Clarksville City, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clarksville City, Texas
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Location of Clarksville City, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Counties | Gregg, Upshur |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.53 sq mi (16.92 km2) |
| • Land | 6.37 sq mi (16.50 km2) |
| • Water | 0.16 sq mi (0.41 km2) |
| Elevation | 308 ft (94 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 780 |
| • Density | 119.4/sq mi (46.10/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75693
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| Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
| FIPS code | 48-15172 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409471 |
Clarksville City is a small city in Texas, located in Gregg and Upshur counties. In 2020, about 780 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a rich history, especially linked to the oil industry in East Texas.
Contents
History of Clarksville City
Early Days and Stagecoach Stops
The first people settled in this area before 1845. There was an important stop for stagecoaches at William W. Walters' home. Later, Warren P. Victory owned and ran this stop. The community was first called "Gilead." In 1852, its post office was named "Point Pleasant." However, this post office closed in 1867.
The community became smaller when the railroad was built in 1873. The railroad went around Point Pleasant, and a new town called Gladewater grew instead.
The Oil Boom and New Growth
Things changed a lot in 1930 with the discovery of the East Texas Oil Field. Many homes, businesses, and oil company offices quickly appeared along the main highway. People even called this road the "Main Street of Texas." The area around George W. Clark's home, where the old stagecoach stop used to be, became known as "Clarksville."
Becoming Clarksville City
In the 1940s, the area saw many improvements, like new roads. Lake Gladewater was built in 1952. The nearby city of Gladewater had high taxes and was growing its borders. Businesses to the east worried about being included in Gladewater and paying more taxes.
So, several oil companies and a construction company led by L. W. Pelphrey decided to form their own city. On September 14, 1956, people voted to create Clarksville City. L. W. Pelphrey became the first mayor. He served until he passed away in 1961. A part of the old highway is now named Pelphrey Drive in his honor.
Population Changes and City Life
After the oil drilling slowed down and wells became automated, the population of Clarksville City decreased. Oil companies like Cities Service Oil Company and Sun Oil Company closed their offices in the early 1960s. The population reached a low of 359 people in the 1960s.
However, the city started to grow steadily again. By 1990, Clarksville City had 720 residents and twenty businesses. In 2000, the population was 806. The city has a mayor and a council, and a city manager helps run things. The city hall was built in 1962 and made bigger in 1991. A special Texas historical marker for the old Point Pleasant community is located at the city hall.
Geography of Clarksville City
Clarksville City is in the northwest part of Gregg County. It is located along U.S. Route 80. The city is about 10 miles west of Longview and 2.5 miles east of Gladewater.
The city shares its borders with Gladewater to the west. To the northwest is Warren City, and to the east is White Oak. Lake Deverina, which is on Campbell Creek, is in the southern part of Clarksville City.
The city covers a total area of about 6.5 square miles (16.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water, like Lake Deverina.
Education in Clarksville City
Most students in Clarksville City attend schools in the Gladewater Independent School District. A smaller part of the city is served by the White Oak Independent School District. If you live in the Upshur County part of Clarksville City, you would go to the Union Grove Independent School District.
After high school, students from these school districts can attend Kilgore Junior College.
See also
In Spanish: Clarksville City (Texas) para niños
