Gatesville, TX
Music connected to Gatesville
About Gatesville
- • Western swing musician Bob Wills was born near Gatesville, influencing country music.
- • The state's first rural telephone exchange was established near Gatesville in 1882.
- • Its location near Fort Gates established it as a supply hub for the military.
- • Gatesville oddly has the nickname "The Buckle of the Cotton Belt."
- • The 1950s saw a population boom due to prison construction.
- • Named for Fort Gates, established in 1849, it was incorporated in 1854.
- • With roughly 16,000 residents, it is smaller than many Texas county seats.
- • At 761 feet, the elevation provides views of the surrounding rolling hills.
- • Corrections is a major employer, due to the presence of several prisons.
- • Visiting Gatesville feels like stepping back into a simpler, slower time.
- • The Dallas Cowboys, 140 miles away, won Super Bowl XXX in 1996.
- • Gatesville High School's football team has a long history of district titles.
- • The area's geology includes limestone formations dating back to the Cretaceous period.
- • The scenic Leon River flows near Gatesville, offering recreational opportunities.
- • The Balcones Fault Zone runs through Coryell County, influencing the local terrain.
- • White-tailed deer are commonly found in the wooded areas surrounding Gatesville.
- • Post oaks and Ashe juniper trees are common in the area's vegetation.
- • The area was historically inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa.
- • In 1854, Fort Gates, a military outpost, was established to protect settlers.
- • The Coryell County Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival structure, was built in 1897.
- • U.S. Highway 84 is a major route that passes through Gatesville.