Gun Barrel City, Texas
Encyclopedia
Gun Barrel City is a city in Henderson County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 5,145 at the 2000 census.
The town began as an unincorporated community known as the "Old Bethel Community" in the 1960s after completion of Cedar Creek Reservoir
. It was incorporated in the late 1960s so it could legally sell beer and wine. The city takes its name from a former road, Gun Barrel Lane (which is now State Highway 198), as well as its motto, "We Shoot Straight with You" and its symbol - a rifle with two crossed antique pistols. Gun Barrel Lane got its name during the 1920s and '30s when outlaws frequented the area. It was considered a safe backwoods place during Prohibition when the likes of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker hung out in the area. A local resident, Mr. C. L. Wait, lived along the road and was known for sitting at the window of his house with a shotgun sticking out the window. It was his way of deterring those he deemed unwelcome on this back country road.
Gun Barrel City was incorporated on May 26, 1969. Since that time, Gun Barrel City has grown into the central hub and access point for the waters of Cedar Creek Lake. This has led visitors from around the region to use Gun Barrel City as the gateway into the lake. In addition to the high amount of tourism that the community witnesses (particularly during the summer boating season), Gun Barrel City and the surrounding communities have experienced a residential building boom over the past several years. This growth has largely been led by the relocation of wealthy retirees from throughout the Dallas region, building large lake homes in order to take advantage of Gun Barrel City's lake access.
In May 2000, Gun Barrel City voters elected their thirteenth Mayor, 21-year-old entrepreneur and newspaper publisher, Randal Tye Thomas
, who became a media and political celebrity in the Dallas metropolitan area. After a very successful year as mayor marked by widespread community support, he resigned suddenly in May 2001 following an indictment for one count of misdemeanor perjury and in the same week being arrested for public intoxication. All criminal charges were eventually dismissed. Thomas and the community were featured in many local, state, and national publications and programs, including a feature store in the magazine Texas Monthly
and a feature on the popular nationwide NPR
program This American Life
. Thomas moved to the Dallas, Texas
area in 2002.
In 2008, Gun Barrel City received the coveted Certified Retirement Community recognition from the Texas Department of Agriculture's Go Texan program. The community has also received recognition from the Governor's Office, receiving second place on two separate occasions in the Governor's Community Achievement Awards.
, Gun Barrel City is the retail hub for a trade area of more than 75,000 people and features no city property tax.
The lake itself is the fourth largest in Texas with 220+ miles of shoreline, making it one of the most popular lakes for boating and fishing.
Modest lakefront homes, selling for less than $100,000 five years ago, now easily fetch $200,000 or more. New lakeshore home construction boasts an average price of $566,000 and from 2006 to date, 56 new lakefront homes have been built with a median price of $544,000.
All of this activity has swelled the stated population of 5,000+ to more than 10,000 during the boating season, which now starts before Memorial Day and extends well past Labor Day.
of 2000, there were 5,145 people, 2,163 households, and 1,498 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,000.5 people per square mile (386.5/km²). There were 2,736 housing units at an average density of 532.0 per square mile (205.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.23% White, 1.11% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 1.32% from other races
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.60% of the population.
There are 2,163 households, of which 24.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau
. Of 2,163 households, 78 are unmarried partner households: 63 heterosexual, 6 same-sex male, and 9 same-sex female households. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,075, and the median income for a family was $34,321. Males had a median income of $33,872 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,046. About 13.1% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
. Elementary schools include Southside Elementary, Central Elementary, and Lakeview Elementary.
A new high school campus opened in the fall of 2007. The new campus is adjacent to the old high school in Mabank.
Lakeview Elementary School (Gun Barrel City), Mabank Intermediate School (Mabank
), Mabank Junior High School (Mabank), and Mabank High School
(Mabank) serve Gun Barrel City.
The Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a community team made up of resident executives and business owners, responsible for attracting new investment and helping expand existing businesses within the City. With a seven member board, one staff person and Orasi Development – an economic development consultant, the Gun Barrel City EDC is funded by a $.0025 sales tax that allows the EDC to accomplish its goals.
