Shirley’s guidebook
OUR HOME
Our Heaven on Earth
A little about Hawkins proper:
There is a saying that Hawkins is “Tranquility in the heart of East Texas.” The center of Hawkins is at the intersection of Highway 80 and FM 14.
The town received its post office in 1873, the same year the Texas and Pacific Railway built through the area on its way to Dallas. The area has been fairly well settled before the railroad's arrival, as it was near the river crossing to Belzora, an early port and stagecoach crossing on the Smith County side of the Sabine River.
By 1890 its population was around 200, but six years later there were over 500 residents. Established in 1912 in Hawkins, Texas, as an institution for teachers, Jarvis Christian College began as Jarvis Christian Institute. Today, the College is a private, residential, Historically Black Liberal Arts College affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Jarvis Christian College offers 14 academic degree programs and has been ranked one of 100 most affordable colleges in America by Best-ValueSchools.com. The College recently opened a teaching site for adult learners at Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas.
In October 1940, former lightweight boxer Bobby Manziel made the first major oil discovery in Wood County, a wildcat three miles north of town. Hawkins became an overnight boom town. Humble Oil and Refinery (later Exxon Company, USA) became the principal driller in the Hawkins field north of the community. To honor and remember those days Hawkins has the annual Hawkins Oil Festival which is attended by hundreds. There are activities set aside for the whole family each second Saturday of October. In 1925 Lillian Richard, Hawkins Foulke native became a national model for Quaker Oats. In 1995 the Texas legislature declared Hawkins Pancake Capital of Texas in her honor. The Hawkins Area Chamber of Commerce is currently making efforts to reclaim that distinction.
The Hawkins area is known for nature trails, hiking, world class bird watching, and geocaching. Lake Hawkins is home to a beach and a large RV park which has 41 RV sites available. There are lake-front camping sites and the Hawkins Volunteer Fire Department puts on an annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
In recent years a family fun park with a splash pad was built in the center of town. The splash pad is open during warm weather months. The Veteran’s Memorial Park, just north of downtown on High-way 14 (FM14) is one of the finest monuments of its kind in all of Texas. As a Marine Veteran of 1967-‘69, Jon vividly recalls his patriotic pride and appreciation for such a fine memorabilia, every time he passes it.
Hawkins
Our Heaven on Earth
A little about Hawkins proper:
There is a saying that Hawkins is “Tranquility in the heart of East Texas.” The center of Hawkins is at the intersection of Highway 80 and FM 14.
The town received its post office in 1873, the same year the Texas and Pacific Railway built through the area on its way to Dallas. The area has been fairly well settled before the railroad's arrival, as it was near the river crossing to Belzora, an early port and stagecoach crossing on the Smith County side of the Sabine River.
By 1890 its population was around 200, but six years later there were over 500 residents. Established in 1912 in Hawkins, Texas, as an institution for teachers, Jarvis Christian College began as Jarvis Christian Institute. Today, the College is a private, residential, Historically Black Liberal Arts College affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Jarvis Christian College offers 14 academic degree programs and has been ranked one of 100 most affordable colleges in America by Best-ValueSchools.com. The College recently opened a teaching site for adult learners at Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas.
In October 1940, former lightweight boxer Bobby Manziel made the first major oil discovery in Wood County, a wildcat three miles north of town. Hawkins became an overnight boom town. Humble Oil and Refinery (later Exxon Company, USA) became the principal driller in the Hawkins field north of the community. To honor and remember those days Hawkins has the annual Hawkins Oil Festival which is attended by hundreds. There are activities set aside for the whole family each second Saturday of October. In 1925 Lillian Richard, Hawkins Foulke native became a national model for Quaker Oats. In 1995 the Texas legislature declared Hawkins Pancake Capital of Texas in her honor. The Hawkins Area Chamber of Commerce is currently making efforts to reclaim that distinction.
