Montague County vs. Trinity County
Boots & Timber
The week concludes with a contrast between the leather artisans of the Red River and the timber workers of the deep woods. Montague County is home to Nocona (Nocona Boots) and the Chisholm Trail history. Trinity County is a logging stronghold, home to Groveton and the Davy Crockett National Forest. One is defined by cowboys and baseball gloves; the other by pines and sawmills.
Montague County (Population Approx. 20,000)
Montague County is cowboy craft country. Nocona was made famous by Nocona Boots and Nokona baseball gloves (still made there). The county sits on the Red River and celebrates its Chisholm Trail heritage. The vibe is western, industrious, and proud. Challenges include rural revitalization and maintaining infrastructure.
Trinity County (Population Approx. 13,500)
Trinity County is deep in the timber. Groveton and Trinity serve as hubs for a region dominated by the forestry industry and outdoor recreation (Lake Livingston border). The community is quiet, resilient, and connected to the woods. Residents face the challenges of a shifting timber economy and rural healthcare access.
Why It Matters
Montague County manufactures iconic Texas products. Trinity County harvests the raw material for Texas homes. Both counties demonstrate the skill and labor of rural Texans.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the bootmaker in Nocona and the logger in Groveton both craft our state's future.
In Montague County, the manufacturing legacy is unique. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who prioritize small business support and vocational training, rather than partisan gridlock. Ranked Choice Voting would help the diverse towns work together.
In Trinity County, the forest is the future. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who prioritize sustainable forestry and rural infrastructure. It ensures that the timber belt has a voice in Austin.
Did You Know…
Nocona (Montague) is the home of Nokona Athletic Goods, one of the last baseball glove manufacturers in the U.S.
Trinity County contains a large portion of the Davy Crockett National Forest.
Nocona Boots were legendary, and the town hosts the Vic Janowicz Memorial.
Groveton (Trinity) was founded by the Trinity County Lumber Company and remains a timber town.
Red River Station in Montague County was a major crossing for the Chisholm Trail.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Montague residents love the "Made in USA" pride, the Chisholm Trail rodeos, and the rolling hills. Trinity locals love the smell of pine, the quiet fishing holes, and the deep roots of the logging families.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Chisholm Trail Rodeo (Nocona/Montague): A classic western celebration.
Trinity Community Fair: A gathering of families and friends.
Vic Janowicz Memorial (Nocona): Celebrating local history.
Groveton Christmas Festival: Holiday spirit in the pines.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