Business Assistance
The Gun Barrel City EDC provides business assistance to qualifying companies. They evaluate incentives for businesses to locate or expand in the Gun Barrel City area and base their findings on taxes assessed and paid, the number of jobs created or retained, wages paid, local purchases of products and services, indirect employment gains and the general benefit of furthering the mission of the Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation.
They primarily seek businesses in manufacturing, production, medical/health, hospitality and distribution. Funds may be used in land lease/purchase, building lease/purchase, rehabilitation or construction, capital equipment purchase, infrastructure improvements or employee training. Funds may not be used for venture or equity capital, working capital/inventories or personal loans. Forms of business assistance include loans/loan guarantees, SBA 504, SBA 7(A) guaranteed and direct loan, and the rural economic development fund.
Henderson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,277 people, 28,804 households, and 20,969 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile . There were 35,935 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,145 at the 2000 census.
The town began as an unincorporated community known as the "Old Bethel Community" in the 1960s after completion of Cedar Creek Reservoir
Cedar Creek Reservoir (Texas)
Cedar Creek Reservoir is a reservoir located in Henderson and Kaufman Counties, Texas , 60 miles southeast of Dallas. It is built on Cedar Creek, which flows into the Trinity River...
. It was incorporated in the late 1960s so it could legally sell beer and wine. The city takes its name from a former road, Gun Barrel Lane (which is now State Highway 198), as well as its motto, "We Shoot Straight with You" and its symbol - a rifle with two crossed antique pistols. Gun Barrel Lane got its name during the 1920s and '30s when outlaws frequented the area. It was considered a safe backwoods place during Prohibition when the likes of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker hung out in the area. A local resident, Mr. C. L. Wait, lived along the road and was known for sitting at the window of his house with a shotgun sticking out the window. It was his way of deterring those he deemed unwelcome on this back country road.
History
Despite having a name that evokes images of the Texas Frontier, Gun Barrel City is only fifty years old. Not long after Cedar Creek Lake (a reservoir for the Tarrant Regional Water District) completed construction, the fledgling community that sat on its banks took steps to officially become a city.Gun Barrel City was incorporated on May 26, 1969. Since that time, Gun Barrel City has grown into the central hub and access point for the waters of Cedar Creek Lake. This has led visitors from around the region to use Gun Barrel City as the gateway into the lake. In addition to the high amount of tourism that the community witnesses (particularly during the summer boating season), Gun Barrel City and the surrounding communities have experienced a residential building boom over the past several years. This growth has largely been led by the relocation of wealthy retirees from throughout the Dallas region, building large lake homes in order to take advantage of Gun Barrel City's lake access.
In May 2000, Gun Barrel City voters elected their thirteenth Mayor, 21-year-old entrepreneur and newspaper publisher, Randal Tye Thomas
Randal Tye Thomas
Randal Tye Thomas served as mayor of Gun Barrel City, Texas. He was also a member of the Electoral College in the 2000 Presidential Election.-Early years:...
, who became a media and political celebrity in the Dallas metropolitan area. After a very successful year as mayor marked by widespread community support, he resigned suddenly in May 2001 following an indictment for one count of misdemeanor perjury and in the same week being arrested for public intoxication. All criminal charges were eventually dismissed. Thomas and the community were featured in many local, state, and national publications and programs, including a feature store in the magazine Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly is a monthly American magazine headquartered in Austin, Texas. Texas Monthly is published by Emmis Publishing, L.P. and was founded in 1973 by Michael R. Levy, Texas Monthly chronicles life in contemporary Texas, writing on politics, the environment, industry, and education...
and a feature on the popular nationwide NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
program This American Life
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
. Thomas moved to the Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
area in 2002.
In 2008, Gun Barrel City received the coveted Certified Retirement Community recognition from the Texas Department of Agriculture's Go Texan program. The community has also received recognition from the Governor's Office, receiving second place on two separate occasions in the Governor's Community Achievement Awards.
