Farmersville, Texas

Farmersville originated in 1849 as a settlement on the Jefferson-McKinney Road, and near Republic of Texas National Road. The settlement was named by pioneers William Pickney Chapman & John Hendrex for their chief occupation.[5] After 1854, the Yearys and their neighbors of Sugar Hill (2 miles northeast) began relocating here. H.M. Markham, practicing here by 1855, is said to have been Collin County's earliest physician. The first Methodist Church was organized in 1856. William Gotcher on March 4, 1859, donated land for the public square. A school was operating as early as the 1860s. The first Baptist Church was organized on May 14, 1865.[1]

The town was incorporated on June 2, 1873. First mayor: John S. Rike. Aldermen: James Church, Ben King, John Murchison, Tom Tatum, John P. Utt. Marshall: Jeff Hines.

Institutions from the 1880s that are still in operation include the Farmersville Times, which is the oldest newspaper in Collin County,[6] and the First Bank, as well as the two churches mentioned above.

On June 15, 1945, Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War II, came home to a hero's welcome in Farmersville. Thousand's filled the square to listen to a speech given by him, and the event was noted in the July 16, 1945 edition of Life Magazine. A Texas Historical Commission plaque notes the event on the square.[7]

As the town became a trade center, agriculture kept pace. Farmersville in the 1930s was known as the "Onion Capital of North Texas", annually shipping over 1,000 carloads of onions. Along with some small industry, cattle, cotton, and maize crops remain important.[8]

U.S. Route 380 crosses the south side of the city, leading west 18 miles (29 km) to McKinney and east 15 miles (24 km) to Greenville. Texas State Highway 78 passes through the west side of Farmersville, leading north 10 miles (16 km) to Blue Ridge and southwest 27 miles (43 km) to Garland. The north end of Lavon Lake is 4 miles (6 km) to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Farmersville has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.4 km²), of which 3.8 square miles (9.9 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²), or 4.18%, is water.[4]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 3,118 people, 1,115 households, and 820 families residing in the city. The population density was 962.2 people per square mile (371.6/km²). There were 1,199 housing units at an average density of 370.0 per square mile (142.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.39% White, 10.10% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 5.29% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.13% of the population.

There were 1,115 households out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the city, the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,094, and the median income for a family was $46,700. Males had a median income of $32,331 versus $22,647 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,693. About 8.5% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.

The city is served by the Farmersville Independent School District.[12]

The Farmersville Times is a weekly newspaper published in the city. The newspaper was established in 1885, and is part of C&S Media Publications Inc.[6][13]

• Stevie Benton, bassist for American heavy metal band Drowning Pool, resided in Farmersville and attended Farmersville High School
• Herb Ellis (1921–2010), jazz guitarist, born in Farmersville
• Monty "Hawkeye" Henson, three-time world champion rodeo cowboy, born in Farmersville
• Loren Murchison, winner of two Olympic gold medals
• Audie Murphy, United States' most decorated combat soldier of World War II, spent his childhood in Kingston, Texas and surrounding areas
• Tex Watson, murderer and member of the Manson Family, best known for his involvement in the murder of Sharon Tate and her unborn child, grew up in Copeville but attended Farmersville Independent School District

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Farmersville, Texas.

• City of Farmersville official website
• Texas State Historical Association