Gun Barrel City is a city in Henderson County, Texas, United States.
The population was 5,672 at the 2010 census, up from 5,145 at the 2000 census. The town began as an unincorporated community known as the "Old Bethel Community" in the 1960s after the 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 1930s 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.
Economy
Nestled on the shores of Cedar Creek Lake, 55 miles (89 km) southeast of downtown Dallas, 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 over 220 miles (350 km) of shoreline, making it one of the most popular lakes for boating and fishing.
All of this activity swells 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.
reviews (6)
A lot of older employees as well as retired. Everything is close to neighborhood. A lot of community activities for all. Especially on holidays like thanksgiving parade,Christmas parade. Something to do or places to go. All need to do is look events up on web or in little paper editions sent in the mail.
There are different types of people that lives in my community.
Care,education and community.
It's a very established community
Great place to live in the lake close to shopping great schools and entertainment.