Clarksville

Clarksville is the county seat of Red River County.

Founded in 1833, we are a visitor friendly city rich in the history of Texas where the Old South merges with the Wild West. Many of the downtown streets around the City Square are still brick paved. Old Southern homes scattered around town sit in the shade of giant Oak, Bois d’arc and Pecan trees.

Clarksville and Red River County are older than the State of Texas. Red
River County once encompassed all or part of 39 different counties in present Northeast Texas

James Clark founded Clarksville in 1833. Red River County was established in 1837 and in 1838, Clarksville became the county seat.

Sam Houston, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie all entered Texas through Red River County, thus our claim as the “Gateway To Texas”.

Our recently restored historic Red River County Courthouse was built in 1884-85, with records dating back to the days of the Republic of Texas.

The First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville, formed in 1833, is the oldest Protestant congregation in Texas.

Clarksville is a Texas Main Street City, a Nationally Accredited Main Street City and a Preserve America Community.

Visit the Texas Historic Cemetery, where William Becknell, "The Father of the Santa Fe Trail" is buried.  Tour the home of Charles DeMorse, known as “The Father of Texas Journalism”, Miss Belle’s House, the Old Jail Museum, the Lennox House, the First Presbyterian Church and the Clarksville Cemetery with the first burial dating back to 1838.

Come visit us soon. You’ll like our hospitality … we guarantee it!

Clarksville is a great place to visit, start a business, or hold an event. See www.gatewaytotexas.com for more information about the city.