Terrell, Texas | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Downtown Terrell, Texas (2021) | |
| Motto: "Building a Better Community" | |
 Location of Terrell inKaufman County,Texas | |
| Coordinates:32°45′15″N96°17′32″W / 32.75417°N 96.29222°W /32.75417; -96.29222 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Kaufman |
| Incorporated (city) | 1874 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
• Total | 27.33 sq mi (70.78 km2) |
| • Land | 26.95 sq mi (69.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.38 sq mi (0.98 km2) |
| Elevation | 522 ft (159 m) |
| Population (2020)[3] | |
• Total | 17,465 |
| • Density | 648.1/sq mi (250.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 75160-75161 |
| Area codes | 214, 469, 945, 972 |
| FIPS code | 48-72284 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412050[2] |
| Website | cityofterrell |
Terrell is a city in theU.S. state ofTexas, located inKaufman County. As of the2020 census, its population was 17,465.[4] Terrell is located about 32 miles (51 km) east ofDallas.
Terrell developed as a railroad town, beginning in 1873 with the construction of theTexas and Pacific Railroad line.[5] The town was named for Robert A. Terrell, a pioneerEuropean-American settler whose farm lay on its western edge. He built an octagonal house on his property, called "Round House", to provide better defense against attacks by Native Americans. His house was later fitted with the first glass windows in the county. The community was incorporated in 1875.[6] The first automobile appeared in 1899.[7]
In 1892, Terrell was asundown town that largely prohibited African Americans from living there.[8]
The Terrell Military College was established in Terrell, operating until after World War II. Its campus was sited on part of the former Terrell farm and incorporated his historic Round House. In 1949, the Southern Bible Institute, based in Dallas and affiliated with theChurches of Christ, bought the military college property and transferred their operations here, renaming their institutionSouthwestern Christian College. It is a private,historically black college. The Round House has been preserved on campus, and is one of 20 such structures in the nation.
The headquarters of the 3rd Battalion,144th Infantry Regiment of theTexas Army National Guard was also located in Terrell.
Terrell is located in northern Kaufman County.U.S. Route 80 passes through the city center, leading west to Dallas and east 15 miles (24 km) toWills Point.Interstate 20 passes through the south side of the city, leading west 19 miles (31 km) toInterstate 635 in the southeastern suburbs of Dallas (Balch Springs) and east 27 miles (43 km) toCanton.Texas State Highway 34 passes through the east side of Terrell, leading northeast 32 miles (51 km) toGreenville and south 12 miles (19 km) toKaufman, thecounty seat.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Terrell has a total area of 20.0 square miles (51.8 km2), of which 0.3 square miles (0.9 km2), or 1.74%, is covered by water.[4]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen climate classification, Terrell has ahumid subtropical climate,Cfa on climate maps.[9]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 2,003 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,988 | 49.2% | |
| 1900 | 6,330 | 111.8% | |
| 1910 | 7,050 | 11.4% | |
| 1920 | 8,349 | 18.4% | |
| 1930 | 8,795 | 5.3% | |
| 1940 | 10,481 | 19.2% | |
| 1950 | 11,544 | 10.1% | |
| 1960 | 13,803 | 19.6% | |
| 1970 | 14,182 | 2.7% | |
| 1980 | 13,169 | −7.1% | |
| 1990 | 12,490 | −5.2% | |
| 2000 | 13,606 | 8.9% | |
| 2010 | 15,816 | 16.2% | |
| 2020 | 17,465 | 10.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 21,480 | 23.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 6,696 | 38.34% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 4,500 | 25.77% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 64 | 0.37% |
| Asian (NH) | 131 | 0.75% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 3 | 0.02% |
| Some other race (NH) | 40 | 0.23% |
| Mixed/multiracial (NH) | 604 | 3.46% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5,427 | 31.07% |
| Total | 17,465 |
As of the2020 United States census, 17,465 people, 6,023 households, and 4,111 families resided in the city.
During World War II, the No. 1 British Flying Training School was located in Terrell. It was the first of six civilianflight schools in the United States dedicated to instructing BritishRoyal Air Force (RAF) pilots during that war.[14] This followed an international training concept similar to that previously implemented during World War I near Fort Worth atCamp Taliaferro.
Terrell Municipal Airport hosts the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum, which has an extensive record of the school.[15] In 2000, the museum was instrumental in honoring four RAF airmen who died in a crash during World War II. The four, flying from Terrell, encountered difficulties over theKiamichi Mountains of Oklahoma. TheAT6 Monument, whose dedication made international headlines with many from Terrell and the United Kingdom present, marks the spot of one of the crashes. City, state, and even international dignitaries gathered in Terrell on Friday, September 16, 2011, to mark the opening of the new Major William F. Long Terminal Building.
The City of Terrell, in partnership with the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum, hosts an annual World War II veterans' reunion and air event on the first Saturday of October. This event draws attendees from all over the world. It presents numerous attractions such as vintage aircraft and military vehicles, skydiving, flight simulators, lectures, films, demonstrations, and activities for every member of the family. The reunion dinner and hangar dance are on Friday night, and the fly-in kicks off with a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, followed by a ceremony and entertainment until the afternoon.[15]
Terrell Jubilee, held the third weekend in April at Ben Gill Park, is a family celebration with a BBQ cook-off, museum tours, arts and crafts exhibition, carnival, live music, a quilt show, an auto show, and other attractions.[16]
The city is zoned to schools inTerrell Independent School District.
In 2010, Terrell Independent School District voted to rezone the district into East and West for grades 3–6. The city is divided along Rockwall St. and then further down along a line with no specific boundary.
Trinity Valley Community College operates the Kaufman County Campus in Terrell.
Southwestern Christian College is a private,historically black college affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It offers a four-year degree for ministerial studies, and two-year associate degrees in liberal arts and technical specialties.
Terrell is the location of theTerrell State Hospital, a psychiatric inpatient hospital with 316 beds operated under the direction of theTexas Department of State Health Services.[17]
'In Terrell also very few negroes are barely tolerated, and in many sections everything is done to discourage negro immigration.'
Media related toTerrell, Texas at Wikimedia CommonsMunicipalities and communities ofKaufman County, Texas,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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