Sharing an email update with the Tx Historical Commission:

April Garner is a Program Development Specialist with the Heritage Tourism Program of Texas Historical Commission. And this is an exerpt of an email that I sent her in response to her "what can we do to help" email.

April, how exciting to hear back from you so soon! I met with the Visioning Committee and Remelle just last night and I realize that things are moving fast around here! Goree doesn’t wanna get left behind in their dust.

We, as a small town of three hundred in Knox County, are partnering with the Knox County Visioning Group, a county wide effort for bettering our part of Texas. Knox County and Judge Travis Floyd are PIONEERS in this endeavor and it is a very well-known effort. Goree has recently created a 501c-3 organization, Going for Greatness in Goree Group, http://cityofgoree.org/goingforgreatnessingoree.aspx , and this group is partnering with the city government’s brand spankin new 4A/4B corporations (taxes begin in Oct) to rebirth a town. Nature and Historic Tourism are what we are after. Our county wide economic director, Remelle Ferrar, is almost finished with the marketing, maps, etc. for our very own “Adventure Trail” thru Knox County (about to be hot off the presses, saw the final draft yesterday). Goree will fit into this trail, but as things stand right now I need money to get the work started on the ‘city’ side. We have a historic jailhouse, domino hall, and a possible hotel site. We have a building that would be a perfect place for a walk thru historical museum like the one in Hico, Texas. Hunting is hot in our area and so is Miller Creek, a lake right by us. The exterior of our downtown needs awnings, sidewalks and sandblasting of the bricks.

That’s what is going on with the ‘city/county’ side of which I am involved. Now, on the personal side! My husband and I have bought the historic bank building in the downtown area (waiting on the deed). We want to restore it, as close to historic accuracy as possible. The purpose would be for our office space (which is now in our home) and the back portion would be perfect for a hunting lodge with four units. Our business, Trainham Ice & Meat, is in the buildings next door. We have already renovated a small house in Goree for a bed & breakfast and it is up and running. Remelle told me about tax incentives for our project. I’ve studied these incentives over the internet and it seems like our project qualifies. Before work begins, I am under the impression that I need to have this property and the others for the city well on the way of getting on the Natl. Registry.

Thank you for your help and guidance in our endeavors.

City Cafe

It was a sad day in Goree. We lost one of our fathers, grandfathers and friend. Billy Don Hutchens was laid to rest this afternoon. A huge crowd gathered to honor his life and say goodbye.

The Latham Family was present for this special occasion. Jackie, Linda, Charley and Dusty were in town for the funeral and afterwards desired to take a walk through their past. Their parents had a café, The City Café, where the current City Hall is located. They lived in an upstairs apartment that is accessed through a door between the City Hall and the garage sale building. The last known use of this structure was for haunted houses, which was apparent when touring the rooms. The remnants of body parts, spiders and fake blood littered the trail. Surprisingly enough, the second story was in fair condition.

What an honor it was for me to join the four of the five Latham kids as they pulled out memories from their childhood. And, I might add, some of that sibling spunk bubbled to the surface. Charley found where he had carved his initials on the door. Dusty remembered baths where water was dumped over his head. Linda was amazed to see the black trim from when her and her sister painted their room pink and black. Jackie claims that when some of her siblings climbed the water tower, she stayed behind. From time to time she would holler for them to come down or she was gonna tell Momma. The park was their personal playground.

After all these years, these folks still care. I think they care about preserving their memories, but they also want those who call Goree home to enjoy making new memories. As a matter of fact, they care so much that they made donations towards the “Going for Greatness in Goree” Campaign. They thanked me for the tour through the building, but I want to thank them! So here goes, thank you for the generous donations and thank you for the tour through your memories and your hearts. God Bless!

Myrna (not present on this trip), Charley, Dusty, Linda and Jackie