BlockBefore

Anderson County, Texas

56 topographic sheets and 14 fire insurance atlases across 3 places.

Research this county

From the record

26 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Texas within the United States
Anderson County within Texas
Explore by year 1879 1895

What the record shows

  • 3 places in this county were surveyed for fire insurance: Palestine, Frankston, Elkhart, between 1885 and 1949.
  • 14 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
  • 466 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 26 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 20 buildings, 5 districts and 1 object.
  • 1 of the 26 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 41 populated places in this county; 40 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

9 photographs, 1939

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Truckload of Mexican migrants returning from Mississippi where they had been picking cotton. Highway near Neches, Texas, Anderson County
Truckload of Mexican migrants returning from Mississippi where they had been picking cotton. Highway near Neches, Texas, Anderson County
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Truckload of Mexican migrants returning from Mississippi where they had been picking cotton. Highway near Neches, Texas, Anderson County
Truckload of Mexican migrants returning from Mississippi where they had been picking cotton. Highway near Neches, Texas, Anderson County
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Truckload of Mexican migrants returning from Mississippi where they had been picking cotton. Highway near Neches, Texas, Anderson County
Truckload of Mexican migrants returning from Mississippi where they had been picking cotton. Highway near Neches, Texas, Anderson County
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Truckload of Mexican migrants returning from Mississippi where they had been picking cotton. Highway near Neches, Texas, Anderson County
Truckload of Mexican migrants returning from Mississippi where they had been picking cotton. Highway near Neches, Texas, Anderson County
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Red Brick Schoolhouse, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Red Brick Schoolhouse, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Mallard-Alexander-McNaughton House, 407 East Kolstad Street, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Mallard-Alexander-McNaughton House, 407 East Kolstad Street, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Dorsett House, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Dorsett House, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
George Pessony House, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
George Pessony House, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Schwirter House, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Schwirter House, Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

26

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Anderson Camp Groundbuilding198282001735
Anderson County Courthousebuilding199292001256
Anderson County Jailbuilding199898000692
Bethel Baptist Churchbuilding2025100012086
William and Caroline Broyles Housebuilding198888002614
Denby Buildingbuilding199898000694
G. E. Dilley Buildingbuilding199898000698
First Presbyterian Churchbuilding199898000695
Freeman Farmbuilding200000000656
Gatewood-Shelton Ginbuilding199898000637
Howard Housebuilding199393000072
Lincoln High Schoolbuilding199898000636
Link Housebuilding198080004073
Michaux Park Historic Districtdistrict200404000380
Mount Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Churchbuilding199898000635
North Side Historic Districtdistrict199898000825
Old Town Residential Historic Districtdistrict200606000509
Palestine Carnegie Librarybuilding198888001944
Palestine High Schoolbuilding198686002295
Palestine New Town Commercial Historic Districtdistrict2021100007058
Post Office-Palestinebuilding199898000693
John H. Reagan Monumentobject199898000633
Redlands Hotelbuilding199898000634
Robinson Bank Buildingbuilding199898000691
Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Schoolbuilding197979002909
South Side Historic Districtdistrict199898000826

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

2

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Land ownership map, 1895 - Map of Anderson County
Land ownership map (1895) - Map of Anderson County. Library of Congress.
Land ownership map, 1879 - Map of Anderson County, Texas
Land ownership map (1879) - Map of Anderson County, Texas. Library of Congress.

Photographs from libraries nationwide

1 of 12 shown

Selected from the Digital Public Library of America's 12 image records catalogued for this county. Every one shown here carries a public-domain status or a licence that permits reuse on a site that carries advertising; non-commercial, share-alike and restricted images are excluded. The selection is spread across the county's towns (at most eight per town), so no single institution's bulk upload crowds out the rest. Each opens the holding library's record, and the complete set at the Digital Public Library of America is one click away.

Highlander Motel, Palestine, Texas, Boston Public Library - undated
Highlander Motel, Palestine, Texas. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.

