Rains County is the gateway to Lake Tawakoni in the west and Lake Fork in the east. Those planning a trip here can take their cues from two lakes and the county’s diverse history: lakeshore activities, bass fishing, and historic sites around Emory offer distinct points of interest.
Lakes and their distinct points of interest
Lake Tawakoni lies in Rains, Van Zandt, and Hunt counties. Its reservoir inundates land in Rains County; along the lake’s shores, public and private facilities are available for swimming, boating, picnicking, fishing, and duck hunting. A boat ramp and the adjacent marina are located at the north end of the FM-2946 bridge on the lake’s Lake Fork Creek arm.
Lake Fork is one of the leading trophy bass lakes in the United States. This gives you two distinct points of interest to consider: Lake Tawakoni is associated with the lakeshore activities mentioned above, while Lake Fork offers a specific connection to trophy bass fishing.
Courthouse and County History
The Rains County Courthouse opened in 1909. It was built around a steel safe that had survived a fire in 1908. The courthouse square is the setting for community gatherings, festivals, celebrations, and parades.
Rains County is named in honor of Emory Rains (1800–1878). A historic marker commemorating him is located at Emory City Cemetery on N. Alexander Street. The county thus connects its namesake’s history with a specific place in the cemetery.
Historic Sites in Emory
The history of Emory United Methodist Church dates back to 1867; it was originally located in Springville in Wood County. The salvaged bell hangs in the belfry of the present-day church and is still in use. This connection between the church’s early location and its preserved bell adds another chapter of local history to the courthouse story.
In Emory, Emory Heritage Park is located off Highway 69 next to the Rains County Public Library. The park is home to the Luckett House, a restored and furnished 1912 Texas-style farmhouse. If you would like to include the house in your plans, please check the current visitor guidelines before your visit.
Archaeology and Road Connections
The Gilbert Site is in northern Rains County near the upper reaches of Lake Fork Reservoir. It is not a public attraction and is located on land leased for deer hunting. Archaeological evidence suggests that the site played an important role in the fur, gun, and horse trade in the mid-18th century. The site yielded a large collection of French trade goods and is the only carefully investigated Indigenous site in Texas to have yielded such a collection.
Farm Road 47 is designated as part of the Texas Lakes Trail in Rains County and passes the Iron Bridge Dam south of Point. This provides a specific road reference for getting around the county, alongside its lake and history attractions.
Discover more destinations: Falls County, Fayette, Real County, Sutton, Rockwall, Sabine County, Lamb.
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