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DIRECT, TEXAS
Lamar County, North
Central Texas
FM 79
35 miles NE of Bonham
25 miles NW of Paris near the
Fannin County Line
Population: 70 (2000)
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Paris
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History
in a Pecan Shell
The unusual name has two sources - one as likely (or unlikely) as
the other. Story one: Indians from Oklahoma crossed the Red River
"direct" to get whiskey. Story two: A preacher told the inhabitants
that if they didn't change their ways they were danger of going "direct"
to Hell.
In either case, the town was familiar with "beverage alcohol" and
a local bartender is said to have financed the building of the community's
first church.
The town's post office had a lengthy run - operating from 1887 through
the mid 1950s. Direct supported three general stores during its early
days and by 1914 when the population had exceeded 200, there were
four stores, plus two blacksmiths. The population reached a high of
250 shortly after WWII but a decline set in and by the 1980s there
were only 70 people remaining. The same figure remains in use for
the 2000 figures. |
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