Economy
Nestled on the shores of Cedar Creek Lake, 55 miles southeast of downtown DallasDowntown Dallas
Downtown Dallas is the Central Business District in Dallas, Texas USA, located in the geographic center of the city. The area termed "Downtown" has traditionally been defined as bounded by the downtown freeway loop: bounded on the east by I-345 Downtown Dallas is the Central Business District...
, Gun Barrel City is the retail hub for a trade area of more than 75,000 people and features no city property tax.
The lake itself is the fourth largest in Texas with 220+ miles of shoreline, making it one of the most popular lakes for boating and fishing.
Modest lakefront homes, selling for less than $100,000 five years ago, now easily fetch $200,000 or more. New lakeshore home construction boasts an average price of $566,000 and from 2006 to date, 56 new lakefront homes have been built with a median price of $544,000.
All of this activity has swelled the stated population of 5,000+ to more than 10,000 during the boating season, which now starts before Memorial Day and extends well past Labor Day.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,145 people, 2,163 households, and 1,498 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,000.5 people per square mile (386.5/km²). There were 2,736 housing units at an average density of 532.0 per square mile (205.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.23% White, 1.11% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 1.32% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.60% of the population.
There are 2,163 households, of which 24.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
. Of 2,163 households, 78 are unmarried partner households: 63 heterosexual, 6 same-sex male, and 9 same-sex female households. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,075, and the median income for a family was $34,321. Males had a median income of $33,872 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $21,046. About 13.1% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Gun Barrel City is within the Mabank Independent School DistrictMabank Independent School District
Mabank Independent School District is a public school district based in Mabank, Texas .In addition to Mabank, the district serves southeast Kaufman, southwest Van Zandt, and northwest Henderson counties, including the community of Gun Barrel City and parts of Seven Points.In 2009, the school...
. Elementary schools include Southside Elementary, Central Elementary, and Lakeview Elementary.
A new high school campus opened in the fall of 2007. The new campus is adjacent to the old high school in Mabank.
Lakeview Elementary School (Gun Barrel City), Mabank Intermediate School (Mabank
Mabank, Texas
Mabank is a town in Henderson and Kaufman Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 2,151 at the 2000 census. The population estimate as of January 1, 2007 was 2,816.-Geography:Mabank is located at ....
), Mabank Junior High School (Mabank), and Mabank High School
Mabank High School
Mabank High School, is the only high school in Mabank Independent School District. It is located in the city of Mabank, Texas .In addition to the city of Mabank, the school serves southeast Kaufman, southwest Van Zandt, and northwest Henderson counties, including the community of Gun Barrel City...
(Mabank) serve Gun Barrel City.
Economic Development
OrganizationThe Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a community team made up of resident executives and business owners, responsible for attracting new investment and helping expand existing businesses within the City. With a seven member board, one staff person and Orasi Development – an economic development consultant, the Gun Barrel City EDC is funded by a $.0025 sales tax that allows the EDC to accomplish its goals.
Business Assistance
The Gun Barrel City EDC provides business assistance to qualifying companies. They evaluate incentives for businesses to locate or expand in the Gun Barrel City area and base their findings on taxes assessed and paid, the number of jobs created or retained, wages paid, local purchases of products and services, indirect employment gains and the general benefit of furthering the mission of the Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation.
They primarily seek businesses in manufacturing, production, medical/health, hospitality and distribution. Funds may be used in land lease/purchase, building lease/purchase, rehabilitation or construction, capital equipment purchase, infrastructure improvements or employee training. Funds may not be used for venture or equity capital, working capital/inventories or personal loans. Forms of business assistance include loans/loan guarantees, SBA 504, SBA 7(A) guaranteed and direct loan, and the rural economic development fund.
External links
- Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation website
- Gun Barrel City website
- Cedar Creek Pilot --local newspaper
- Mabank Monitor --local newspaper