Groveton in Trinity County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Trinity County Seats

Photographed By Steve Gustafson, September 18, 2011

1. Trinity County Seats Marker

Inscription. Trinity County was formally organized by an act of the Texas legislature on February 11, 1850. Soon after, county residents chose between two sites for the establishment of a county seat, which was named Sumpter (5 mi. E). Government offices were located in the residence of Solomon Adams until a courthouse was built. Now a ghost town, Sumpter served as the Trinity County seat until 1872, when the courthouse was destroyed by fire.

The town of Trinity (20 mi. SW) was named the new county seat by legislative act. In 1874, however, local voters chose to relocate the seat of government at Pennington (12 mi. NW). A courthouse fire there in 1876, coupled with the theft of district court records in 1880, led county residents to consider a new site for the government offices.

As the result of an election on October 7, 1882, the sawmill and railroad town of Groveton became the fourth seat of Trinity County. Official records were moved here 13 days later. The courthouse square was donated by the Trinity & Sabine Timber Co.

The history of the Trinity County seats reflects a proud heritage based on early struggles and hopes of the area's pioneer settlers.

Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7971.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1850.

Location. 31° 3.341′ N, 95° 7.609′ W. Marker is in Groveton, Texas, in Trinity County. Marker is at the intersection of First Street (U.S. 287) and South Main Street, on the left when traveling east on First Street. Located in the courthouse square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 162 West First Street, Groveton TX 75845, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Groveton (here, next to this marker); Trinity County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Steele's Academy (approx. 11 miles away); Site of the Town of Sebastopol (approx. 12½ miles away); Albert Holley House (approx. 12½ miles away).

Also see . . . Trinity County. The Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on March 12, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed By Steve Gustafson, September 18, 2011

2. Trinity County Seats Marker

Trinity County Courthouse is behind the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2012, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 523 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on August 1, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2012, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.