Waskom, Texas

Waskom is a city in Harrison County, Texas, United States. It lies about 20 miles (32 km) east of the county seat, Marshall, on U.S. Route 80. To the east is Shreveport, Louisiana. The population was 2,068 at the 2000 census with a United States Census Bureau 2005 population estimate of 2,129 citizens.

History

Waskom was established in 1871 as a midway point of an east-west (Dallas to Shreveport) cattle and cotton economic travelway to the Red River in Louisiana, some 20 miles (32 km) east. In 1872, it became a main railroad station between Dallas and Shreveport to the west and east respectively and Texarkana to the north. A major railway still travels through Waskom. Today, Waskom sits on I-20 that connects the Carolinas to southwest Texas and Mexico.

Geography

Waskom is located at 32°28′42″N 94°3′50″W / 32.47833°N 94.06389°W / 32.47833; -94.06389 (32.478416, -94.063769). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²), all land.