A Brief Photographic Tour of Upshur County History
(Continued)
Hays Hotel and Court House (at the end of the street).
The Hays Hotel, later the Jefferson and then the Upshur House, was brand
new when this picture was made in the early 1930s. Oil boom activity spilled
over from Gregg County to fill the hotel rooms. U.S. 271 wound aroud the
courthouse square and turned east on Harrison Street by the Lawrence Texaco
station. Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Hays owed the hotel and coffee shop, as well
as the Hays Drug Store in the same block. Their photo studio was on the
alley behind the hotel and their home was behind the Texaco station. There
was a vacant lot between the hotel and the service station that they rented
out for $5 a month.
The Gilmer Mirror
The Gilmer Mirror is the oldest business institution in Upshur County
and traces its history back to 1877. In this picture, dated 1925, the members
of the staff are ready to mail the 1925 special fall trade issue. For a
history of the Mirror, written by the grand-daughter of the publisher
in 1925 (George Tucker), see Gilmer Mirror History.
First National Bank Building-1909
Farmers and Merchants National Bank -1914
Christian & Harrison
Dixie Premium Gasoline, "Made in East Texas"
Advertized at the Fair
The Chamber of Commerce Leaders in 1937
Business and civic leaders in 1937, gathered around the Chamber of Commerce
manager, Ed Gooch (the tall man in the center). From left to right, are
Jimmie Marshall, Dr. Madison S. Ragland, Cranfill Cox, Jr., Leon Hudgins,
V. E. Todd, Edwin Aldredge, J. H. English, and H. P. McGaughy.
Continue the Tour
| Upshur Home Page |
CENTER FOR EAST TEXAS STUDIES | SFA
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©Jere L.
Jackson, Stephen F. Austin State University, P.O. Box 6134, Nacogdoches,
Texas 75962 USA
E-mail: CETS@sfasu.edu
URL: http://www.cets.sfasu.edu
LAST MODIFIED: April 23, 1996