Tatum, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tatum, Texas
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Location of Tatum, Texas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Counties | Rusk, Panola |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.78 sq mi (9.80 km2) |
| • Land | 3.78 sq mi (9.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 322 ft (98 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,342 |
| • Density | 365.94/sq mi (141.28/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75691
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| Area code(s) | 903, 430 |
| FIPS code | 48-71924 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412034 |
Tatum is a small city located in the state of Texas, USA. It's special because it's in two different counties: Rusk County and Panola County. In 2020, about 1,342 people lived in Tatum.
Contents
History of Tatum
Tatum was first settled in the 1840s by Albert Tatum and his wife, Mary C. Tatum. In 1848, they built a large farm there.
Later, in 1885, the Santa Fe Railway came through the area. This helped the town grow, and the land was divided into smaller pieces for people to build homes and businesses. One of Albert Tatum's sons, Paul "Uncle Fox" Tatum, had studied architecture. He helped design the streets of the new town. In 1886, he became the town's postmaster.
Tatum is located along an old trading path called Trammel's Trace. There's a special marker at the south end of town to remember this important route. You can also see the old Santa Fe train station, which has been fixed up, in the city park.
Albert Tatum, who founded the town, was born in Georgia in 1810. He owned a lot of land around what is now Tatum, more than 4,000 acres!
Early in the 1900s, Tatum faced some tough times. In 1904, a tornado damaged part of the town. The very next year, a big fire destroyed almost the entire north side of town.
Geography and Climate
Tatum covers an area of about 3.8 square miles (9.8 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water inside the city limits.
Tatum's Climate
The weather in Tatum is known for its hot and humid summers. Winters are usually mild, meaning they are not too cold. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
People of Tatum
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 427 | — | |
| 1950 | 599 | 40.3% | |
| 1960 | 542 | −9.5% | |
| 1970 | 684 | 26.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,339 | 95.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,289 | −3.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,175 | −8.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,385 | 17.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,342 | −3.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The city's population changes over time. Here's a look at the population of Tatum from different years:
- 1940: 427 people
- 1950: 599 people
- 1960: 542 people
- 1970: 684 people
- 1980: 1,339 people
- 1990: 1,289 people
- 2000: 1,175 people
- 2010: 1,385 people
- 2020: 1,342 people
In 2020, there were 1,342 people living in Tatum. There were 494 households and 320 families in the city.
Education in Tatum
Most of Tatum is part of the Tatum Independent School District. This school district serves students in both Rusk County and Panola County parts of the city.
After high school, students in the Rusk County part of Tatum can go to Kilgore Junior College. Students in the Panola County part can attend Panola College.
Fun Things to Do in Tatum
Martin Creek Lake State Park is a great place to visit. It's located about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Tatum. This park was opened in 1976.
The park is on Martin Creek Lake, which is a large lake covering 5,000 acres (20 km²). The lake was built to help cool the nearby Martin Lake Power Plant.
Martin Creek Lake State Park offers many activities all year round. You can go fishing, camping, and watch or photograph wildlife. It's also a good spot for picnics, boating, water skiing, and swimming in the lake (though there are no lifeguards). If you like hiking, there are trails for that too.
The park hosts special events every year. These include Christmas in the Piney Woods in December, a Fourth of July Bike Parade, and an Annual Family Easter Egg Hunt. They also have regular programs on most weekends. These programs might include learning about Geocaching, cooking with a Dutch oven, guided hikes, guided paddling trips, stargazing, and art programs.
Major Roads in Tatum
Several important roads pass through Tatum, making it easy to travel to and from the city. These include:
- State Highway 43
- State Highway 149
- Farm to Market Road 1797
- Farm to Market Road 3231
Famous People from Tatum
Some notable people who have connections to Tatum include:
- Bob Allen: A former baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians.
- Larry Centers: An NFL running back.
- Denarius Moore: A wide receiver who played for the Oakland Raiders.
- Crystal Powell: An actress and comedienne.
