Clarksville and Red River County are older than the State of Texas.  The first known inhabitants were the Caddo Indians and later the Shawnee, Delaware and Kickapoo Indians.  Red River County encompassed all or part of 39 different counties in present day Northeast Texas.  Hunters and traders were here as early as 1815, and by 1818 permanent settlement was underway at Jonesboro and Burkham’s Settlement on the Red River.  Clarksville was founded in 1833 and was made the county seat in 1838 by a vote of the people.  The present courthouse is only the third and contains all of the original records dating back to the days of the Republic of Texas.  This historic courthouse was built in 1884-85 and was recently restored to the 1880s era.  Clarksville’s First Presbyterian Church is the state’s oldest Protestant congregation, having been formed in 1833.  Clarksville is a Texas Main Street City, a National Main Street City and a Preserve America Community.  Each year, Clarksville hosts the Red River County Fair in September and the Red River County Historical Society Fall Bazaar on the first Saturday in October.  For more information see www.red-river.net or call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-427-2645.