Surrounding Communities
Kemp Texas
Kemp is a city in Kaufman County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,154 at the 2010 census.
The community was named for Sara Kemp, mother of Levi Noble, the first postmaster, and was officially established when the post office opened in 1851. The original townsite was located on present day County Road 4023 two miles south of present day Texas State Highway 274. It grew slowly during its first thirty years. A Presbyterian congregation was organized in 1854, and the Kemp Academy of Learning began operation in 1867. After the Civil War an increasing number of settlers moved to the community. In 1870 Dr. A. J. Still, hoping to profit from this growth and the possible construction of a railroad through the area, bought land just north of the community (where the current City sits) and, after surveying, dividing the tract into lots, platted it, and persuaded the directors of the Southern Pacific Railroad to lay tracks across his property by offering the company a number of lots. Another early settler, Sam Parmalee, followed suit and offered the rail company right-of-way through his property. The mid-1880s witnessed the completion of the rail line through the community, the construction of a depot there, and the designation of Kemp as a terminus on the line.
The railroad attracted settlers to Kemp. Prospering with the surrounding cattle ranches and cotton farms, the community developed as a trade center for the lower part of the county. By the early twentieth century the population had reached 513, and the Methodist and Baptist congregations had established churches. Kemp also supported a local newspaper, the Kemp News. The paper was owned and edited by Mike S. Boggess. In 1926 the town had a population of 1,200, sixty businesses, and two banks. By 1936 forty-six businesses operated in Kemp. The population declined from 1,000 to 816 between the end of World War IIqv and the mid-1960s. Businesses declined from forty-one to thirty-three. In 1965 Cedar Creek Reservoir was completed just south of the community. Kemp had a population of 1,184 and seventy-five businesses in 1990. Much of the land around town was still devoted to cattle production, and many residents commuted to jobs in the Dallas area. In 2000 the population was 1,133.
During the summer of 2011, the City received national attention due to its aging water utility system and complications resulting from the severe Texas drought of 2011.
Lonestar RV Parks is located 9.4 miles via TX-274N
Athens Texas
Athens is a city in Henderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,710. It is the county seat of Henderson County.The city also calls itself the “Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World.”
Athens was selected as one of the first ‘Certified Retirement Communities’ in Texas. It was named after Athens, Alabama by one of the early residents who came from there.
Lonestar RV Parks is located approximately 24.7 miles from Athens Texas via US-175E and TX-334W
Malakoff Texas
Malakoff is a city in Henderson County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,257 at the 2000 census. The community is named after a Russian fort of Malakoff (Malakhov kurgan), which played a pivotal role during the siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean war.
The City of Malakoff is served by the Malakoff Independent School District. The mascot is the Tiger.
The private Saint Paul Industrial Training School, orphanage and school, is located near Malakoff. It was begun in the 1920s by James William and Alice Olenza Wingfield Smothers. It continues to serve African-American youth, many having been previously homeless. It receives no federal funds.
Malakoff is approximately 19.1 miles from Lonestar RV Parks via TX-31 and TX-274N
Mabank Texas
Mabank is a town in Henderson and Kaufman counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 3,035 at the 2010 census.
Prior to the existence of Mabank in early 1900, the community of Lawndale was formed in the late 1880s. The community was noted for its agriculture in many areas, including cotton. But with the Texas Trunk Railroad missing the community by a mile, Ranchers Mason and Eubank decided to capitalize on the Texas Trunk and set aside one square mile of land and named it “Mabank”.
Mabank is a combination of the names Eubank and Mason and is located one mile (1.6 km) southwest of the former community of Lawndale. Being only a mile away from Lawndale and located on the railroad, its citizens, churches, and businesses naturally decided to move there. Thus attracting, over a brief period of about two years, much of what was Lawndale. This included the Lawndale Courier – the local newspaper that renamed itself the Mabank Courier.
Many of the descendants from the Masons and Eubanks are still alive to this day.
Populations went up highly in the 1960s and 70’s due to the building of Cedar Creek Reservoir.
Mabank is approximately 8.6 miles from Lonestar RV Parks vis TX-198 and TX-334W
Ennis Texas
Ennis is a city in Ellis County, Texas, United States, and a southeastern suburb of Dallas. The population was 18,513 at the 2010 census.
The annual National Polka Festival which features Czech cuisine, polka music, dancing, and a parade is held on Memorial Day weekend. The festival started in 1967 by a group of men who thought their Czech heritage should be honored. There is also a contest to find who the Duke and Dutchess of Ennis will be for the year. During the 3 day festival, the Ennis Polka Run takes place to help fund the Rotary Club and the Children’s Reading Club of Ennis.
Ennis has an annual Bluebonnet festival during the month of April. During this time, thousands of tourists come to see the bloom of these wildflowers. Ennis is also considered the “Bluebonnet Capital of North Texas”.
Ennis is the only incorporated city in the United States that still elects its City Marshal. The election is held every two years with the winner being named Chief of Police by the City Council and City Manager. Currently the post is held by Chief John Erisman.
Ennis is home to the Texas Motorplex, a quarter-mile drag racing facility built in 1986 by former funny car driver Billy Meyer. It annually hosts the NHRA O’Reilly Fall Nationals each September, when hundreds of professional and amateur drag racers compete for over $2 million in prize money. In March 21, 2009, the TV show Pinks: All Out hosted a contest at the Motorplex.
Ennis is located approximately 26.9 miles from Lonestar RV Park via FM85E
Kaufman Texas
Kaufman is a city in Kaufman County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,703 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Kaufman County.
Kaufman was the first place that Bonnie Parker from Bonnie and Clyde was incarcerated. The city is named after Kaufman County, which was named after David S. Kaufman,
The city of Kaufman and surrounding portions of Kaufman County are served by the Kaufman Independent School District.One of the most popular spots in the Kaufman area is Tanger Outlet Mall, a shopping destination featuring apparel, accessories, entertainment, food, footwear, housewares and much more.
Kaufman is approximately 20.8 mi from Lonestar RV Park via US-175E and TX-274N.
