FOR EXPLORE

MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2006

 

NEWS FROM DAWSON

By Cecil Sanders

 

“DAWSON: RICH HERITAGE – BRIGHT FUTURE!

 

Greetings from Dawson and Western Navarro County the place where there is not a lot to do; but, what you hear makes up for it!

 

Because of my brides heritage, we live near or in the Spring Hill community about two and one half miles from Dawson on land originally deeded to Dr. George Washington Hill by the State of Texas when he came to Western Navarro County, then Robertson County, to open an Indian Trading Post at the request of the Governor of Texas, General Sam Houston. Today we can look across the creek and see his burial site, now a Texas Historical Monument, in the Old Spring Hill Cemetery. Ironically, Hill County, our Western neighbor, was named for Dr. Hill; although he lived in Navarro County. The actual date of his coming to this part of Texas is unknown; but is some time around 1838 to 1841 or so. The town of Spring Hill, no doubt named for the original settlers who came from Tennessee (as did my wife’s grand dad, Mr. Will Matthews) was a flourishing town in 1881 when the railroad from Tyler to Waco came through about three miles to the south of the town. The Dawson family, who owned several thousand acres, donated land for a ‘rail head’ and the town of Dawson came into being. Eventually most of the merchants, churches, and the school moved down the road to the railhead.

This year on Saturday May 27, 2006 the City of Dawson will celebrate its 125^th anniversary with a big celebration; including a parade. This event, which takes place every five years, has been a regular celebration of mine since the 75^th which was in 1956, not long after my ‘marrying’ into the family.

In the future for Dawson, I see these things being a real possibility:

1)      A population growth of at least 25% in the next 10 years.

2)      A family housing development with a golf course being built at the old Dawson City Lake.

3)      A ‘family’ restaurant and coffee shop.

4)      A Day Care facility for parents of young children.

5)      A Rest Home for elderly residents.

6)      The arrival of a ‘mini’ grocery store by one of the major chains.

7)      A Family Dollar or Dollar General type store.

8)      Revival of the old downtown store front shops into monthly trade days.

9)      A heliport on the Fire Department property for Care flight.

10)  Tennis courts on the city property west of the VFD building.

11)  Continued growth in the DHS Independent school system with construction of a new sports complex for football, track, softball and baseball.

12)  A new air-conditioned gymnasium to serve as a Community Center, Civil Defense location and Sports facility.

13)  Complete pavilion and reclaim and restore the old Dawson Depot.

14)  Continued clean up of the town thru ordinance control.

15)  Continued improvement of the City Park.

A DREAM you say, you’re right; but the Good Book says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The same holds true for a City. 

 

Remember to pray for the leaders of our country, the troops who defend our freedom, and to attend church somewhere every Sunday. Do a random act of kindness every day.

UNTIL NEXT TIME – Discover Dawson, Home of the Fighting Bulldogs and Gateway to Lake Navarro Mills.