Hawkins, Texas

By 1884, Hawkins was shipping lumber, shingles, livestock and cotton, according to the Handbook of Texas. It had about 400 residents, five general stores, five steam mills, three churches, two hotels and a district school.

In October 1940, former boxer Bobby Manziel drilled "the first major oil discovery in Wood County," a wildcat well 3½ miles north of town (Handbook of Texas). Later that year, oil came in inside the city limits, and lots sold for $500 to $10,000. The population went from about 200 in 1940 to 1,200 in 1941. Humble Oil and Refining Company, later Exxon, became the main driller in the Hawkins field. The Legislature's resolution says the company produced oil there for decades.

Jarvis Christian was founded in 1912 just outside Hawkins. First classes were held in January 1913 at Jarvis Christian Institute, "located just east of town," according to the Legislature's 2023 resolution. It was incorporated as Jarvis Christian College in 1928 and is now Jarvis Christian University. The Handbook of Texas notes its long affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). By 1988, it was the only one left of the twelve Black colleges the church originally founded.

The Hawkins Pancake Festival is held each April. KLTV reported in 2024 that it has been celebrated since the mid-1980s in honor of Lillian Richard. She took a job with the Quaker Oats Company in 1925 portraying Aunt Jemima and traveled the country promoting the brand.

The Hawkins Oil Festival is held each fall — in October in 2022–2024, and on Saturday, September 26 in 2026, per the Longview News-Journal. KLTV's coverage of the October 12, 2024 festival described a parade with floats, classic cars and marching bands, plus a petting zoo, arts and crafts, music and food. The Hawkins Chamber of Commerce is involved in the event. Confirm next year's date locally before you go.

Lake Hawkins is a 633-acre reservoir on Little Sandy Creek, about 4 miles northwest of town. It was impounded in 1962 and is up to 30 feet deep, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. TPWD calls largemouth bass a popular sport fish in this clear, heavily vegetated lake. Bass anglers often hook chain pickerel too. Crappie quality is "sporadic," and catfish are generally uncommon. Crappie fishermen work the standing timber and the area under the FM 2869 bridge.

Wood County operates four one-lane concrete ramps. Its park at the dam (156 CR 3455) has a fishing pier, RV and tent sites and picnic facilities. TPWD lists a $5 per person user fee there; the other ramps are free.

Hawkins ISD had 777 students in 2026 on two campuses: Hawkins Elementary and Hawkins High School/Middle. Those figures come from the Texas Tribune's schools explorer, which draws on state data. The teams are the Hawks. In March 2026, KLTV reported that the boys basketball team had reached the Class 2-A regional finals for the first time in program history.