Sulphur Springs -- One of the important questions regarding the move to restore historic courthouses around the state of Texas is whether on not a courthouse restoration spurs development in the surrounding area. 

No one knows that answer better than the people who have established businesses around a courthouse. Since Fannin County is debating this important issue and since Hopkins County renovated its historic courthouse, North Texas e-News spent Friday morning in Sulphur Springs to see what residents have to say about the subject.

Statue of a soldier in front of Hopkins County Courthouse

The verdict was unanimous.  Downtown Sulphur Springs is on the move.

What is happening in the county seat of Hopkins County is a team effort and the result of a shared vision and cooperation between the county, city and private entities. 

Restoration of the historic Hopkins County Courthouse was completed in 2003.  Hopkins County Commissioners decided this was a worthy project, issued certificates of obligation to fund the project along with utilizing Texas Historical Commission grants and then structured their annual budget in order to service that financial obligation. 

Hopkins County Courthouse

While every project has opponents, none turned up in this latest visit.  Every person interviewed Friday felt the courthouse restoration was a success and it inspired the city, as well as individual business owners, to invest in downtown Sulphur Springs.  And if you think this city looks good now, just wait until you see what they have planned.   

Model shows the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial in the foreground with the majestic courthouse towering in the background.

This model built by Jerry Lee shows the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial that will honor all veterans that were born in Hopkins County or burried in Hopkins County.  Groundbreaking for this breathtaking memorial, to be constructed out of pink Texas granite to compliment the courthouse, is fittingly slated for Veterans Day 2009.  This project is being developed and funded by Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Committee (www.hcvm.org), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  

According to the organization's website, "This veterans memorial will be a part of the overall beautification and enhancement of the entire downtown public square area in the center of Sulphur Springs, Texas with the same honor, dignity and beauty as our centerpiece, the historic Hopkins County Courthouse."

A surveyor works near the site of the proposed veterans memorial.

Creative fundraisers are making the veterans project viable.  A Freedom Ride and Motorcycle Rally to support local veterans is set for Saturday, June 20.  Entry fee, including lunch and a raffle ticket, is $25. 

A less traditional, but very successful fundraiser was called the Mr. Hopkins County Man Pageant.  Sixteen local men competed in evening gowns and a talent show to see who would waltz away with the crown. 

The project that has everyone talking now is Main Street.  After the county renovated the courthouse, city officials went to work turning Main Street into a red-brick showpiece. 

Main Street

"I love what my city is doing," says Vickie Lee.  "What we are doing is renovating our downtown.  We already have more restaurants and shops than we did two years ago."

Sulphur Springs also brought their farmers market downtown by closing both ends of Main Street on Saturdays and allowing vendors to set up in the middle of the street and sell locally-grown produce.  This colorful street has also become a favorite place for people who work or reside near downtown to exercise.  "Walk the Block" signs indicate that five laps around Main Street equals one mile.

Another question put to local businesses was what happened during the two years it took to renovate the courthouse.  An employee of a popular sandwich shop summed it up in four words.

"We held our breath," she said.

After all, it was difficult for an established and successful downtown business to watch workers barricade off the courthouse. 

Did business pick up once renovation of the courthouse was complete?

"Yes," the young lady remarked after thinking it over, "particularly in the summer."

Barbara McCutcheon, chairman of the Fannin County Courthouse Restoration Steering Committee, found the tour of downtown Sulphur Springs very enlightening.

"It's been said the restoration of a courthouse does not influence growth and revitalization in a county," Ms. McCutcheon said.  "It doesn't happen overnight, but the fine people of Hopkins County are doing alot of planning for the future, and it shows in their new
Main Street. It's not surprising to me that all of this revitalization is
happening around the flagship of their county, the Hopkins County Courthouse."

This painting by Sulphur Springs artist Jerry Lee shows the Hopkins County Courthouse exactly as it looked when it opened in 1895. The painting was purchased by a local bank where it will be displayed.