Tatum is a city in Rusk and Panola counties in Texas, United States. Its population was 1,342 at the 2020 census.

History

Tatum was settled in the 1840s by Albert Tatum and his second wife, Mary C. (Rippetoe) Tatum. In 1848, they built a large plantation there. In 1885, the Santa Fe Railway came through, and the town was divided into individual lots. One of their sons, Paul "Uncle Fox" Tatum, who studied architecture in New York, laid out the streets. He became the postmaster in 1886. The city of Tatum lies along Trammel's Trace, an old trade route; a marker at the south end of town commemorates it. In the city park stands the restored Santa Fe depot.

Albert Tatum was born on August 12, 1810, in Hancock County, Georgia, the son of William Tatum and Alice B. (Dent) Tatum. Albert Tatum first married Rebecca Elizabeth Ann Menefee about 1837 in Chambers County, Alabama. They were the parents of one son, William C. Tatum, who was born on June 25, 1838, in Chambers County, Alabama.

After the death of his first wife on December 31, 1840, in Chambers County, Albert Tatum married Mary C. Rippetoe on September 22, 1841, in Tallapoosa County, Alabama.

At one time, Albert Tatum owned over of land around the current town of Tatum.

After the town's first bank was established in 1903, things got bad early in the 20th century, as a tornado destroyed part of the town in 1904. The next year, a fire destroyed almost all of the north side of town.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Tatum has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Tatum had a population of 1,342, with 498 households and 320 families residing in the city.

The median age was 33.1 years. 31.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 79.8 males age 18 and over.

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 825 || 61.5%

|-

| Black or African American || 223 || 16.6%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 5 || 0.4%

|-

| Asian || 4 || 0.3%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%

|-

| Some other race || 149 || 11.1%

|-

| Two or more races || 136 || 10.1%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 328 || 24.4%

|}

2000 census

As of the census Tatum in Panola County is also in Tatum ISD.

The portion of Tatum ISD not in Panola County is in the service area of Kilgore Junior College, while the portion in Panola County is in the service area of Panola College.

The campuses include:

  • Tatum High School

<!--this is not all campuses-->

Attractions

thumb|Martin Lake Power Plant in Tatum Texas <!-- try to eventually put this in a economy section -->

Martin Creek Lake State Park is located southeast of Tatum. The park was deeded to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by Texas Utilities and opened to the public in 1976. The park is located on Martin Creek Lake, constructed to provide cooling water for the lignite-fired Martin Lake Power Plant. Martin Creek Lake State Park provides excellent, year-round fishing, camping, wildlife observation and photography, picnicking, boating, water skiing, unsupervised lake swimming, backpacking, and hiking. Annual events at Martin Creek Lake State Park include Christmas in the Piney Woods (first weekend in December), Fourth of July Bike Parade, and the Annual Family Easter Egg Hunt. The park also offers regular programs most weekends, including Geocaching 101, Dutch Oven Cooking (4th Saturday of every month), Guided Hikes, Guided Paddling Programs, Star Gazing, and Art in the Parks craft programs.

Major highways

  • State Highway 43
  • State Highway 149
  • Farm to Market Road 1797
  • Farm to Market Road 3231

Notable people

  • Bob Allen, former pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
  • Larry Centers, NFL running back
  • Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders wide receiver
  • Crystal Powell, actress and comedienne

See also

  • List of municipalities in Texas

Notes

References

  • Tatum Economic Development Corporation
  • Tatum Independent School District