Angelina County

Duane's take

Here's the story as the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Angelina County. Now, some counties come into the world quiet and settled, but this one had a little wanderin' to do before it found its footing.

Created and organized in 1846, carved out of what had been Nacogdoches County, it bore the name of the river that threads right through the heart of the region. The Angelina River gave the county its name, and that river wasn't going anywhere. The county seat, on the other hand, had other ideas.

Marion took the first turn, holding the title from 1846 all the way to 1854. Then Jonesville stepped up and carried the honor from 1854 to 1858. Now here's where things get interesting.

Homer took the seat on February 3rd, 1858. Seemed like it had arrived. But on May 17th of that very same year, Homer changed its name to Angelina.

So the county seat had been Homer, and then, just like that, it was Angelina. Same ground, new name, still the seat. That arrangement held until 1890, when Lufkin took over, and Lufkin hasn't let go since.

Four names on the deed for county seat, and only one river the whole time, runnin' right through the middle of it all, steady as ever.

What the marker says

Created and organized in 1846. Originally a part of Nacogdoches County. Bears the name of the river traversing the region. The following towns have served as the county seat: Marion, 1846-1854; Jonesville, 1854-1858; Homer, Feb. 3 - May 17, 1858, when its name was changed to Angelina, 1858 - 1890; Lufkin 1890.