Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Officially settled by the Spanish, French, and Americans and established as a Texas county in 1837, the area was originally inhabited by four Native American tribes: the Atakapa, the Caddo, the Biloxi, and the Ais who mostly used the area as a hunting ground. Throughout the 1800s and 1900s farmers cultivated the area and grew corn, tobacco, rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, cotton and oranges. These southern farms are intertwined with the history of slavery in the area. The largest source of income was timber, which flourished in the early 1900s as the railways expanded westward.
After the first settler, John Bevil, named the county for his favorite war hero he then began a township with the same name. A courthouse was built in 1889 as the city grew and was selected to hold the county seat. The split of 1846 divided Jasper into two counties, with Newton to the east, but the city of Jasper still maintained its population and today is inhabited by over 8000 people.
With populations around 2000 people or less, Jasper County hosts four more cities besides Jasper. Browndell, in the northeastern part of the county, was settled around the saw mill but today is known for the Sam Rayburn Reservior. Kirbyville, located centrally in the eastern part of the county, contributes to the cotton and lumber industries but is known for its Satsuma oranges. Buna, south centrally located, is best known for its lumber, farming and oil. Evadale, in the southwestern part of the county, thrives on the local papermill.
Jasper County has a population of about 34,000 residents, according to the 2010 Census Bureau. The Sam Rayburn Reservoir, near Browndell, generates power and flood control for the area and provides recreational opportunities. Surrounding the reservoir is the Angelina National Forest, with over 150,000 acres of land and activities like boating, fishing, hiking, camping and bird watching.