Summer of 2020 in a Small-Town | Yoakum, TX

With a population of 6,000, this small-town in Texas has been deeply impacted by the pandemic. During a season in which festivals, carnivals, and movies would normally occur, these folk now have to adapt and figure out a way to survive a pandemic summer.
This Documentary took a lot of work! I spent the entirety of the summer filming this and spent a whole month to edit it all together into this narrative. This is by far the most "professional" thing I've done, I really hope you all enjoy it!
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[@dhansel4835]

The Grand Theater bring back a lot of memories. I remember in the early 60's when the 10 Commandments came out the high school was closed and everyone went to see this movie. You couldn't do that today. I remember the tomato sheds on 1st street. We would load up our pickup with tomatoes, wait in line to unload them. I believe we got .02 cents per lb. Back in the days we had two hotels, 5 limber yards, 4 car dealers, a candy company, a mattress company, 2 banks now 3, 3 hardware type stores, 3 drug stores, 2 dry cleaners, Swift turkey processing plant next to HEB and a multitude of other stores. I remember the Dinky passenger train. It would I believe start in Yorktown go through Cuero, Yoakum and on to Houston. I remember seeing a building next to Drive In Cleaners that said "Dinky Stop Cafe (Hilda)". I knew someone would either take the sign or it would be destroyed. I stopped and took several pictures of it. If this train was running today no telling how many people would travel back and forth to Houston to work. Going down the middle of town I could name all the business from Perry Brothers to K-Woolen and most on the other side. The railroad payed a big part of Yoakum. The truck industry took over and things went down hill from there. Now with the shortage of truck drivers wouldn't it be nice if all that land behind HEB was re-purposed for train traffic use. Talking about the Covid's beginning we stopped at one of the Mexican restaurant people frequent. I was shocked that almost no one was wearing a mask. The wait staff had theirs on but people were coming in shaking hands greeting other people as if nothing is happening. I called one of the beauty shops and ask if they abiding by the Covid protocol. They told me just come on in as business as usual. The place I get my hair cut required a temp. test and fill out a the Covid questionnaire. It's no wonder Lavaca County and probably Dewitt are leading the way for Covid infections. Thanks for this video. These small towns in Texas all have a story to tell.

[@PrairieNightMoon]

Daisy?

[@dhansel4835]

@@PrairieNightMoon No, Doyle.....

[@SAMovieGeeks]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I grew up in Yoakum and was tired of only the big cities being covered in the news during the pandemic. I wanted to highlight my home town and also my favorite theater (that thankfully is still going strong!)

[@nomaderic]

The first movie I remember seeing at a theater was Home Alone right at the grand in yoakum......they have done an AMAZING job reopening it. The people running it are fantastic, its really great for the community. Now my kids got to experience the theater in yoakum.

[@Dayzzd]

My Grandma used to be one of the Pastors here. I used to venture around this place so often as a child. I even found some of the old movie ad clippings. I believe this place birthed my curious mind that I have today.

[@SAMovieGeeks]

That's really cool! I knew the theatre used to be a church but sadly I wasn't around to get to experience it.

[@duanemccarty7547]

been to Yoakum many times when I was a kid. My grandmother Gerda Jetzald lived there and sold Avon. Lived on Hopkins street I believe. I remember TexTan Leather. Use to go to Shiner also to the Shiner Brewery. Bud Jetzald was my step grandfather. I think this is the place I played on stage, like a little grand ole orphrey with piano player AA Carter and some others, that was back in the late 80s..

[@SAMovieGeeks]

That's amazing, I lived in Yoakum for 21 years but have still never visited the Shiner Brewery (although I've been to Shiner many times, mainly to their park).

[@ronniesand3594]

I'm 34.....I had seen a cowboys way with woody Harrelson lol

[@carlosdoesplushyvideos1025]

I live here

[@SAMovieGeeks]

Ayoooo