The county from the air

48 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 2,317 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 48 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1943-11-29, scale 1:27200
1943-11-29, scale 1:27200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1943-11-29, scale 1:27200
1943-11-29, scale 1:27200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1943-11-29, scale 1:27200
1943-11-29, scale 1:27200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1943-11-29, scale 1:27200
1943-11-29, scale 1:27200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1946-12-21, scale 1:23600
1946-12-21, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1946-12-21, scale 1:23600
1946-12-21, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1946-12-21, scale 1:23600
1946-12-21, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1946-12-21, scale 1:23600
1946-12-21, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1947-01-22, scale 1:23600
1947-01-22, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1947-01-22, scale 1:23600
1947-01-22, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1947-01-22, scale 1:23600
1947-01-22, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1947-01-22, scale 1:23600
1947-01-22, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1949-11-14, scale 1:70000
1949-11-14, scale 1:70000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1949-11-14, scale 1:70000
1949-11-14, scale 1:70000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1949-11-14, scale 1:70000
1949-11-14, scale 1:70000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1949-11-14, scale 1:70000
1949-11-14, scale 1:70000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-11-20, scale 1:69000
1952-11-20, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-11-20, scale 1:69000
1952-11-20, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-11-20, scale 1:69000
1952-11-20, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-11-20, scale 1:69000
1952-11-20, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-03, scale 1:69000
1953-01-03, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-03, scale 1:69000
1953-01-03, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-03, scale 1:69000
1953-01-03, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-07-05, scale 1:16000
1958-07-05, scale 1:16000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-07-05, scale 1:16000
1958-07-05, scale 1:16000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-07-05, scale 1:16000
1958-07-05, scale 1:16000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-07-05, scale 1:16000
1958-07-05, scale 1:16000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1963-02-07, scale 1:17000
1963-02-07, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1963-02-07, scale 1:17000
1963-02-07, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1963-02-07, scale 1:17000
1963-02-07, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1963-02-07, scale 1:17000
1963-02-07, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-10-10, scale 1:115674
1970-10-10, scale 1:115674. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-10-10, scale 1:115674
1970-10-10, scale 1:115674. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-10-10, scale 1:115674
1970-10-10, scale 1:115674. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-10-10, scale 1:115674
1970-10-10, scale 1:115674. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-03-30, scale 1:76000
1971-03-30, scale 1:76000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-03-30, scale 1:76000
1971-03-30, scale 1:76000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-04-04, scale 1:18000
1971-04-04, scale 1:18000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-04-04, scale 1:18000
1971-04-04, scale 1:18000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-12-22, scale 1:24000
1972-12-22, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-12-22, scale 1:24000
1972-12-22, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-12-22, scale 1:24000
1972-12-22, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-12-22, scale 1:24000
1972-12-22, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-05-01, scale 1:76000
1974-05-01, scale 1:76000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-05-01, scale 1:76000
1974-05-01, scale 1:76000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-05-01, scale 1:76000
1974-05-01, scale 1:76000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-05-01, scale 1:76000
1974-05-01, scale 1:76000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-03-17, scale 1:25000
1976-03-17, scale 1:25000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

