Learning About Hopkins County's
Past, Subject of Saturday Seminar

 

by: Bobby McDonald

It was a large crowd of interested Hopkins County residents that assembled at the Hopkins County Genealogical Society, on Saturday afternoon, following the successful Flea Market on the Square, to hear the Downtown Business Alliance sponsored "Wood & Shingles, Bricks & Mortar," presented by local historian, John Sellers. Sellers explained to those present about ways to date homes, buildings, and other structures to verify their historical past. He offered a number of sources to consult when attempting to date a building.

"You can use physical information, social information, record groups, and Sanborn maps, as you attempt to identify characteristics of your structure," advised Sellers. "There are a number of sources available, right here in our Genealogical Library, that can aid you in your search."

"Many of the sources may overlap and allow you to confirm finds made elsewhere," continued Sellers. "Abstracts of Title, talking to neighbors, city directories, tax rolls, and building permits, are just a few of the sources that can aid you in your search."

 

Sellers  shows attendees at Saturday's seminar a Sanborn Map, that is useful in identifying structures
located in Sulphur Springs' past.

 

Sellers presented a brief history of the development of both Hopkins County and the Sulphur Springs area. He told of how the Hopkins County Seat was originally at Tarrant, north of Sulphur Springs and how that because of flooding and the Union Stockade being built near the springs, that Sulphur Springs, who had a post office called "Bright Star," was soon selected as the center of commerce in the area.

 

 

Sellers also allowed that the 1894 fire in the Hopkins County Courthouse, that caused the building of the present Courthouse, did not destroy the records. The records were safely in a vault. "We have the records from those early times that are available to use in researching some of our more historical structures," advised Sellers.

Sellers then began a chronological history of may of the historic homes located in Sulphur Springs. He told that the city was very unique in that many of the most beautiful homes were actually built during The Great Depression Era. However, he told of some of the homes that were built at the turn of the twentieth century and even the Pate House, that was estimated at being built in 1894-95.

 

Participants in Saturday's seminar look over some of the sources available to identify the history
of local buildings and homes.

 

Sellers also listed several of the older buildings located in Sulphur Springs and told of the history of the businesses that occupied the structures. "Many of the buildings were occupied by tennants and offer another aspect of the building's history," expressed Sellers.

"I had no idea of some of the history that I learned today," remarked one of the attendees. "It was great to learn about my hometown and sources for even learning more!"

 

 

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