TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Established 1914 Celebrating 109 Years
In 1913, Texarkana was a bustling hub of growth and prosperity, serving as a pivotal center for commerce across the four states area for railroading, agriculture, business, and timber. The city’s fortune was further enhanced by a group of affluent
Established 1909 Celebrating 114 Years
Logan Electric commenced operations on November 11, 1909, under the visionary leadership of George H. Logan, situated at 202 East Broad Street. Relocating in 1940 to 208 East Broad Street, Logan Electric has been in business for over 114 years on the same block in Texarkana, Arkansas. In the 1950s, Ed Felps joined the team under Logan, eventually acquiring the business with Dick Waddell in 1960, marking Logan’s well-deserved retirement. Since 1974, Logan Electric has blossomed into a family enterprise, with Rusty Felps leading the charge. The familial bond strengthened as Rusty’s wife, Sharon, joined in 2002, followed by their son Scott in 2012, ensuring Logan Electric’s enduring commitment to excellence for generations to come.
businessmen united in their vision to establish a country club that would rival the finest in the South. They pictured it as a marvelous tool to showcase to visitors and potential commercial interests that were considering locating in Texarkana. On December 19, 1913, this vision took a significant step forward with the election of the first Board of Governors, headed by T.L.L. Temple as president. Texarkana Country Club was inaugurated in 1914, featuring a modest nine- hole course with sand greens. Recognizing the need for a more distinguished and challenging golf course, the club’s membership in 1922 selected the renowned architectural firm of Langford and Moreau from Chicago to design what would become the club’s current esteemed course. This strategic move not only enhanced the club’s prestige, but also solidified its status as a local landmark in the region, reflecting Texarkana’s growing significance and affluence.
Established 1901 Celebrating 123 Years
In 1901, Alex Richardson established Richardson Funeral Home, marking the first funeral home in Texarkana dedicated to the African American community. Following Alex Richardson’s passing, his daughter, Emma Richardson Jones, continued the business. Her three sons, Elbert T. Jones, John E. Jones, and Roland F. Jones, and her husband, Theron Jones, continued to uphold the family legacy in the funeral business. Substantial changes came in April 2001 when Patrick Hill bought and renamed the funeral home Richardson Hill Funeral Home. The company is still engaged in various pioneering efforts. Although they have been through many changes, they still strive for perfection to ensure the realization of their new motto, “We are all about service.”
Established 1924 Celebrating 100 Years
United Way of Greater Texarkana has been around since 1924; however, known then as the Texarkana Community Chest. The goal was simple: use a single campaign to benefit multiple agencies. "In the past 100 years, United Way of Greater Texarkana has put back $50 million into this community,” said Danny Gray, past Campaign Chair in 2011. As Texarkana grew, so did the needs in our community. United Way of Greater Texarkana initially partnered with Caddo Area Boy Scouts and The Salvation Army to support programs that would positively impact the Greater Texarkana area. Currently, the United Way collaborates with area nonprofits, local government, and schools to effect positive change in our community. This has been their mission for the last 100 years. They are still dedicated to improving lives in the Greater Texarkana area and support 30+ which focus on Health, Education, and/or Financial Stability. UWGT President/CEO Mark Bledsoe says, "We are still proudly serving Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas and looking forward to the next 100 years!"
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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