What Has Happened to Roxton’s Community Spirit?

Here at the Progress, we occasionally receive phone calls, emails, and letters on the state of the community. For those who are Roxton natives relocated to other cities in Texas and other states, the comment, “I don’t recognize the names anymore” is most frequent. To that, our only answer is that like any other community, Roxton has changed over the years. In part, the change is due to the unavoidable passage of time. It is also due to the societal progress; little agricultural towns like Roxton aren’t as necessary as they were in the past. Today’s society is in search of bargains, and bargains are readily accessible in places like Paris, Bonham, Sherman, and Greenville, not to mention on-line. Northeast Texas is a much smaller place than in Roxton’s heyday. Traveling 30 or 40 minutes is now easy for most people, and the result has been a loss of commerce in small towns across Lamar, Delta, and Fannin Counties. Roxton’s once had landmark businesses like J.T. and Mildred Landers City Drug Store, Ridgeway’s Grocery, and Nettie Whipple’s General Store. In the 1970s, at least five gas stations, along with a couple of mechanics, served the community. And, of course, a couple of years ago, Roxton ISD ceased to exist. Although the process was in motion long before the consolidation with Chisum ISD, a loss of community pride and spirit seemed to deflate Roxton when its youngsters began attending out-of-town schools. The vision of kids along the streets heading toward school is just a memory, much like the sidewalks that once lined the streets of our community. Yes, Roxton did have sidewalks, but they are either removed or covered with topsoil today Those who contact this newspaper are correct. The names in Roxton have changed. But must the community’s pride and spirit change as well? Places like Roxton do not survive without active citizens. And that involvement can’t come from just a few. All residents need to be involved to the extent they are able. Roxton can’t count on a few people to hold the reigns forever. New blood and new ideas are always needed. And in a society that is changing faster than most anyone can document, it’s the younger segment of Roxton’s population who must take charge. Social media is ripe with complaints from young adults and those whose family histories don’t stretch back 150 years that their voices go unheard. But as the community’s newspaper, we can tell you that the older generation that many believe ignores their voices is ready for new and younger leadership to emerge. A look at the makeup of any of the several community- oriented committees makes the point obvious. Whether it’s the Community Development Committee (CDC), Chaparral Trail and Museum Board, the Lura Gregory Memorial Library Board, or one of Roxton’s other groups of involved citizens, the makeup of each reveals largely the same names. Do senior citizens, especially those in their late 70s and early 80s have the energy to be so involved in keeping Roxton an active, vibrant community? We believe the answer is in Roxton is “Yes,” but this same group realizes the foundation it has built must be picked up by a new generation. New ideas, and new citizens with new skillsets are needed to take over. But despite efforts to recruit new members, the results continue to be unsuccessful. Take for instance the Roxton Clean Up day held on June 19. The city-wide event was well publicized, a fact that became obvious when residents loaded large dumpsters with their personally discarded items in about two hours. After the debris was crushed down to make room, in three hours the dumpsters again overflowed. While this service to help individuals clean out their homes, garages, sheds, and yards was successful, reports came in that community projects needed resident involvement. Likewise, two times since January, the Community Development Committee has put out a call for individuals or organizations to “adopt” public areas of Roxton much as some organizations adopt a stretch of highway to maintain. Two calls for volunteers have resulted in only one response. After the pandemic, the CDC anticipated that people would want to get out and become more involved in the community. Based on early activity, that expectation appears to be little more than hope. In light of all this information — and this column is by no means intended to be a lecture — the good news is that Roxton still has time. New families are building homes in areas outside the city limits but still within the Roxton zip code. Some have already subscribed to this newspaper six to twelve months before they plan to move to the area. That alone is a sign that community involvement has great potential for growth. But while Roxton will surely welcome the newcomers, it cannot wait on them. If people like those building homes now are going to continue moving to the area, they will have to spread word that Roxton lives up to its “Hometown U.S.A.” nickname. They will have to move to a community already showing its pride and spirit and join active committees in making Roxton a better place to live. For anyone finding any truth in what is written here, the time to act is now! Whether you are wealthy or poor; African American, Caucasian, or Hispanic; or old or young, your input matters. You may represent an underserved segment of the community or even one that is not widely recognized. If so, then step up and offer your ideas. Roxton — all of Roxton and the surrounding area — is a community, and the pride once made Roxton a bright spot as the only incorporated town in southwest Lamar County. That shining star may have faded a bit, but we hold little doubt that community spirit — just like the sidewalks that once lined Roxton’s streets — is just below the surface. It is time to step up and seize the opportunity to rebuild Roxton in terms of pride, spirit, and the economic and commercial development that will naturally.. And it is up to each of you to become involved if Roxton is to be all that it can.