Ladonia, Texas - Saturday was a busy day for the town of Ladonia with families beginning their day at Gloria's Kitchen in downtown Ladonia and the Ladonia Fire Departmart having a fundraiser to raise money in order to be able to stay on call with all the fires that have been popping up in Fannin County.  The Ladonia Volunteer Fire Department is needing any monetary donations that the public could offer.  Volunteer Fire Department meetings are first and third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

They also are encouraging the public to get involved in the monthly City of Ladonia Council meetings on the first Saturday of each month beginning at 8:30.  For more information contact City Hall at 903-367-7011.  Ladonia Chamber of Commerce meetings are held the first Friday of each month at 1:00 p.m.

J.D. Atchley, candidate for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 and Tammy Skidmore Rich, candidate for Fannin County Clerk spent the day visiting the town, walking the streets and speaking with residents about the needs of their community.  After walking blocks and blocks of the city we were amazed at the history this town holds.  After researching the history I discovered that Ladonia was settled around 1840 by James MacFarland and Daniel Davis. 

The first house built in Ladonia was by Patrick Old with James H. Cole being the first merchant in the community who was a carpenter who moved to the county in 1855 and actually planned and staked out the town site.  Ladonia was first known as McCownville and in 1857 it was changed to LaDonna according to local legend.  In 1858 a post office was established and it was changed to Ladonia.  In 1860 the town grew quickly because of the fertile land that produced agricultural crops in the area. 

In 1887 the Santa Fe, Colorado and Gulf Railway made its way through the town.  In 1885 the community became incorporated and had a population of 350, two cotton gins, a bank, a flourmill, a school and a number of beautiful churches.  By the early 1890's the town had increased to 1,500 and by 1897 there were 2,000 residents with 100 businesses, six dry-goods stores, tree drugstores, three cotton gins, and two banks.  In the mid-1970's the population had dropped to 815 residents with the town's major industry being Texas-A-Pak, which shipped horsemeat for sale in European markets.   The Ladonia School was forced to consolidate with Pecan Gap to form the Fannindel School District.  According to the 2004 U.S. Census there are now 690 residents that call Ladonia their home.

Currently you will find homes throughout Ladonia being renovated and new faces re-establishing their families to one of many historic communities in Fannin County.

Caleb Jackson, Ladonia Fire Department

At the end of the day at Gloria's Kitchen she visits with her last customers before closing.

(l-r) Doris Elliott, J.D. Atchley, Tammy Rich and Judy Teller

Gloria's Kitchen began the day for the town with wonderful coffee with a enticing breakfast menu with many different homecooked meals.