14 stations, 2 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

51 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 1-1Justice Precinct 1: Palestine city: Palestine city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; City limits; E. Lacy; N. Ash, E. Murchison, Perry, E. Hodges, Head
  • 1-2Palestine city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; Head, E. Hodges, Perry, E. Murchison; E. Lacy; N. Elm, E. Kolstad, N. Link
  • 1-3Palestine city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; N. Link, E. Kolstad, N. Elm; E. Lacy; N. Sycamore
  • 1-4Palestine city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by E. Lacy; City limits; International and Great Northern Railroad; N. Sycamore
  • 1-5Palestine city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; City limits, N. Sycamore; W. Carolina, N. Esplanade, W. Brooklyn, Dal Mar; City limits
  • 1-6Palestine city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by W. Carolina; N. Sycamore; W. Green; N. Esplanade
  • 1-7Palestine city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; Del Mar, W. Brooklyn, N. Esplanade; W. Lacy, N. Dexter, W. Sterne; City limits
  • 1-8Palestine city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by W. Green; N. Tennessee Ave.; W. Lacy; N. Esplanade
  • 1-9Palestine city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by W. Green; N. Sycamore; W. Lacy; N. Tennessee Ave.
  • 1-10Palestine city - That part of Ward excluding O'Neill Hotel Bounded by W. Lacy; N. Sycamore; International and Great Northern Railroad, N. Magnolia, W. Spring; N. Howard
  • 1-11O'Neill Hotel (In Palestine city)
  • 1-12Palestine city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by W. Lacy; N. Howard, W. Spring, N. Magnolia, International and Great Northern Railroad; City limits; State Hwy. 79
  • 1-13Palestine city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by W. Sterne, N. Dexter, W. Lacy; U.S. Hwy. 79; City limits
  • 1-14Palestine city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by International and Great Northern Railroad; City limits; E. Park Ave., E. Trinity; S. Sycamore
  • 1-15Palestine city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by International and Great Northern Railroad; S. Sycamore, E. Trinity, S. Michaux Ave.; E. Angelina, W. Angelina; International and Great Northern Railroad
  • 1-16Palestine city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by E. Trinity, E. Park Ave; City limits; City limits, E. Angelina; S. Michaux Ave.
  • 1-17Palestine city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by W. Angelina, E. Angelina; City limits; City limits, International and Great Northern Railroad; International and Great Northern Railroad
  • 1-18Palestine city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by International and Great Northern Railroad; International and Great Northern Railroad, W. Reagan, Magnolia Rd., City Limits; City limits; International and Great Northern Railroad
  • 1-19Palestine city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by W. Reagan; International and Great Northern Railroad, City limits; City limits; City limits, Magnolia Rd.
  • 1-20Justice Precinct 1 - That part north of U.S. Hwy. 84, and East of Palestine - Brushy Creek Rd., outside Palestine city
  • 1-21Justice Precinct 1 - That part west of Palestine - Brushy Creek Rd. and northeast of State Hwy 19, outside Palestine city
  • 1-22Justice Precinct 1 - That part west of State Hwy. 19, and north of U.S. Hwy. 287
  • 1-23Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of U.S. Hwy. 287, southwest of State Hwy. 19, and northwest of U.S. Hwy. 84, outside Palestine city
  • 1-24Justice Precinct 1 - That part west of International and Great Northern Railroad, and southeast of U.S. Hwy. 84, Outside Palestine city
  • 1-25Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of U.S. Hwy. 84, and east of International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Palestine city
  • 1-26Justice Precinct 2: Elkhart town
  • 1-27Justice Precinct 2 - That part north of State Hwy. 294 and east of U.S. Hwy. 287, outside Elkhart town
  • 1-28Justice Precinct 2 - That part west of U.S. Hwy. 287 and north and east of International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Elkhart town
  • 1-29Justice Precinct 2 - That part wast of International and Great Northern Railroad, north of Manson's Creek and southeast of International and Great Northern Railroad, including all islands in this enumeration district
  • 1-30Justice Precinct 2 - That part northwest of International and Great Northern Railroad
  • 1-31Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of International and Great Northern Railroad and U.S. Hwy. 287, north and west of Box Creek and southeast of Manson's Creek, outside Elkhart town
  • 1-32Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of U.S. Hwys. 287 and 294 and east of and south of Box Creek
  • 1-33Justice Precinct 3: Justice Precinct 3 - That part north of Squirrel Creek
  • 1-34Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of Squirrel Creek and north of State Hwy. 294
  • 1-35Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of State Hwy. 294
  • 1-36Justice Precinct 4: Frankston town: Frankston town - That part north of U.S. Hwy. 175
  • 1-37Frankston town - That part south of U.S. Hwy. 175
  • 1-38Justice Precinct 4 - That part north of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, outside Frankston town
  • 1-39Justice Precinct 4 - That part southwest of Texas and New Orleans Railroad and northwest of Palestine - Brushy Creek - Frankston Rd., outside Frankston town
  • 1-40Justice Precinct 4 - That part south of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, northeast of Brushy Creek and east Brush Creek and east of Brushy Creek - Frankston Rd.
  • 1-41Justice Precinct 4 - That part southwest of Brushy Creek, north of Walnut Creek and east of Brushy Creek - Frankston Rd.
  • 1-42Justice Precinct 4 - That part Southeast of Walnut Creek, and east of Palestine - Brushy Creek Rd.
  • 1-43Justice Precinct 5: Justice Precinct 5 - That part east of State Hwy. 19
  • 1-44Justice Precinct 5 - That part west of State Hwy. 19, northwest of Beaver Otter Creek, northeast of U.S. Hwy. 287 and south and east of Catfish Creek
  • 1-45Justice Precinct 5 - That part north and west of Catfish Creek and north of U.S. 287
  • 1-46Justice Precinct 5 - That part south of U.S. Hwy. 287, and west of Catfish Creek
  • 1-47Justice Precinct 5 - That part south of U.S. Hwy. 287, and east of Catfish Creek
  • 1-48Justice Precinct 5 - That part west of State Hwy. 19, north of U.S. Hwy. 287 and southeast of Beaver Otter Creek
  • 1-49Justice Precinct 6: Justice Precinct 6 - That part north of Walnut Creek
  • 1-50Justice Precinct 6 - part south of Walnut Creek, and northwest of International and Great Northern Railroad
  • 1-51Justice Precinct 6 - part southeast of International and Great Northern Railroad

