Freestone County

Freestone County Offices

Freestone County Town List

Freestone County dates back to 1846. It was named for the Freestone family, who were early settlers in this area of East Texas. The county seat is at Fairfield and houses most government offices. Plus, it is a business hub serving the entire county.  

The first European explorers came through here on their way west from Mexico. They found Native Americans had occupied the land since prehistoric times. 

In 1718, Spanish explorer Don Juan de Oñate led an expedition into what would become known as West Texas. He established settlements along the Rio Grande River near present-day San Antonio. 

Here are some things that define Freestone county.  

The Population of Freestone County 

According to the US Census Bureau, the population estimate for the 2019 census was 19,717 people. Out of this, 48% are female, while 52% are males. This makes the total number of males equal to 10,914 and females count to 9,803. 

Children under five years are 5.9%, while those under 18 years are 22.7%. Besides, elders over 65 years form 20.3% of the population. 

The population is likely to increase in the future because many new businesses are opening up all around the county. Also, more jobs will be created by these companies. Besides, plenty of friendly people live here.  

Attractions in Freestone County 

The top attraction sites in Freestone County include the following; 

1. Fairfield Lake State Park- This park has beautiful views of the lake and surrounding areas. There are also hiking trails, fishing spots, camping facilities, boat rentals, swimming pools, playgrounds, picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, etc. 
2. Fairfield Lake -This is one of the largest lakes in Texas, with a surface area of about 1,000 acres. You can enjoy boating, waterskiing, jet skis, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, or just relaxing on its shores. 
3. Fort Worth Stockyards–Located in downtown Fort Worth, this historic site offers visitors a chance to see how cattle used to be sold before they became popularly traded via stock markets. 
4. Freestone County Historical Museum features exhibits related to local history, including pioneer life, Civil War era, oil industry, agriculture, transportation, education, religion, and other topics. 
5. Canyon Creek Ranch Golf Course–This golf course is in Canyon Creek Village, home to several restaurants, shops, hotels, gas stations, banks, post offices, grocery stores, etc. 
6. Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area- This wildlife management area provides habitat for deer, turkey, quail, dove, squirrels, rabbits, slugs, snails, caterpillars, etc. 
7. Richland Creek- Richland creek runs through the center of town and is surrounded by parks, schools, churches, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods.  

Freestone County Public Notices and County News 

The county publishes notices regarding public meetings, events, road construction projects, and school closings on the website. The news section contains information about upcoming elections, crime reports, fire department activities, city council agendas, court dates, and much more. 

Other public notices are on the governor’s order, county directive, and court order. Additionally, the county calendar has upcoming activities such as festivals, concerts, fairs, parades, rodeos, and community gatherings. 

You can also submit a request in writing if you are looking for a specific notice or news item that isn’t listed above.  

Freestone County Burn Ban and Emergency 

Burn Ban is issued when conditions become too dry for wildfires to occur. It usually lasts from March until October. During this time, residents cannot burn any vegetation within the county limits. If you do not comply with the ban, your property could be subject to fines. 

The burn ban is in effect at Freestone County as of 10-4-21. The notifications are available on the county website.  

 The Emergency Management Unit will notify residents who have been ordered to evacuate their homes because of wildfire activity. You are advised to remain alert and responsive during these times so that you may take appropriate action should an emergency arise. 

Freestone County Elections Department 

The elections department is tasked to carry out voter registration and conduct elections. During voter registration, voters must provide proof of citizenship and identity documents.  

They must also sign an affidavit stating that they meet all requirements to vote. Voter identification cards are mailed after the election. Voters must return them along with a payment of $1.00 fee. 

The department conducts elections through a mail ballot system. Ballots are sent to registered voters via the U.S. Postal Service. Registered voters then fill out ballots and send them back to the elections department using USPS. After receiving returned ballots, they count votes and report results to the county clerk. 

Other duties are assigned to the election administrator who lives in the office in the courthouse. They oversee the operation of the polling place and ensure compliance with state law. 

Elections are held every even year. There are four types of elections: Primary Election, General Election, Runoff Election, Special Election. Each one requires different procedures. 

For example, the primary election only allows candidates running for certain offices to participate, while the general election includes all qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation.  

County Offices and Roles 

Freestone County has several offices and departments. Here are some offices and the roles. 

Judge Linda Grant supervises the county Judge. The judge’s office handles criminal cases, civil matters, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and family law issues. 

Others are probate administration, guardianship and conservatorships, child support enforcement, and domestic violence protection orders. You can call them at 903-389-3335. 

The County Attorney is Brian Evans. The Office of the Attorney General provides legal services to the county government. Call him at 903-389-3977. 

Sheriff Jeremy Shipley heads the sheriff’s Office. He maintains public safety and provides court security. He oversees jail operations, dispatches deputies to calls for service, investigates crimes, arrests suspects, and supervises inmates. His phone number is 903-898-3200. 

The County Clerk’s Office is under Linda Jarvis, who manages the day-to-day business affairs of the county. She keeps track of property tax payments, prepares deeds, mortgages, leases, and contracts. Contact the Office at 903-389-2635. 

The County Treasurer is Jeannie Keeney, who handles financial transactions such as issuing checks, paying bills, collecting taxes, and maintaining accounts receivable. Her contact information is 903-389-3236, or email her at [email protected].  

The tax Collector is David Smith, whose job is to collect delinquent real estate taxes from homeowners. 

Conclusion 

Finally, Freestone County is located in Central Texas, which means there are many things you can do here. Visit nearby cities like San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Dallas, Houston, etc.  

If you have questions about living in this area, feel free to ask! I hope this article helped to make things clearer.