So, you might say, I never knew Hawkins was known for its pancakes, and you are partially right.
However, Lillian Richards portrayed "Aunt Jemima" for the Quaker Oat Company from 1911 through 1947. Although today she is not a popular or contemporary figure, the Texas Legislature, in 1995, passed a resolution declaring that Hawkins was the Pancake Capital of Texas.
Here's a little history about the area you might not know. After the Texas revolution, the Hawkins area was awarded to George Brewer. Many families bought land from the Brewer family and moved into the area. The area was the main thoroughfare leading to Belzora Crossing on the Sabine River. At one time there was a Texas Historical marker for the Crossing, but a number of years ago, when road work was being done, the marker was taken down and someone stole it.
Many immigrants migrated to this area over that crossing. The writer feels it is an important part, not only of Hawkins history, but the history of the county, and would like to see a replacement marker erected there.
Land was bought from early settlers for the great railroads crossing the United States from east to west. Prior to the year 1873, construction crews were building road beds, clearing trees and building bridges.
In 1873, a local group applied to Washington for a post office, and seeing some initials on a nearby tree, they used them for the name of their community - Hawkins.
The community prospered through the development of cotton ginning. On October 8, 1916, a tragic fire destroyed the business district, however, the town was rebuilt. The principal enterprises were farming, lumbering and ginning until December 5, 1940, when Frank Morrison, a Hawkins resident, and Bobby Manziel of Tyler, discovered oil on the Morrison land.
Hawkins took its place in history as an important cog in the wheel of the giant oil industry. In the late 1940s, Humble Oil, now known as Exxon, built a large oil and gas refinery and has been a very important factor in the growth of Hawkins.
Through the years, due to the presence of Exxon, the town grew, attracted new businesses, and a base was formed for a well-rounded community.
The oil industry in the region began to decline about 20 years ago for a number of reasons, nut it still has a presence in Hawkins. Just recently, Exxon announced that they will be expanding their operations in Hawkins, hiring many employees and bringing population growth to Hawkins.
The Hawkins community and Wood County owe a debt of gratitude to the oil industry for all the benefits it has provided.
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