History

The History of Kemp by Mrs. Leslie Reasonover, as presented to the Kaufman County Historical Commission and their book "Kaufman County History Vol. 1".

Levi Noble first called the city Kemp, when he applied to the Post Office Dept. and was appointed postmaster May 27, 1851. Apparently, where Levi Noble lived, and had his combination way station , store and post office; just south of the present site of Kemp, was for many years the beginning of the settlement of this area.

As other settlers came into the area they soon saw the need for churches and schools for their children. Since most of these new settlers were Presbyterian, a church was organized in 1854 and plans were begun for the construction of a modest log building which was completed in 1867. This marked the first year of public schools in what was to become known as "Academy of Learning". Rev. Ed Hudson, a wounded Confederate soldier, who served during the Civil War as Chaplain, was employed to teach and Rev. R. O. Watkins who had been instrumental in the organization of the church now served as minister of these Presbyterian settlers.

Soon after the end of the Civil War there was an influx of additional pioneers and about 1870 Dr. A. J. Still bought the land where the present town is located. He contracted with the Texas Trunk railroad to build their new railroad through his land by offering them "All blocks which have odd numbers from No. 1 to No. 83" of his newly platted town site of Kemp. Sam Parmalee, another early Kemp settler followed suit by offering right of way through his land. By the mid 1880's the railroad was a reality, a fine depot was constructed and Kemp became the terminus of the Texas Trunk Railroad.

More and more settlers streamed to this fertile land and cotton farming became the leading industry. Kemp became the trade center for the lower part of Kaufman County. Merchants and farmers alike prospered, thus bringing even more newcomers.

Today much of this land is devoted to the raising of cattle and many residents commute to the Dallas area to work.