DIRECT, TEXAS

Lamar County, Central Texas North

FM 79
Near Fannin County Line
25 miles NW of Paris the county seat
35 miles NE of Bonham
Population: 70 est. (2010)

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Entering Direct
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007

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.

Old gas station
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007

Direct Community Sign
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, August 2010

Direct Convenience Store
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, August 2010

Direct Fellowship
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, August 2010

FM East 197
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, August 2010

Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, August 2010

Old shed
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, August 2010

Direct, TX Lamar County post office info

Cover canceled with Direct TX 1930 postmark
Courtesy The John J. Germann Collection

1940s map showing Direct in NW Lamar County
near Fannin County line
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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