Early Settlement

Forreston is considered the oldest Anglo settlement in Ellis County

Forreston, in southern Ellis County, is one of the county's oldest Anglo settlements. Settlers were there before the county was even formally created in 1849.

Ellis County History & Culture

Forreston sits in the southern part of Ellis County. It is recognized as one of the oldest Anglo-settled communities in the area. Settlers arrived before the county was formally established on December 20, 1849. That makes it older than many of the towns that later grew up along railroad lines.

Forreston grew slowly compared to Waxahachie and other towns that benefited from the railroad after 1872. Today it is a small rural community. Its history reaches back to the earliest days of the county — before the cotton boom changed the landscape. The TSHA Handbook of Texas documents its early history. If you are interested in the deep roots of Ellis County, Forreston is a good place to start.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook of Texas — Forreston, TX

More Ellis County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two different offices handle your property tax in Ellis County

The Ellis County Appraisal District sets your property value, but a separate Tax Assessor-Collector office sends the bill and collects the money.

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Homestead Exemption

File a homestead exemption to lower your property tax bill

Texas law lets homeowners who live in their home claim a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of the property.

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Ag Valuation

Farm and ranch land can be taxed on productivity, not market value

In Ellis County, qualifying farm or ranch land is taxed on what it can produce, not what it could sell for. That can cut the tax bill by a lot.

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Vehicle Registration

Ellis County vehicles need an emissions test every year

Ellis County is in the DFW area, so most gas-powered vehicles must pass an emissions test every year before the owner can renew registration.

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