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

2,209 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 2,209 of them, burning about 31,490 acres. 154 started naturally and 96 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning1145
Missing data/not specified/undetermined443
Equipment and vehicle use199
Natural154
Arson/incendiarism96
Power generation/transmission/distribution77
Smoking30
Recreation and ceremony26
Railroad operations and maintenance19
Fireworks11
Misuse of fire by a minor9

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
4 September 2011Power generation/transmission/distribution3,700 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceNEW CHAPEL FIRE
5 September 2011Power generation/transmission/distribution1,400 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHENDERSON - 507
26 December 2005Debris and open burning607 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHENDERSON - 491
5 September 2000Missing data/not specified/undetermined600 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHENDERSON - 477
13 August 2000Debris and open burning600 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHENDERSON - 322
5 September 2011Power generation/transmission/distribution503 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHENDERSON - 504
15 August 2011Power generation/transmission/distribution464 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceTODD CITY FIRE
10 March 2011Debris and open burning352 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceRED TOWN RANCH FIRE

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1953 to 2026

60 of 567 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 567 reports for this county, causing 11 deaths, 91 injuries and about $38,131,300 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind240
Hail224
Flash Flood46
Tornado35
Flood13
Lightning8
Heavy Rain1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
April 2016Flash FloodPalestine5 killed, $800,000Significant and deadly flash flooding happened on Timber Drive in Palestine after 7.5 of water fell in one hour. A family of 5 died in this location while drying to escape the flood waters. Six of 10 homes on the cul-de-sac were completely destroyed by flood waters. Some residents had to be rescued from the roofs of their homes and the water was reported to be 12 feet deep inside some homes.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindFrankston2 killed, $500,000Tree and roof damage was reported throughout the Frankston area. The roof of a restaurant was also damaged including loss of shingles, partial decking removal and collapse of portions of the awning. One tree fell onto a manufactured house, killing two adults in the home. A post event assessment determined 70-90 mph winds caused the damage.
November 1987Tornado (F3)not stated1 killed, 59 hurt, $25,000,000no account filed
March 1987Tornado (F1)not stated1 killed, 3 hurt, $25,000no account filed
April 2016Flash FloodPalestine1 killed, $1,000,000Nearly 7.5 of rain fell over Palestine in about one hour causing flooding across the city. Cars were flooded in downtown Palestine. Newspapers also reported that businesses and homes in low-lying areas across the city were flooded and damaged. A total of 35 homes sustained major damage and 3 businesses in Old Town Palestine were damaged. the railroad track at Sycamore and Gillespie streets were washed out. Flooding was also reported at Loop 256 and Highway 84 on the east side of Palestine. To the southwest of Palestine, part of Shamrock Drive was washed out.
April 2016Flash FloodDeanwright1 killedA 30 year old male died in flood waters on Anderson County Road 370.
April 1955Tornado (F3)not stated7 hurt, $250,000no account filed
May 1999Tornado (F1)Tennessee Colony4 hurt, $300,000Four houses were destroyed and three houses were damaged by a tornado. The tornado also damaged the prison barracks and caused 4 minor injuries.
January 1997Tornado (F1)Elkhart4 hurt, $50,000no account filed
October 1974Tornado (F3)not stated4 hurtno account filed
February 1984Tornado (F2)not stated3 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
November 1983Thunderstorm Windnot stated2 hurtno account filed
April 1988Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurt, $250,000no account filed
May 2025Tornado (EF0)Frankston1 hurt, $50,000An EF-0 tornado started west of the town of Frankston, close to Hwy 175 and Anderson CR 303. Initially the tornado damaged trees at a few homes along Hwy 175. As the tornado moved into town, it continued to cause tree damage, breaking large limbs from trunks and uprooting trees. Some of the limbs and trees fell on homes causing damage to roofs. One tree fell through the end of a home causing a non-life threatening injury. In the town of Frankston, the tornado was rated EF-0 with maximum winds of 85 mph. Many of the uprooted trees occurred in already saturated soils, and this was factored into the final wind speed determination. The tornado continued east of town and was tracked by scattered tree damage along CRs 3051 and 309. The tornado likely dissipated before reaching Lake Palestine.
April 1999Tornado (F0)Tennessee Colony1 hurt, $30,000A tornado touched down three times on County Road 2202. Trees were blown down and a barn was destroyed. An eighteen wheeler was turned over and the driver was injured.
October 1980Tornado (F2)not stated1 hurt, $25,000no account filed
August 1997Heavy RainPalestine1 hurt, $4,000Heavy rain, in excess of 7 inches, that fell in the area saturated soils and weakened the root system of many trees. One tree collapsed onto a car and injured one of its occupants.
