Sumpter, Texas facts for kids

Sumpter was a small town that used to be in the middle of Trinity County, Texas. Today, it's known as a "ghost town" because almost everyone moved away a long time ago.

What Was Sumpter?

Sumpter was officially planned on November 20, 1855. It became an official town in 1862. People were buried in its cemetery as early as 1840, showing that folks lived there even before the town was formally set up.

The County Seat

Sumpter was very important because it was the first "county seat" for Trinity County. A county seat is like the main town in a county. It's where the local government offices are, like the courthouse, and where important records are kept.

A Town's Decline

However, Sumpter's importance changed after a big fire in 1872. This fire destroyed the Sumpter courthouse and all its important papers. After this big loss, another town nearby, called Trinity, was chosen to be the new county seat. Because Trinity became the new center for the county, people slowly started to leave Sumpter. Over time, Sumpter became mostly empty and is now considered a ghost town.