co-op not coop

 

If you are a bona-fide agricultural producer, for a $10 investment you may become a member of  Producers Cooperative Association.  Formed in 1943, it has become one of the largest member-owned local agricultural supply cooperatives in the nation. Members profit through cooperative marketing, purchase power and dividends.  The Co-op is Doughtery's main business and most farmers opt to drink their coffee and discuss farming in the office rather than sitting on the bench outside.  Good decision.

 

Producers Co-op

708 Texas

Doughtery, Texas

9.21.2013

open education

 

Today only Crosbyton, Ralls and Lorenzo have schools in Crosby County.  The situation was different in the earlier part of the20th century.  Small towns like Emma, Cone and Estacado once  populated the high plains and most built a school house.  The school in Doughtery was built in 1929 but today only partial brick walls still stand.  What looked like a prosperous future in the 1920s faded in the 1930s with the depression, dust bowl and declining cotton production.  The Producers grain elevator towers on the horizon but is also devoid of life and business.  Rural towns are not completely dead but in dire need of life support.

 

Doughtery, Crosby County, Texas

9.21.2013

doughtery main street

 

 At about 5 miles, you know you're getting close to Doughtery because its landmark black water tower appears.  The town appeared in 1928 and might have prospered except, when constructed, Highway 70 bypassed it by 3 miles.  The school closed but the post office is still open ad the Co-op still sells gas.  I took the scenic route via Idalou, Estacado, Farmer, Cone and Lakeview.

Doughtery, Floyd County, Texas
Population:  109