Please come by the HCGS library to see this beautiful work of art!

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

The HCGS Research Library is an affiliate library of the LDS in Salt Lake City, Utah, which houses millions of digitized restricted records covering most counties in the US as well as worldwide. These restricted images, viewable from our computers, allow our patrons to travel to locations and view many records including court house records such as deeds, wills, probate cases, etc. from the convenience of our HCGS library. Use their catalog to discover what records might be of interest. (FamilySearch Help Center topic 55954 helps to explain how to use their catalog.) And if your county/country of interest has not yet been digitized you can contact FamilySearch to request that they digitize specific films. You may request up to 5 rolls of films in one interaction. For specific details on how to do this by phone, chat, or email go to FamilySearch’s Help Center and view help topic 469883.

HCGS is proud to be a Partner Society of the Texas State Genealogical Society.

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.