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SULPHUR SPRINGS,
TEXAS
"Dairy Capital
of Texas" Sulphur Springs celebrates 150 Years of History in 2004
Hopkins County Seat, East Texas
Junction of I-30 and State Hwys 11, 19, and 154
38 miles S of Paris
43 miles N of Canton
78 miles E of Dallas
Population 14,551 (2000)
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The Hopkins County courthouse and square.
1906 Postcard courtesy James Perkins |
Hopkins
County Courthouse and Town Square
Text and Photos by Sam Fenstermacher
The town square in Sulphur Springs is a dramatically different place.
A vintage J. Riely Gordon courthouse occupies the northeast corner
of the spacious town square. This offset location is both by choice
and chance. The previous courthouse was built on the east side of
the original town square. When that building burned down in 1894,
a decision was made to buy additional property east of the town square
and build the present day courthouse on the northeast corner of the
enlarged town square.
The net result of all these events in Hopkins County is a spacious
public square with plenty of room for parking and public gathering.
Along the eastern side of the square there's a bandstand and a small
yard with trees and benches. The parking lot and walkways on the square
are paved with red bricks. This adds a vintage feel to the place,
and also creates a dramatic approach to the county courthouse....
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Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Sulphur
Springs Hotels |
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Mission
Theatre in Sulphur Springs
December 1984 photo courtesy Billy
Smith |
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Sulphur
Springs Attractions
Cooper Lake
State Park
In northern Hopkins County
Rt 3 Box 741 Sulphur Springs TX 75482
903/945-5256
Hopkins
County Museum and Heritage Park
416 N Jackson St. Admission fee
Music Box
Gallery
611 N Davis St. in library. 903-885-4926
Southwest
Dairy Center
In Civic Center Complex, 1210 Houston St. (Hwy 11).
903-439-MILK
Sulphur
Springs Tourist Information
Visitor
Center - I-30. At the Factory Store of Amaerica mall.
888-300-6623 - Information on city, events, accommodations and dining
City of
Sulphur Springs - http://www.sulphurspringstx.org/
Hopkins
County Chamber of Commerce - 903-885-6515
http://www.sulphursprings-tx.com/
Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
Sulphur
Springs Hotels |
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Sulphur Springs water tower, razed in 2002
2002 photo courtesy Lou Ann Herda |
Sulphur
Springs Water Tower (Razed in 2002)
Photographer's Note
"Sulphur Springs complete with power lines/phone lines that I
couldn't get around. I was standing in the middle of a very busy road
at the time before I realized traffic was headed my way. I think this
tower is an A-1 example of a fine Texas water tower. Not as nice as
the Fayetteville
one, but still pleasant. The cursive lettering is unmatched."
- Lou Ann Herda, April 14, 2002
Reader's Comments
Thank you for your kind remarks about our water tower. However, I'm
afraid it is no more. Not long after you took that photograph, the
landmark was torn down. It was really sad to a lot of us. - John
L. Bradberry, Sulphur Springs, TX, August 12, 2003 |
Sulphur
Springs History
"The town
was originally known as Bright Star when stores and a hotel were first
built at the site, which had become a popular camping place for teamsters
hauling commodities west from Jefferson. ... A post office named Bright
Star was established in 1854 ... Bright Star was incorporated possibly
as early as 1852. Dr. O. S. Davis deeded the public square to the
county when the town was rechartered and became the county seat in
1870. The name was changed to Sulphur Springs in 1871, when the mineral
springs in the area were being advertised to make the town a health
resort." -
From "The Handbook of Texas Online". More:
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/SS/hes8.html |
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