Pittsburg, Texas

Pittsburg is a small town located in northeast Texas, ten miles south of Interstate 30 and about 60 miles southwest of Texarkana and 90 miles northeast of Dallas. The town of Pittsburg has a population of about 4,500 residents and it serves as the county seat for Camp County. It is the largest and oldest town in the county. U.S. Highway 271 and State Highway 11 intersect within the Pittsburg city limits. The Caddo and Cherokee Indians once occupied the land on which the town now stands, however, the Indians had abandoned the area by the time settlers arrived during the 1830s. Slowly, a community began to emerge and the post office was established in 1855 and the town was given the name Pittsburg, in honor of William Harrison Pitts, one of the early settlers. Two railroad lines were constructed through the town in the 1870s and Pittsburg became an important trade center and shipping point for local farmers. In 1902, Pittsburg became known as the site of the reported flight of a “flying machine” that predates the Wright Brothers plane. From 1890 through 1980, each census recorded a larger population for the town of Pittsburg than the previous census. Until the 1930s, the town remained primarily a trade center for area farmers, but by the early 1940s, it became more dependent on industry, retail goods and services. Even when the overall population of Camp County declined between 1940 and 1960, the population of Pittsburg continued to increase.

Pittsburg is a “Main Street Community,” where over $6.5 million dollars was spent to renovate the historic downtown commercial area during the past fifteen years. One example of this reinvestment was the restoration of the deteriorated historic post office (1925) that has now been converted into offices. Pittsburg is situated in the beautiful Piney Woods area of northeast Texas. Here you will find a region filled with lakes and pine trees, delicate dogwoods, azaleas and wild roses. History also abounds in the towns located along the famed El Camino Real (Spanish for “The Royal Highway.) The countryside surrounding Pittsburg is heavily timbered and is still considered prime farmland. Pittsburg remains a commercial center for farming, poultry and livestock, with Camp County being one of the top ten peach-producing counties in the state. Blueberries and blackberries are also abundant (with some farms offering pick-your-own opportunities.) The city of Pittsburg offers antique shops, a vintage grocery and hardware store, a 1950s style soda fountain, clothing stores, gift and craft shops, excellent restaurants, bed and breakfasts and historic attractions. The town is near two state parks and six major lakes that offer swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, picnicking and other recreational activities. There are all kinds of small town festivals, museums and other fun activities to enjoy in the region, as well. The charming town of Pittsburg, in the Piney Woods of East Texas, has a slow, relaxed pace and is a great place to live, work or visit.

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