Farmersville is a city in

Collin County, Texas Collin County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth- Arlington metropolitan statistical area, and a small portion of the city of Dallas is in the county. At the 2020 United States census, the county's popula ...

, United States. The population was 3,612 at the 2020 census.

History

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. 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 Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's ...

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 Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul comp ...

was organized on May 14, 1865. 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, 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. As the town became a trade center, agriculture kept pace. Farmersville in the 1930s was known as the "

Onion An onion (''Allium cepa'' L., from Latin ''cepa'' meaning "onion"), also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus '' Allium''. The shallot is a botanical variety of the on ...

Capital of North Texas", annually shipping over 1,000 carloads of onions. Along with some small industry, cattle, cotton, and maize crops remain important. On May 8, 2021, in honor of

Audie Murphy Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was an American soldier, actor and songwriter. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. He received every military combat award for valor available from t ...

, the most decorated soldier of

WWII World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, a "Sister City Pact" with Holtzwihr, France was signed. This ceremony was to announce the common bond between the two cities and recognize Murphy's heroism at the Battle of Holtzwihr on January 26, 1945.

Geography

U.S. Route 380 crosses the south side of the city, leading west to McKinney and east to Greenville.

Texas State Highway 78 State Highway 78 (SH 78) is a state highway that follows surface roads in a predominantly southwest-to-northeast direction in the Dallas area before traveling north-northeast to the Oklahoma State border. Route description The highway's souther ...

passes through the west side of Farmersville, leading north to Blue Ridge and southwest to

Garland A garland is a decorative braid, knot or wreath of flowers, leaves, or other material. Garlands can be worn on the head or around the neck, hung on an inanimate object, or laid in a place of cultural or religious importance. Etymology From the ...

. The north end of Lavon Lake is to the west. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...

, Farmersville has a total area of , of which is land and , or 4.18%, is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the

Köppen Climate Classification The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, nota ...

system, Farmersville has a

humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate is a zone of climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between latitudes 25° and 40° ...

, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

As of the

2020 United States census The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to off ...

, there were 3,612 people, 1,396 households, and 799 families residing in the city.

Education

The city is served by the Farmersville Independent School District. Collin College operates a branch campus in Farmersville.

Media

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.

Notable people

* Stevie Benton, bassist for American heavy metal band Drowning Pool, resided in Farmersville and attended Farmersville High School *

Herb Ellis Mitchell Herbert Ellis (August 4, 1921 – March 28, 2010), known professionally as Herb Ellis, was an American jazz guitarist. During the 1950s, he was in a trio with pianist Oscar Peterson. Biography Born in Farmersville, Texas, and raised ...

(1921–2010), jazz guitarist, born in Farmersville * Monty "Hawkeye" Henson, three-time world champion rodeo cowboy, born in Farmersville * John Monroe (baseball), was an infielder in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies *

Loren Murchison Loren C. Murchison (December 17, 1898 – June 11, 1979) was an American athlete, double gold medal winner in 4×100 m relay at the Olympic Games. Biography Born in Farmersville, Texas, Loren Murchison was an AAU Champion in in 1920 and 1923 ...

, winner of two Olympic gold medals *

, United States' most decorated combat soldier of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, 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 Sharon Marie Tate Polanski (January 24, 1943 – August 9, 1969) was an American actress and model. During the 1960s, she played small television roles before appearing in films and was regularly featured in fashion magazines as a model and cover ...

and her unborn child, grew up in Copeville but attended Farmersville Independent School District *

Bart Barber Bart Barber is an American Southern Baptist pastor and conservative speaker. He is in his second term as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (2022-2023 and 2023-2024). Education Barber earned an undergraduate degree from Baylor Univ ...

, pastor of First Baptist Church of Farmersville, elected 64th President of the

Southern Baptist Convention The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination, and the largest Protestant and second-largest Christian denomination in the United States. The wor ...

References

External links

City of Farmersville official website

Texas State Historical Association

{{authority control Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex Cities in Texas Cities in Collin County, Texas Populated places established in 1849 1849 establishments in Texas