[7] Early settlers to northern Texas came from a variety of eastern states, with about half coming from the "Deep South".

Most of the rest came from the Upper South, and a number sympathized with the Unionist side at the outset of the Civil War.

In October 1862, several Unionist sympathizers from Decatur were arrested by Confederate troops and taken to nearby Gainesville, the Cooke County seat, for trial on charges of treason and insurrection.

Mob pressure against the court arose, and it turned over 14 suspects, who were lynched - and executed by hanging without any judicial process.

Nineteen men who had been acquitted were returned to the court, and a new jury convicted them without any new evidence, sentencing them to death.

In 1882, the Fort Worth and Denver Railway reached the town,[7] and Decatur was added to the Butterfield Overland mail route.

He used corner entrances (making for short halls) to draw in the breeze, which was pulled up through a central atrium like a chimney, providing excellent air circulation.

Another historic building found on the east side of the city is the Texas Tourist Camp, dating back to 1927.

[14] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22 km2), all land.

As with ancient hill towns in Europe, the frontier settlement was developed on high ground for defensive purposes, so European settlers could see and ward off attacks or raids, in this case by Native Americans.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

The Service Broadcasting Tower Decatur,[21][22] a guyed TV-mast, belongs to world's tallest constructions.