June 2010Flash FloodElkhart$1,000,000Numerous roads across the county had significant flash flooding. There were several flooded homes and a house rescue conducted in Palestine. Parts of Highway 315 was washed away and a vehicle was stranded near the town of Elmwood. At least 4 feet of water was over County Road 404 12 miles NNW of Palestine. Several roads in the city of Palestine were closed for several days due to damage suffered by the flood waters.
November 1994Tornado (F1)Cayuga$500,000An elementary school was unroofed and a bus barn was destroyed by a tornado. Three homes were also damaged or destroyed. Damage was estimated at $255,000.
May 1993Tornado (F1)Frankston$500,000A tornado damaged 20 houses and blew down 10 power line poles. Two cars were destroyed by falling trees.
November 1996Thunderstorm WindPalestine$500,000no account filed
October 2010Thunderstorm WindPalestine$400,000Significant tree damage occurred in Palestine with several large trees falling on roofs. Some trees also fell on cars causing significant damage. The newspaper also reported that several metal portable buildings were blown onto the east loop, and the roof was blown off The Silver Lady on West Oak Street in downtown Palestine. The store sustained significant damage to the interior. Thousands of residents lost power during and after the storm.
May 2012LightningNeches$250,000Lightning started a house fire in the 1400 block of FM 19 in Neches. The brick home, valued at $150,000, was a total loss.
December 1987Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
May 1981Tornado (F3)not stated$250,000no account filed
June 1973Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
March 2025HailNeches$200,000A public report included pictures of a 3-inch diameter hailstone 10 miles northeast of Palestine. Two other hailstones in the photo appeared to be golf ball sized.
January 2008LightningPalestine Arpt$200,000Lightning struck a house on CR 420, causing heavy damage. Apparently the lightning struck a television antenna on the left side of the house and followed copper wiring inside the house. The house had recently been sold and was listed at $289,000. Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries.
July 2007Flash FloodPalestine$200,000Several roads and highways were closed, including CR 448 in the Montalba area and CR 425 off of FM 322. A few bridges were washed out across the county. A 20' x 40' swath of CR 4034 was washed away, stranding several households. A water line servicing about twenty homes was also swept away.
December 2006Tornado (F1)Palestine$200,000Structural damage to homes was reported near the intersection of FM 1990 and Highway 294. Roofs were partially removed, trees were blown onto houses, and trees and power lines blown down. One house on CR 2137 just off FM 1990 had the ceiling cave in. In addition, the front porch was completely removed from the house and found in pieces over a hundred yards away. A horse trailer in the backyard was thrown about fifty yards from its original location and landed on its side.
May 2012LightningPalestine$175,000Lightning was believed to have started a house fire in the Quail Valley mobile home park north of Palestine. The single wide mobile home was a complete loss.
October 2013Flash FloodMassey Lake$150,000Numerous roads were closed due to flash flooding that resulted from heavy thunderstorms that produced 4-8 of rain across the county in less than 8 hours. Portions of Highway 79 in Palestine were closed. Part of Highway 79 between Palestine and Tucker were also closed. Numerous other roads in Palestine were impassable including Reagan, Azell, Bassett, North Sycamore Rd near Ezell and Green Street. CR 2201 at Salt Works Rd, and CR 2715 and 2301 were also closed. One home on CR 2301 was flooded with 6 of water when Lake Creek overflowed its banks. FM 312 in Frankston was washed out. FM 321 at HWY 287 in Tennessee Colony was impassable. FM 321 between Tennessee Colony and Neches was closed in some places. FM 320 was closed near Harmony. A woman was trapped in her vehicle on FM 645 in Tucker due to high water, and FM 645 north of Tucker was also partially closed. Also, parts of FM 315, US 79 from Westwood to FM 645, FM 645 to FM 320, CR 2054, FM 321 to CR 2706, CRs 2223, 2401, 2504, 2303, & 2311 were closed or damaged. In many locations, it took the water several days to recede or the roads were closed for at least a week due to damage to the roads and/or culverts.
January 2012Thunderstorm WindBethel$110,000A mobile home was completely destroyed by a downburst near Highway 287 and FM 2706 in the Bethel area. The single-wide home was sitting on a pier and beam concrete foundation, but the entire home was torn apart by winds estimated around 100 mph. On the same property, a vehicle was turned over and two tractor trailers were blown over.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindSlocum$100,000Emergency management reported numerous trees an power lines down along Highway 294 from Elkhart to Slocum. Some trees fell onto homes and vehicles.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindCayuga$80,000The Cooke County Emergency Manager and a Cooke County Commissioner reported several large trees were blown down. The tree damage was concentrated in the southern third of the county, along or near County Roads 337, 328 and 348. One mobile home in the same area suffered severe damage.
March 1995Thunderstorm WindNeches$75,000High winds blew down a tree onto a mobile home destroying it. Two other homes and five barns were also damaged by high winds.
July 2012LightningSlocum$60,000The Anderson County Sheriff reported two oilfield storage tanks were struck by lightning, causing both tanks to catch fire. The tanks were along Anderson County roads 187 and 1224, near State Highway 294.
