HOLCOMB FAMILY REUNION- This story is a bit of an east Texas history lesson. In 1842, George Creagor Holcomb moved to Texas from Arkansas and later brought his father Joseph and uncle Zachariah Holcomb and their families to relocate on land acquired in Cherokee County. The Holcomb family grew and soon became strongly involved with the community. In 1897 a Holcomb family reunion was organized to honor Joseph and Zachariah Holcomb and to allow kin to renew acquaintances with long absent family members.
Members of the Holcomb Family have been holding family reunions in Cherokee County Texas for decades. In fact this upcoming reunion scheduled for October 9th will mark the 125th reunion. Chris Davis is the county judge for Cherokee County and a member of the Holcomb Family.
“In 1897 several of the cousins and family members got together and they decided they needed to have a reunion, celebrating all the family and making sure all the family ties stayed close,” Davis said. “That year they formed a reunion and about 125 people showed up and it’s continued on ever since.”
Year after year, through good times and bad, the Holcomb family reunion would take place at Cold Springs near the community of Alto, and it has received a recognition as the longest-continuous family reunion in the state of Texas. In fact the reunion has received it’s very own historical marker from the Texas Historical Commission.
“Several people told us they never heard of a historical marker for a celebration and this could be very difficult and we actually got through the first time,” Davis explained.
As mentioned earlier, this will be the 125th anniversary of the Holcomb Family Reunion that will take place on October 9th and Davis is expecting a good turnout.
“Probably back in the early days there would’ve been anywhere from four to five-hundred people there,” Davis said. “This year being the 125th (reunion) we’re hoping for a really large crowd.”
