Employment in Nacogdoches

Employment in the Deep East Texas Workforce Development Area (WDA) increased five-tenths of a percentage point in October 2005. Of the twelve counties in this WDA, Nacogdoches County had the largest over-the-month increase in employment by adding 183 workers. Nacogdoches County's unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in October.

For more info, go to http://www.twc.state.tx.us

Cycling the El Camino Real

Mark Stine



Mark Stine rolled into Nacogdoches this week, nearing the end of his 600-plus mile trek along the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas. Pedalling a rig that weighs about 70 pounds, Mark is retracing the route that connected the United States with New Spain and later Mexico, when Texas was part of those countries. In our neck of the woods, that route is typically along State Highway 21, which goes through Nacogdoches as Main Street, and includes the famous red brick pavers surrounding the town square.
Heritage cyclists Mark Stine , Frank Barrow, and Mikail Davenport started on October 21, 2005 beginning in Eagle Pass, winding their way from the Rio Grande crossing near Guerrero, Mexico to San Antonio, and through San Marcos, Austin, Cameron, Crockett and Nacogdoches. After Nacogdoches, they plan to ride to San Augustine, ending at the trail head in Natchitoches (nack-a-tish), Louisiana on or about November 6th. They invited cyclists to join the ride anywhere along the route. Contact Mark Stine via email. Here's Mark's web discussion on the Nacogdoches portion of the ride.

History in progress

Jeff Abt's latest project in Nacogdoches: Southern Garden Homes, located on Lanana Street, facing historic Oak Grove Cemetery. Styled as Savannah row homes, the two-story, 2,000-square-foot-plus structures should blend in well in the old neighborhood. With Jeff's expert landscaping, these should look great. Jeff and his wife are planning to live in one of the units, with the other two available for sale. Each property will have a detached garage with storage.
When the homes are completed, and if the trees in the cemetery don't get in the way, you may be able to stand on one of the second-story balconies and see the large obelisk that marks the grave of Thomas J. Rusk.