October 2008Tornado (EF0)Tennessee Colony$55,000A tornado touched down just west of Tennessee Colony and moved towards Montalba. A metal roof was removed from a mobile home on FM 2709 and a barn was heavily damaged. Numerous trees were twisted and broken with their leaves stripped off. On Highway 287, a mobile home was damaged and a huge tree was felled, damaging a carport and two vehicles. Shingles were also missing from roofs in this area. A barn east of Highway 287 was blown down. In Montalba, trees and power lines were downed.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindPalestine Arpt$50,000Structure damage to chicken houses occurred at Sanderson Farms southwest of Palestine. Most of the damage was to the roofing material but some wood beam damage was also observed.
April 2022Thunderstorm WindBethel$50,000Strong thunderstorm winds ranging from 50-70 mph moved across the northern portions of Anderson County. According to the summary report from local EMs:|A home on St Hwy 19N between Bradford and Bois D'Arc sustained wind damage to the back patio (metal roof torn up), tin off the barn, and huge tree branch in driveway that pulled down power meter/line at this location.||A home in the 4200 block of FM 860 had a large tree uprooted in the front yard that did damage to the front of the porch area of the home.||A home on FM 2706 had metal from the barn blown across the yard and onto neighbor property. Large tree was knocked down in the driveway. ||Several trees down across ACR 462, 463, 2601, 489, 458, 2101, 441. FM roads affected with trees down were FM 860, 837, 2330, 19.||Frankston had trees/powerlines down at ACR 309, 307, Lakeview MH park, 296 Kickapoo and FM 19 and ACR 322.||Trees and power lines were down on Hwy 19N in the Bradford/Montalba area as well.
October 2015Flash FloodCayuga$50,000Flood waters were reported over a bridge on Highway 287 near Cayuga. High water was also reported on FM 59 north of Cayuga.
January 1999LightningCayuga$50,000A church was destroyed by fire after a lightning strike.
March 1995Thunderstorm WindElkhart$50,000High winds damaged five homes and blew down several trees.
May 1994Thunderstorm WindPalestine$50,000A packing plant was unroofed by high winds.
October 1994Thunderstorm Windnot stated$50,000Many county roads were closed due to fallen trees.
November 1994Thunderstorm WindCayuga$50,000A house was unroofed by high winds.
May 2007Flash FloodFrankston$40,000Heavy rain caused a bridge on CR 326 and a culvert on CR 354 to wash out.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindPalestine$40,000Trees were blown down in roads in and around Palestine. In Neches, a 68-foot porch was entirely ripped off of a house and was strewn 100 feet away. Shingles were also torn off the roof. Also in Neches, more than 15 large trees and numerous power lines were uprooted near FM 2574, a trampoline was thrown across a highway into a tree, and numerous chicken coops were destroyed. A truck later ran into one of the trees laying across FM 2574.
October 2008Thunderstorm WindTennessee Colony$35,000A tower was damaged at a prison and an eighteen wheeler tractor-trailer was blown over. On FM 321, four houses had shingles missing, two sheds were damaged, and numerous trees had been blown down and some had their tops sheared off. Power lines were downed by trees and large limbs.
June 2025Flash FloodPalestine$30,000The emergency manager reported about 3 to 4 inches of rain. In Palestine, water had been running over the road near 325 Spring Street, and cars were stalled in water near 936 W Oak.
June 2025Flash FloodBethel$30,000EM reported road washed out due to flooding at CR 2608 near Tennessee Colony.
January 2010Thunderstorm WindBradford$30,000A large tree fell on top of a residence and three tractors and three pickups parked outside also were damaged. Another residence suffered damage to its tin roof and lost siding off the side of the house.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindElkhart$30,000Numerous trees were knocked down in the Elkhart, Slocum, and Denson Springs areas. An elderly resident had to be helped out of her mobile home on CR 1231 in the Elkhart area after a tree fell on it. Some of the trees that were uprooted were several feet in diameter.
May 2007Flash FloodPalestine$30,000CR 425 was underwater and had to be barricaded. In addition, a large section of CR 2232 washed away, leaving residents stranded without another road to use. The flooding broke a large pipe under the road and left a hole about eight feet wide and twelve feet across. The school bus could not pick up children, the mail could not be delivered, and the trash could not be picked up.
December 2006Tornado (F1)Palestine$30,000A tornado formed near the intersection of CR 403 and CR 404 and moved north to near Elmwood, causing damage to homes, trees, sheds, and power lines. Trees were split, twisted, and uprooted. The county judge surveyed the damage and found the worst to be between FM 315 and CR 404.
May 2005Thunderstorm WindFrankston$30,000A large tree fell on a carport and damaged a car. Also, at least 5 power lines were knocked down.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindElkhart$25,000Emergency management reported 3 homes with minor damage and multiple trees down in Elkhart.
June 2012LightningPalestine$25,000Lightning started a house fire on Sylvan Avenue in Palestine.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindSalmon$25,000A home on HWY 287 south of Elkhart and about 10 miles north of Grapeland had its front porch ripped off and half of its roof torn off. The roof was laying about a 100 yards from the house. Water damage occurred inside the house as a result.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindTennessee Colony$25,000Roofs were ripped off two houses in Tennessee Colony.

