Joseph Thomas La Rue and Stella E. Parsons La Rue

La Rue, the town, began as Morrison Chapel, named in 1884 by J. M. Shelby, H. D. Morrison, Thomas Dunklin and Jesse and R. B. Warren, the Handbook of Texas says. In 1901 the Texas and New Orleans Railroad made it a twelve-mile station and named it for Joseph T. La Rue of Athens, who was instrumental in acquiring the railroad's right-of-way in the county, and the community moved to the new site. It peaked at more than 400 people between the 1920s and 1940s, then lost ground when U.S. Highway 175 made Athens easier to reach.

What the plaque says

Joseph Thomas La Rue_Stella E. Parsons La Rue JOSEPH THOMAS LA RUE (Nov. 18, 1864 - Feb. 13, 1930) Alderman on Athens' first city council (1901). La Rue (town 13 mi. SE) was named for him. Educator, merchant, civic leader, banker, humanitarian, prohibitionist, Democrat, historian. Married March 16, 1892, Stella Elvira Parsons. They had seven children. STELLA E. PARSONS LA RUE (Feb. 16, 1874 - Dec. 7, 1949) Known as first white child born in Terrell; Daughter of Confederate Army surgeon, Dr. Homer Lee Parsons, M.D. (Yale University), and wife, Margaret C.R.R. Parsons. In role of wife and mother, 'Mammy La Rue' was beloved of family and community. Recorded - 1970

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center — 5.7 mi
  A Texas Parks and Wildlife hatchery and visitor center in Athens where visitors can borrow tackle and fish a stocked pond, watch native species in gallery tanks and ride a tram around the hatchery.
• Purtis Creek State Park — 13 mi
  A 1,582-acre park straddling the Henderson and Van Zandt county line, built around a 355-acre lake with no-wake fishing, borrowed tackle, a 4.1-mile hike-and-bike trail and a nature path.

More markers nearby

• Dulcinea Ann Holland Thompson Avriett — steps away
• Clinton Williams Murchison, Sr. — 0.2 mi
• Sid Williams Richardson — 0.2 mi
• Courts Under the Oaks — 0.4 mi