The Hawkins area is known for nature trails, hiking, world class bird watching, and geocaching. Lake Hawkins is home to a beach and a large RV park which has 41 RV sites available. There are lake-front camping sites and the Hawkins Volunteer Fire Department puts on an annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
In recent years a family fun park with a splash pad was built in the center of town. The splash pad is open during warm weather months. The Veteran’s Memorial Park, just north of downtown on High-way 14 (FM14) is one of the finest monuments of its kind in all of Texas. As a Marine Veteran of 1967-‘69, Jon vividly recalls his patriotic pride and appreciation for such a fine memorabilia, every time he passes it.
Food SCENE
Great local eateries in no particular order. Check them out!
Subway
5201 South FM 14Just down the road from us on FM14. And across the street is a hometown cafe, Richie! Hi
Lovely scenic drive from our cabin and back. Romantic yet a great family eatery. The food is delicious. One of our guests, a world traveler, and a foodie reported after our recommendation, that THIS is his favorite fine Italian dining in the world! He and his wife communicated to the chef that they intend to celebrate their anniversary there! Hi 👋
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Taste of Italy by the Lake
2448 Co Rd 3440Lovely scenic drive from our cabin and back. Romantic yet a great family eatery. The food is delicious. One of our guests, a world traveler, and a foodie reported after our recommendation, that THIS is his favorite fine Italian dining in the world! He and his wife communicated to the chef that they intend to celebrate their anniversary there! Hi 👋
Circle M Crawfish
14449 State Highway 155Great food, huge servings, great prices. Some seasonal. Hi
Bodacious Bar-B-Q
13069 Farm to Market Road 14Historic and nostalgic; yummy eats, easy access.
Sonic Drive-In
600 TX-31Fast food galore, just down the road from us. Great shakes, YUM!
Maria's Dessert Shop
2039 S High StYummy dessert place.
Richie's Grill & Cafe
3842 Farm to Market Road 2869Only 5 minutes or 4 miles from our cabin!
PARKS & NATURE
Beautiful sampling of the East Texas piney woods, with over 985 acres of steep hillsides and lovely landscapes; a 64-acre lake with great fishing. One can see deer, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, and more. The lake holds crappie, perch, bass, and my personal favorite - catfish. Lots of species of birds.
66 abantu bendawo batusa
Tyler State Park
789 Park Rd 16Beautiful sampling of the East Texas piney woods, with over 985 acres of steep hillsides and lovely landscapes; a 64-acre lake with great fishing. One can see deer, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, and more. The lake holds crappie, perch, bass, and my personal favorite - catfish. Lots of species of birds.
Ipariki yaseMartin Creek Lake State
9515 Co Rd 2181DCheck it out
Iphatheka lesiFundazwe sePurtis Creek
Great
Umgwaqo waseTyler Rose
420 Rose Park DrRose Capital of the world!
Lake Fork
Local Attractions
Next to Jr College http://sciencecenter.tjc.edu/
Address
1411 E Lake St
Tyler, Texas 75701
Phone (903) 510-2312
Website http://www.tjc.edu
Hours
Tue - Fri: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sat: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Hudnall Planetarium
1411 E Lake StNext to Jr College http://sciencecenter.tjc.edu/
Address
1411 E Lake St
Tyler, Texas 75701
Phone (903) 510-2312
Website http://www.tjc.edu
Hours
Tue - Fri: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sat: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Carnegie Center of Brazos Valley History
111 S Main StFascinating!
East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College
1301 S Henderson BlvdLearn
Morton Salt
801 TX-110Mines in Grand Saline
Grand Saline Salt Palace
100 W Garland StMuseum
Usuku LweSonto Lokugcina Amathenda
800 1st Monday LnGreat finds!
Caldwell Zoo
2203 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvdfun
Goodman-LeGrand House & Museum
624 N Broadway AveMuseum
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
5550 FM2495Great
Lake Hawkins
5 miles
Lindale
15 mi
Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary
17552 FM1412 mi
International ALERT Academy
1 Academy Blvd14 mi
Mineola
12 mi antique shopping
Hawkins
friends
Downtown Mineola
130 E Broad St12 miles to Antique Shopping!
Neighborhoods
Gladewater
The Antique Capital of East Texas
Mineola
Fun local place to get a feel for hometown East Texas!
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ungaphuthelwa
Closest American Diner
Only 5 miles from the cabin