Cooke County is at Courthouse 101 S Dixon St Gainesville, TX 76240. The county got its name after William Gordon Cooke, a soldier killed and buried on this site during the Civil War.

The county seat is Gainesville that houses most of the government offices. Read through for more details about Cooke County, Texas.

How Cooke County Came Into Place

Cooke is a county in Texas named after William Gordan Cooke, a soldier from Tennessee who died fighting against the Confederate Army.

He was born in 1833 and enlisted as a private in Company A of the 1st Regiment Infantry Volunteers, which fought under General Robert E Lee.

When the soldier was killed on site, the place was named after him to honor his service. Currently, Cooke is an organized county with impressive structures to support its residents.

The county has many parks, lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, and other natural resources. It also has some great places, like Lake Fork State Park, Big Creek Falls, and the Lost Pines Forest Reserve.

There are several museums around town, including the Museum of Natural Science, the National Center for Superconductivity & the Department of Energy Laboratory for High-Tc super.

Attractions in Cooke

Cooke is not a bland county as you’ll find many things to love here. First, the city preserved the old buildings to be used for different purposes, such as schools or community centers.

Second, there are lots of beautiful landscapes all over the area. Additionally, there are plenty of fun activities to do while visiting Cooke. You can swim, fish, hike, camp, ride horses, boating, play golf, watch movies, take pictures, enjoy nature, etc.

If you’re looking for something new to try out, then check out these attractions:

Frank Buck Zoo- This park offers visitors a chance to see wildlife, learn about history, and experience nature. It features African wildlife like giraffes, zebras, lions, cheaters, and antelopes. Also, there are reptiles, birds, mammals, insects, and amphibians. In addition, the zoo provides educational programs for children and adults alike.
Ray Roberts Lake Fork State Park – Located near the center of the county, this state park offers visitors a chance to explore the outdoors. It has terrific trails, camping areas, fishing spots, swimming pools, picnic tables, playgrounds, hiking paths, and much more.
Big Creek Falls – This waterfall is one of the biggest waterfalls in Texas. It’s located just off IH 35 between San Angelo and Abilene. Visitors will view the falls up close and personal.
Hubbert M Moss lake- This lake is home to various species of animals and plants. It’s located right next to the famous Lost Pines forest reserve.
Lost Pines Forest Reserve- This forest reserve has unique trees and plant life. It’s along FM 1604 south of Interstate 20.
4R Ranch Vineyard: This rank offers wine tasting tours where guests get to taste wines made at their vineyards. They offer winery visits, picnics, weddings, corporate events, and special occasions.

Cooke County Offices and Roles

Cooke has a county government that has offices all over the county. The offices offer services to citizens of Cooke County.

These include health care, public safety, education, economic development, transportation, environmental protection, law enforcement, judicial system, elections, human services, and social services.

The following list shows what roles each office plays within the county.

County Judge/Executive: The judge serves as the head of the county court. The current county judge is Honorable Steve Starnes. He oversees all legal matters regarding the county. You can reach the office at 940-668-5435 or [email protected].

Sheriff: The sheriff enforces laws throughout the county. Their primary duty is to protect lives and property from crime. Sheriff Ray Sappington currently holds this position. He is reachable at 940-665-3471, or in case of emergency, call 9-1-1.

District Attorney: The district attorney prosecutes crimes committed against people living in Cooke County. His name is Edmund J. Zielinski. The office is reachable at (940) 668-5459.

The county Auditor’s office is under Shelly Atteberry. The office’s role is to audit the financial records of the county. It is also responsible for collecting taxes on behalf of the county. Contact them at 885-8200.

Treasurer: The treasurer manages the finances of the county. Her name is Patty Brennan. She is reachable at 940-668-5423.

Another key office is the County Tax Assessor-Collector office. It is under Brandy Ann Carr. Her role includes assessing real estate properties and determining how much tax they should pay. If you have questions about your property, contact her at (940) 668-5500.

Cooke County Towns

Cooke County has several towns. The first one is Gainesville which is the county seat. It is at 715 West Main Street. The town is a shopping center business hub with many restaurants, shops, banks, gas stations, etc.

There are two schools here; Gainesville High School and Gainesville Elementary School. Both schools serve students who live in the area.

Other towns are Lyndsay, Myra, Rosston, and Waco. Each of these towns has its own identity. For example, Lyndsay is an old mining community, while Myra is a small farming village.

All four towns share some commonalities, such as churches, parks, and other places of interest.

If you are visiting Cooke county, you should see a few towns and explore more than just the principal city.

Is Cooke a Splendid County to Live In?

Cooke is an excellent county to live in because it offers residents plenty of opportunities to enjoy their time off work. Residents get to spend quality time with family members and friends.

They also get to take part in various activities. They include; fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, swimming, boating, golfing, horseback riding, biking, rollerblading, and so forth.

Additionally, the county has job opportunities that allow individuals to earn money without having to leave home. These jobs include retail stores, fast-food establishments, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, construction sites, service companies, government offices, and others.

Conclusion

If you want to move to Cooke County, Texas, I suggest you apply for a visa. You will find a place where you can settle down comfortably. Also, if you need any help to find good places there, ask us. Good luck!