Upshur

Upshur County

Updated on: November 19, 2021
Coordinates
32 43' 48"N, 94 56' 24" W (32.73, -94.94)
State
Texas
Region
Northeast
County Seat:
Gilmer
Year Organized:
1846
Total Square Miles:
592.599
583 square miles (1,510 km2) land
9.7 square miles (25 km2) water
Population:
41281 (2017)
Population: 40,969 est. (2016) 39,309 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
70
Upshur County Website
http://www.countyofupshur.com/

Contiguous Counties

Camp (N)
Morris (NE)
Marion (E)
Harrison (SE)
Gregg (S)
Smith (SW)
Wood (W)

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Dillon's Rule
Legislative Body:
Commisioners Court
Size of Legislative Body:
5

Demographics

2018 Population:
41281
25 to 64 Years of Age:
50.30%
65 Years of Age and Older:
18.36%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$845.2 M
Labor Force:
17,841
Unemployment Rate:
4.20%

County Contact

PO BOX 730
County Courthouse
Gilmer, TX, 75644-0730

http://www.countyofupshur.com

One of the most appealing places to live in Texas is Upshur County. This county is famous for its beautiful scenery, and it has a rich history that dates back over 200 years. It was named for William Upshaw, who came from North Carolina with his wife Mary Ann in 1825.  
 
They settled on the banks of the Neches River, where they built their home called “The Old Stone House.” The house was constructed out of stone quarried nearby by William’s brother-in-law John Hays. 
 
The county seat is Gilmer, famous for being one of the oldest towns in Texas. In fact, there are many old buildings still standing today, including the courthouse, which was completed in 1841. There are also many old homes dating back to the 1800s and churches such as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 
  

Attractions in Upshur County, Texas 

 

One thing that makes Upshur county unique is all the attractions you can visit while living here. You will find plenty of things to do like fishing at Lake Fork or hiking along the trails around the lake. If you enjoy hunting, then this area offers some great opportunities.  
 
Hunting season runs from November 1st through April 30th each year. Another popular activity is camping because so much land is available. Camping sites range from primitive campsites to RV parks. Many people choose to camp near lakes and streams.  
 
Some of these include: 
 

Lake Fork State Park – located just outside of town off Highway 87 has an abundance of wildlife and scenic beauty. 

 

Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area – a large tract of open space located between Gilmer and Longview, offers excellent bird watching and deer viewing. 

 

Longview National Fish Hatchery – one of the largest hatcheries in the country provides fish food for local residents and visitors alike. 

 

Gilmer Historical Museum – located downtown, Gilmerc contains exhibits about life during the early days of Upshur County. 

 

Museum of East Texas History – located in Longview features to display the region’s past. 

 

Texas Heritage Center – located in Kilgore displays items related to the state’s heritage.  

 

Lake Gladewater – this attraction consists of two dams and three reservoirs and visitors can take boat rides across the waterway. 

  

Cities in Upshur County, Texas 

 

There are five main cities in this county: 

Gilmer it is the county seat and contains the historical museum mentioned above( Gilmer Historical Museum.) The town is among the oldest settlements in Texas. 

 

Big Sandy – it is a small community located north of Gilmer. It features a few restaurants, shops and you can also go horseback riding and swimming at the beach. 

 

Ore City – this city is known for having the world’s longest covered bridge. This structure spans the Little Elm Bayou and is a tourist destination. 

 

East Mountain City – has a population of over 2,000 people. It is best known for its annual rodeo held every July 4th weekend. 

 

Union Grove – this city is home to Union College. It is named after the college president who founded the school. 

  

The cities above have plenty of opportunities for business, nature, and culture. They offer something for everyone! 

  

Economic Activities in Upshur County, Texas 

 

There are three main economic activities in Upshur County. Agriculture, mining, and tourism 

Many farmers in Upshur County practice agriculture. There are more than 100 farms within the county.  

 

Most of them produce corn, wheat, cotton, soybeans, hay, cattle, and sheep. Farming is very important to the economy of Upshur County. Farmers sell their products to grocery stores, feed mills, oil companies, etc. Modern farming practices help increase crop yields. 

  

Mining is another key industry. In fact, four mines are operating in the county. Two of them are coal mines. Coal is used as fuel for electricity generation. The other two mines extract limestone, which is used to make cement. Cement production helps support the construction sector of the economy. 

 

Tourism plays a major role in the Upshur county economy. People come to see the beautiful scenery and natural resources found in the county. Tourists spend money visiting hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, resorts, spas, golf courses, wineries, art galleries, antique malls, shopping centers, etc. 

  

Financial Transparency 

Finances are key to the development of Upshur county, and transparency is essential. Transparency means that all financial information should be available to anyone who wants to know. 

 

Financial data includes but is not limited to: budgets, expenditures, revenues, assets, liabilities, equity, profit/loss statements, balance sheets, income statements, cash flow analysis, debt rating, credit ratings, shareholder reports, etc.  

 

All these numbers allow investors, businesses, or individuals to understand how well an organization is doing financially. For example, if you want to invest your savings into a company, you need to analyze whether the return on investment will exceed the risk taken.  

 

If so, then you may decide to put your hard-earned money into that particular project. On the contrary, if the risks outweigh the returns, you may choose to keep your money under the mattress. Transparent finances lead to better decision-making during times of uncertainty. 

  

Upshur County Offices 

 

Todd Tefteller supervises the County Judge’s office. He ensures that the county operates efficiently and effectively while maintaining a high level of service to citizens. Contact the office at 903-843-4003. 

 

County Auditor’s office is under Connie Williams. He handles audit records for county departments. Contact them at 903-843-4001. 

 

County Clerk’s office is under Terri Ross. It handles various records in the county. Contact them at 903-843-4015. 

 

The community Supervision office is under Trace Hudgins. Contact the office at 903-843-3006. 

 

Juvenile Probation is under William McGee. he can be contacted at 903-843-4007. 

 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Upshur county is one of the best counties to live and raise a family. It has beautiful scenery, great schools, good health care facilities, low crime rates, and many other things that make it an excellent place for families to call home. Plus, it has some of the most friendly people you will ever meet! If you are looking for a new home or just want to visit this area, I highly recommend visiting Upshur.