By Scott Harvey
Hunt County – "Pride" and "blessing" were the words spoken during Tuesday morning's historical marker dedication honoring the Caddo peoples in Hunt County.
Historians are quick to reference their friendliness and talents as agriculturalists and making bows, notably from bois d'Arc wood. The Caddo people are thought to have thrived in the region for nearly 1,000 years, from approximately 800 to 1800 AD.
"It's always an honor for us to come down when our ancestors are recognized and remembered here," said Chairman of the Caddo Nation Tribal Council Brenda Edwards. "We strive for that recognition every day."
Over 5,000 Caddos are in existence today, mainly residing in Oklahoma, with a headquarters in Binger.
Hunt County Court at Law #1 Judge Andy Bench presented Edwards and members of the Council a proclamation marking June as Caddo Month. Local history buff Phil Weatherford and retired archivist with Texas A&M University-Commerce Dr. Jim Conrad spoke to the significance of the Caddo peoples, and gifted to Edwards a mural and book depicting the Caddos presence in Hunt County.
"Our ancestors that came before us, they deserve that respect from that longevity and we have that to follow... We admire and we excel to be that kind of person," Edwards said.
The historical marker sits near the intersection of Highway 69 and FM 1564 on the east side of the highway, about seven miles south of Greenville. First recorded in 1957, the site comprises an open occupation site with ceramic, mixed archaic and late prehistoric or protohistoric occupations.