Crockett Lions Club History
The Crockett Lions Club was organized on September 15, 1923. Charter night was celebrated at the Green Parrot Tea Room on January 24, 1924. No civic organization in Houston County ever justified its existence better than the Crockett Lions Club. On Novermber 13, 1923, the City Council of Crockett accepted a proposition to deed it the Shakespeare lot for the erection of the auditorium, library, and restroom. This deal was consummated. Later the Lions club, in conjunction with Mrs. Hortense Sweet, sponsored paving the street to Glenwood Cemetery.
The Lions Club sponsored the improvement of the Pickwick Hotel, which transformed it into the three-story Crockett Hotel. The Lions held meetings at the Crockett Hotel from the early 1930s until it burned down. Raymond and Alta Stokes Corneilus owned the hotel, and she supervised the restaurant. The restaurant was well known for outstanding food and service.
Another club was organized in 1937. About six of our good members moved to the new club. However, our activities never diminished.
A crowning achievement of the early years was the Lions Club sponsorship of the new Courthouse. This project was born in a meeting of the Directors of the Lions Club and was achieved through the untiring efforts of the club, led by Lion C.W. Kennedy.
Lion Frank Towery became a Lion on April 1, 1941, and was active until shortly before his death in 2004. Our monthly dues in 1949 were $6 per month. The Crockett Lions Club sponsored a new club in Centerville around 1956 when Lion Frank Towery was club President. The area Headquarters was in Beaumont, and the new club was in a different area. The club received permission from State Headquarters to sponsor the new club. The name was changed to the Crockett Noon Lions Club for a few years during the 1980s, while the Crockett Night Lions Club existed.
Each Crockett Lion receives a Club Pin that was adopted in 2006. The pin illustrates links to Lions International by the Lions Purple and Gold colors, the Lions International symbol, and our Lions Motto "We Serve." Our local club is illustrated by the Crockett Lions Club across the top, Davy Crockett carrying the Texas flag, and "Since 1923" commemorating our founding.
Our Lion zeal has never diminished. The Crockett Lions have sponsored the Lions Club Rodeos since 1963, and celebrated our 47th rodeo in 2009. The Lions Club has managed the Porth Agricultural Arena, on behalf of the city, since 1988. We support Lions Sight programs, sponsor eye exams and glasses for needy Houston County children, and offer annual scholarships for students. The Crockett Lions continue to work tirelessly to live by our motto "We Serve."
