Lamar County, Texas

Antioch Cemetery and Old Antioch Church of Christ Atkinson-Morris House Biardstown School Burial Site of John S. Chisum Camp Maxey Campbell Cemetery Capt. Wm. E. Moore Home Central National Road of the Republic of Texas Central Presbyterian Church Church of the Holy Cross, Episcopal Dr. Patrick W. Birmingham Evergreen Cemetery Ewing House First Baptist Church of Blossom First Baptist Church of Paris First National Bank of Paris First Presbyterian Church First United Methodist Church of Paris Fulton's Trading Post George Washington Stell, Sr. Hayes House Hickory Grove Black Cemetery Hickory Grove Cemetery Home of Sam Bell Maxey J. M. Biard House J. M. Early House J. W. Harrison & Son James Henry Campbell Home John James Culbertson Judge Wm. Henry Lightfoot House Lamar County Lamar County Courthouse Lamar County Fair Lamar County, C. S. A. Lee Cemetery Lee Cemetery Lightfoot-Coleman House McCuistion Home Moore's Springs Cemetery Mount Vernon Mt. Canaan Baptist Church Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Old Cemetery of Paris Old Sumner Cemetery Origin of the Paris Fire of 1916 Paris Paris Cotton Compress Paris Fire Department Paris Junior College Paris Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M. Paris Public Schools Pleasant Grove Providence Baptist Church Robert Cooke Buckner Rockford Church and Cemetery Scott Mansion Shady Grove Cemetery Site of First Anglo-American Settlement in Lamar County Site of Lafayette Site of Shelton's Fort Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland St. Joseph's Hospital St. Paul Baptist Church The Historic Persimmon Grove and Capt. Hill's Military Camp The Paris Fire, 1916 Travis Clack Henderson Tridens Prairie Union Station Wilburn Family Home William Huddle Home Williams, Sheb, Home Williams, Wm. M. (Buckskin)

Lamar County, Texas has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Cherokee. European settlement began in the 1830s when Texas was part of Mexico, and a few years later, the region became part of the Republic of Texas.

The county was established in 1841 and named after Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas. In the mid-19th century, Lamar County became a center for farming and agriculture, with cotton and corn being the primary crops. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further boosted the local economy.

During the American Civil War, Lamar County played a significant role. Many residents joined the Confederate Army, and the county became a key supplier of agricultural goods and troops to the Confederacy. After the war, the economy faced challenges and began diversifying into other industries such as timber and manufacturing.

In the 20th century, Lamar County experienced periods of growth and change. The discovery of oil in nearby counties led to increased economic development, and the county became a hub for the petroleum industry. Today, Lamar County continues to thrive with a strong agricultural base, as well as industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing, making it an important part of Texas' history and economy.
Brief timeline of the history of Lamar County, Texas:

  • 1840: Lamar County founded and named after Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, the second President of the Republic of Texas
  • 1841: First settlement established in the county
  • 1843: County seat designated as Lafayette, later renamed Paris in 1844
  • 1850: Population of the county reaches 3,064
  • 1855: Paris becomes an incorporated town
  • 1861: Lamar County supports secession and joins the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War
  • 1877: The Texas and Pacific Railway reaches Paris, boosting the local economy and population growth
  • 1878: A devastating fire destroys much of downtown Paris
  • 1888: Paris becomes an independent school district
  • 1893: The Sam Bell Maxey House, now a museum, is built in Paris
  • 1922: Paris Junior College is established
  • 1957: Construction begins on the Pat Mayse Lake, providing recreational opportunities for residents
  • 1985: The county courthouse in Paris is added to the National Register of Historic Places
  • 2010: The population of Lamar County reaches 49,793

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Lamar County, Texas.