Mines and quarries

16 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 16 workings inside this county. 5 still produce and 11 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Halite3
Salt2
Clay2
Phosphorus-Phosphates2
Limestone, Ultra Pure1
Halite, Limestone, General, Gypsum-Anhydrite1
Halite, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Limestone, General1
Gypsum-Anhydrite, Halite1
Talc-Soapstone, Ball Clay1
Sand and Gravel, Construction1
Stone, Crushed/Broken1
Aluminum, Contained or Metal1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
(Facility) Aluminum Co of America SmelterAluminum, Contained or MetalPlant
Bethel Salt DomeHalite, Limestone, General, Gypsum-AnhydriteOccurrence1927
Brushy Creek Salt DomeHalite, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Limestone, GeneralOccurrenceAnhydrite, Calcite, Celestite, Halite
Jomack Pit & PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Keechi Salt DomeGypsum-Anhydrite, HaliteOccurrenceAnhydrite, Halite
Palestine LimestoneStone, Crushed/BrokenUnknown
Palestine MineHalite, Limestone, Ultra PurePast Producer1891, 1904, 1937
Southern Clay Products PlantTalc-Soapstone, Ball ClayProducer
KeechiSaltUnknown
Palestine PitClayPast Producer
Palestine SaltSaltUnknown
Pasadena Fertitex Phos. Acid Pl.Phosphorus-PhosphatesPast Producer
Pasadena Mobil Phos. Acid PlantPhosphorus-PhosphatesProducer1966
Texas Clay Industries Inc OperationClayProducer
Concord Salt DomeHaliteOccurrence1942
Elkhart Salt DomeHaliteOccurrence1937

Every populated place in the county

41

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on. The 3 places that were also surveyed for fire insurance come first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

Recorded here

Palestine, Texas

13 topographic sheets and 9 fire insurance atlases, 1885 to 1949

Frankston, Texas

15 topographic sheets and 3 fire insurance atlases, 1925 to 1939

Elkhart, Texas

10 topographic sheets and 2 fire insurance atlases, 1937

Everything this county holds

The complete index, with nothing left out. Each of these is a separate record with its own page: a federal survey report, or the case file that argued a property on to the National Register. Both are public domain and reproduced word for word.

Surveyed structures

5 structures

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.