De Kalb

The plaque mentions a lumber railroad whose traces still exist. The Handbook of Texas gives its paper trail. The DeKalb and Red River Railroad was chartered on November 27, 1891, with $50,000 in stock, to run about ten miles from DeKalb toward the Red River. In 1892 it built eight miles to Lennox and a mile and a half between Muir and Mooresville, hauling logs for the DeKalb Lumber Company, which supplied the rails and fuel. By 1895 it had one locomotive and sixteen freight cars, and the Railroad Commission had dropped it by June 30, 1899.

What the plaque says

De Kalb Named for Maj. Gen. Johann de Kalb - a hero of the American Revolution - upon suggestion (1836) of David Crockett, a visitor on his way to fight in Texas War for Independence. Other Texas heroes traveling through here were James B. Fannin and Wm. B. Travis. Settled by 1831, when land was given for a public school by Dr. W. H. Boyce, Wm. L. Browning, D. M. Chisholm, Clement R. Johns and Judge (and Dr.) James W. Smith. Site of first college in Bowie County, founded in 1839 and of Ninth Masonic Lodge in Texas, organized 1840. Served as county seat, 1840-1841. On two early stagelines. A stopover for U.S. immigrants to Texas Republic, and 49'ers on way to California gold rush. In 1870's hideouts of train robbers Sam Bass, Jesse James, other notorious characters were nearby. Texas & Pacific Railroad reached here 1876. Site in 1889 of P. S. Ramseur's sawmill which shipped high quality lumber all over United States; to get logs to mill, he built a railroad, traces of which still exist. Although in 1896 and 1923 most of businesses were destroyed by fires, city prospers today. Center of ranching, truck farming, and pulpwood productions. Known as "The Pride of East Texas". (1966)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Atlanta State Park — 29 mi
  A shoreline park on Wright Patman Lake, leased from the Army in 1954, where Caddo ancestors farmed the Sulphur River and wagon traces such as the Bobo Ferry trace still cross the woods.

More markers nearby

• First United Methodist Church of DeKalb — 0.2 mi
• Harvey C. Sanders, C. S. A. — 12 mi
• Site of the Texas Home of Richard Ellis — 12 mi
• New Boston — 12 mi