A native of Missouri, Ambrose Fitzgerald settled near here in 1846 on land that was then part of Nacogdoches County. Since this area was included in the creation of later counties, he was able to serve as the first clerk for Van Zandt and Wood . . . — — Map (db m139157) HM
Texas pioneer Emory Rains served as an alcalde under Mexican rule and as a counselor in the East Texas Regulator-Moderator War of the 1840s. As a senator in the Republic of Texas Congress, he helped pass the Homestead Act. Rains also served in the . . . — — Map (db m201997) HM
Only newspaper in county. Founded 1887 by H. W. Martin as "The Argus." By 1900 was renamed "Leader." Sold 1904 to Tom W. Hill, Sr., editor until 1937. Earl Hill, Sr., was editor 1937-1960; Earl Hill, Jr., 1960-1962; since 1962 publishers have been . . . — — Map (db m138679) HM
One of the earlier areas of Texas to be settled. J. H. Hooker, first known settler, built a grist mill on the Sabine River here in the 1840s.
Emigrants from the Old South came in after 1840, although the county was not created until 1870. The . . . — — Map (db m139152) HM
The community of Emory was once called Springville, part of Wood County. In 1870, the Texas Legislature created Rains County from portions of four other counties. Named for early Texas patriot Emory Rains, the county chose Springville as its center . . . — — Map (db m139154) HM
Built n 1910-1912, this residence features unusual cast-concrete block construction. James Alexander Amis (1872-1939) poured and cured the blocks for his family's home. A versatile businessman, Amis operated a sawmill, lumberyard, truck farm, cattle . . . — — Map (db m139159) HM
Here in 1905 Walter B. Fraser (1877-1968) built a pioneer Texas factory which produced bricks and hollow clay building tile. This was the first industrial plant in Rains County and it employed about 40 men.
When, in 1909, a post office was . . . — — Map (db m139150) HM