It’s hard to miss Decatur, or its most distinctive structure: the Wise County Courthouse. Located at the crossroads of two U.S. highways, 81/287 and 380 near the center of Wise County, the town takes pride in its Western history, its vibrant present and its bright future.
Past and present mix with such annual events as the Chisholm Trail Days Western Heritage Festival on the historic Decatur Square and the Wise County Old Settler’s Reunion, an event that dates back to the 1860s.
Decatur has also become the home of one of the most popular stops on the Professional Bull Riders tour with the JW Hart PBR Challenge at the Wise County Fairgrounds, voted Venue of the Year three times since 2004.
The Wise County Fairgrounds also hosts one of the most popular antique auto swap meets in the United States. The Decatur Swap Meet, which typically includes more than 3,000 vendors, regularly draws 20,000 to 30,000 visitors during the weekend event.
The historic Wise County Courthouse made of pink granite on the exterior and Vermont marble on the interior has serves as the seat of county government since ti opened in 1896. It is the fourth courthouse to serve Wise County.
Surrounding the impressive structure at the center of the town square is a mix of retail shops, law offices, eating establishments and more that prove to be an irresistible draw for both locals and out-of-town visitors alike.
The largest retail corridors in the city are located along U.S. 81/287 and Farm Road 51, and new construction along both thoroughfares points to continued growth in the years to come.
Government
Mayor: Mike McQuiston
Mayor Pro Tem: Melinda Reeves
City Council Members: Eddie Allen, Jake Hayes, Darlene Hilton, Debra Jackson and Will Carpenter
Council Meetings
Second and Fourth Mondays each Month @ 6pm
City Hall
201 E. Walnut Street
City Manager: Nate Mara
City Secretary: Asucena Garcia, TRMC
Phone: 940-393-0200
Website: decaturtx.org
Decatur EDC
Executive Director: Kevin Holzbog
Executive Administrative Assistant: Barbara Metcalf
Phone: 940-393-0350
Services
Decatur Police Department
Police Chief: Rex Hoskins
Phone: 940-393-0300
Decatur Fire Department
Fire Chief: Nate Mara
Phone: 940-393-0230
Decatur Municipal Airport, 351 Airport Road in Decatur (one mile north of town on Farm Road 730)
Been in existence since 1914, making it the oldest airport in the state. It features a 4,202-foot by 60-foot runway with a 17,000-pound dual wheel weight-bearing capacity. The runway is accessible 24 hours a day.
Phone: 940-627-2855
Wise Health System, 609 Medical Center Drive
Serves Decatur, Wise County and the surrounding area.
Phone: 940-627-5921
Website: wisehealthsystem.com
Decatur Public Library, 1700 S. Hwy 51
Offers a mix of education, literature, technology and collaborative experiences for all ages.
Phone: 940-393-0290
Website: decaturpubliclibrary.com
Visiting
Decatur Visitor’s Center, 106 South Trinity Street
A great place to begin your visit to town. Located in a historic, refurbished post office, the building houses the Decatur Main Street office of Manager Frieda Haley Lasater. Tours of this historic courthouse can also be made with Lasater by appointment.
In addition to providing information about the city and the surrounding area, the center also regularly hosts art shows put on by the Wise County Art Association.
Phone: 940-393-0340
Website: decaturmainstreet.com
Decatur Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. Main
The chamber holds membership lunches at 11:30am every fourth Tuesday except July and December at the Decatur Civic Center.
Executive Director: Misty Hudson
Phone: 940-627-3107
Website: decaturtx.com
Decatur Civic Center, 2010 U.S. 380 W.
27,000 square-foot multi-use facility that hosts a variety of events large or small. The center offers both on-site and off-site catering.
Phone: 940-393-0280
Website: decaturciviccenter.com
Parks and Recreation
vKenny Renshaw Park, off FM 51 South
Features two softball fields, two soccer fields, a pavilion and a playground.
Harmon Park, at the corner of East Mill and South Church Streets
Features two little league baseball fields, a large playground and a skate park.
Hollis and Sue Jones Park, Located at the end of Country Club Road
Includes two basketball courts, a baseball field, softball field, playground and a soccer/football field. The largest of the city’s parks.
Louida “Big Mama” Willis Park, at the corner of North Arthur and Brown Streets
Features a playground, sandbox, swing set and picnic tables.
Melba Doyle Park, at the end of Melba Doyle Park Road off Chico Road
Features a six-basket disc golf course, swings, picnic tables and shade trees
Wise County Veterans Park, at the corner of E. Ash and N. Trinity Streets
Lines with brick pavers that hold the names of 1,500 veterans. It also features a pavilion and the “Path of Sacrifice and Valor” commemorating American conflicts. The park hosts numerous veterans events each year.
Decatur Country Club, 211 Country Club Drive
Features a nine-hole course that is mostly open with trees lining the outside of a few fairways. Open six days a week (closed Mondays)
Phone: 940-627-3789
Website: decaturgolfclub.com
Decatur Senior Citizens Center, 1200 N. Miller Street
Phone: 940-627-2926
Education
The Class 4A Decatur Independent School District has three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.
Superintendent: Dr. Judi Whitis
School Board Members: Jeff Alling, Kevin Haney, Matt Joiner, Marsha Hafer, Wade Watson, Jim Lamirand and Cheri Boyd
Administration Office, 307 S. Cates Street
Phone: 940-393-7100
Decatur High School, 750 East Eagle Summit Drive
Phone: 940-393-7200
McCarroll Middle School
7th/8th grade campus: 1201 West Thompson Street
6th grade campus : 1200 Eagle Drive
Phone: 940-393-7300 or 940-393-7327
Carson Elementary School, 2100 Business 81/287 South
Phone: 940-393-7500
Rann Elementary School, 1300 Deer Park Road
Phone: 940-393-7600
Young Elementary School, 379 Buchanan Road
Phone: 940-393-7400
Website: decaturisd.us