Haskell County Courthouse Christmas Decorations Photo Gallery by Michael Clay Smith at pbase.com

Haskell County Courthouse Christmas Decorations

My grandmother's house, Allie Belle Smith, was decorated by my Dad and Mom each year until Allie Belle passed away in 2002.

The decorations were donated to Haskell County to be placed on the Courthouse Square later that same year. Many additions have been made to make this years display.

All comments and votes are greatly appreciated.

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Guest		15-Dec-2008 01:23
My wife and I were visiting Dr Kemp and his wife Billie Jean who is my wifes sister. This is the first year we got to be there around the hoidays and we were amazed with the decorations especially the gazebo. I have seen couthouses throughout Texas that were decorated for the holidays but Haskell's is far and away the most spectacluar. Thanks for sharing with us. Ron and Dorothy Hansen Austin Texas

GUEST		04-Dec-2008 02:57
hey i really love those photos! thanks for sharing! i bet people really enjoy looking at such great pics!

Richard Rieves		20-Mar-2006 18:12
Thank you so much for the pictures of the square and of the Methodist church. I spent a lot of time in my childhood looking at both those places. My dad, Allen Rieves, owned the Western Auto store on the south side of the square from 1956-1965, and we sat in the Methodist church almost every Sunday. I have lived and worked in Hamburg, Germany for the last 30 years, so it is like a dream from my childhood to see these pictures. I would love to hear from any Haskell people who read this.

paula		12-Jan-2006 02:50
Allie Belle was such a rock in our and now your parents have stepped right in.

Guest		23-Dec-2005 01:46
Mike, Thanks to you, your mom and your dad for letting us enjoy what Clay and Allie Belle let us enjoy every year when we came to Haskell during the Christmas holidays. Jo Helen Elliott Phillips, Kempner, Texas

Edward Nabeel David		21-Dec-2005 15:37
My wife and I drove through Haskell on the way to Dallas at Thanksgiving. I was so proud to see the decorations around the square. In the 500 miles between Roswell, NM. and Dallas, the decorations in Haskell were the best. My mother, uncle and grandmother would have been delighted with what Haskell has done with its square. May everyone in Hakell have a merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Camille David Zihlman		21-Dec-2005 03:39
Michael: This was forwarded to me and I greatly appreciate seeing the photos since my mother (Nabeela Hassen David) grew up in Haskell and my grandmother and uncle (Fadwa and Raja Hassen) lived there until there deaths. Seeing the photos bring back such great memories of the years past spending them in Haskell. Thank you for keeping Haskell alive. It is wonderful that your family donated the beautiful decorations to the County. Thank you, Camille David Zihlman, Dallas, Tx

Guest		20-Dec-2005 19:41
Michael, Thanks so much for the photos. Your parents, Bob and Darlene, put in many long hours making the display so beautiful. We get to see the creations from our office on the south side of the square and enjoy them each day. Everyone should know that this is not your parents' only project. They have helped with many others in the community and are such an asset to Haskell. Merry Christmas, John and Mary Rike

Guest		20-Dec-2005 15:28
Our old courthouse is always so majestic, but it never looks as beautiful as when Darlene and Bobby Neal Smith spend HOURS of their time decorating around it at Christmas. We all enjoyed Allie Belle & Clays yard at Christmas and to think their memory lives on with these beautiful decorations donated in their name to Haskell County. Mattie Muerl Felker English was instrumental in getting the gazebo built and she would be so proud to see it decorated for the holiday season. And please, notice the manger with baby Jesus, you don't see that displayed often enough these days!!! Thank you Michael for this lovely web site. Joanie

Sara Parker Bates		19-Dec-2005 17:48
My great-grandparents, Dennis and Beulah Ratliff lived two houses down from Allie Belle and Clay. My sister, myself, and the other great grandchildren would walk from our grandparents to M-System numerous times on a daily basis when we would be visiting. One of the things that we enjoyed most was visiting with Allie Belle on our way if she happened to be outside. She was always so sweet to us and always had a cookie or some kind of treat handy to give us. Their house was always so beautiful at Christmas and as childredn we were in awe of all of the decorations. I have taken my own daughter several times already this year to see the decorations. It is wonderful to see the spirit that Allie Belle and Clay instilled in so many carried on. Thank you all so much for continuing the tradition and giving the children of today the opportunity to experience it as well.

Jana Overton Norville		19-Dec-2005 16:26
What an honoring & special remembrance of two such wonderful people! My children love to drive around the square when in Haskell. I had no idea that these were the decorations from Allie Belle & Clay's yard! Two lives continuing to have a lasting, loving, positive impact on the community even still........ Thank you for sharing!

D. E Zandona		19-Dec-2005 00:52
Had family in Haskell for many years and a friend who lives there and passed these wonderful pictures along to me in California, so I could enjoy too.

Guest		18-Dec-2005 15:50
We have friends in Haskell and we enjoyed your pictures. Robert & Lola, Liberal, Kansas

Kay		09-Dec-2005 13:50
Your grandmother would be delighted with the additions. Thanks for sharing your family traditions.

BARBARA BOX		09-Dec-2005 00:59
THE PICTURES ARE GREAT. I AM AN EX HASKELL COUNTY RESIDENT AND STILL ENJOY HEARING AND SEEING NEWS OF HASKELL

Guest		08-Dec-2005 15:46
Thanks for this remembrance of home. What a precious gift from you to us. Sherry Burson Upshaw

Nelda		07-Dec-2005 01:18
Mike, Thanks so much for getting these pictures online. I plan to forward them to several friends and family. Isn't it the prettiest thing! Bob (and Darlene) did a great job. We are so grateful to them.

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