Culture
Throughout almost all of its long and interesting history, Honey Grove has been considered a leader in the social life of our area and particularly was this true in the decades following the Civil War. With the close of the war the town rapidly grew in size and wealth and by the mid-1800's had a population in excess of 4,000. With the growth in population came a spurt in home building and the crude log houses of the early settlers were soon to disappear. By the 1890's the families of considerable financial means vied with each other in the size and splendor of the homes they built for their growing families. These mansions that were constructed in nearly every part of the town often equalled or surpassed those of any other city in Texas and our community was justifiedly proud of them, as it is today. The families were often large and these lovely homes were usually filled with the laughter and gaiety of young voices. The vivacity of the youth and the splendor of the homes blended together to stimulate social gatherings and events that would be the envy of any debutante of our present day.
Out of this social climate emerged several groups of young ladies and young men as they formed social clubs in order to enhance the activities of the day. When formal parties were held the attire was almost always the best that families could afford and the fashions created by local seamstresses for the young ladies could not be surpassed anywhere. The men’s attire was usually just as fine although not as elegant. Favors for the parties were like as not ordered direct from St. Louis or New York and the most elegant refreshments that can be imagined were created by artisans in Dallas and sent in packed in ice, much to the delight of those gathered about the dining tables. Live music was often at hand and formal "Balls" were often given in one of the homes that had a third floor devoted exclusively to dancing.
Not to be outdone by the social life of the younger couples the town itself sponsored special events and parades several times a year. The Fourth of July parades became famous for the splendor of the floats and prizes were awarded for the best of them. Hundreds of hours of work went into the decorations for the parades. - John Black, Honey Grove Signal-Citizen, January 28, 1977.
Honey Grove Shakespeare Club, 1902-1903. View the Yearbook.
Honey Grove Municipal Band, 1926.
Read about Honey Grove's Movie Palaces.
Read about Honey Grove Theatres, by Alma Braudrick
Skating in 1882-83 in Honey Grove
Picnics at Beaver Dam
Going to the State Fair in Dallas
The Circus in Honey Grove
The Kooking Klub
Honey Grove Signal, November 4, 1910. Last Thursday evening the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Kooking Klub was celebrated at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. A. Dailey, The Kooking Klub is the oldest social organization in the city, and this anniversary meeting is looked forward to each year by members of friends of the Klub as one of the most enjoyable social events of the season. The genial smile and hearty handclasp of the host and hostess bespoke a cordial welcome to every guest and the entire evening was fraught with pleasure and good cheer, characteristic of these annual meetings and of any social gathering in this hospitable home. The popular game of "Forty-two" furnished entertainment for the evening, after which delightful refreshments were served. All were lavish in their expressions of a jolly good time.
Read about Honey Grove Famous Dish, Slang-Jang
Learn about The Twentieth Century Club, a women's social and service organization from the early 1900s.
Read about the natatorium (swimming pool) at Crockett Park.
Cook Book of the Westminster Guild of the Presbyterian Church, Honey Grove, 1922