Discover Sun Valley: A Brief History and Community Overview

Published: November 18, 2004

Sun Valley is a community located on U.S. Highway 82 about seven miles east of Paris in eastern Lamar County. The development probably began in the early 1970s, and Sun Valley incorporated about 1975 with an estimated population of 200. That figure declined from 76 in 1980 to 60 in 1990. In 2000 the community had a population of 51.

Places:

Communities

The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry.

Laurie E. Jasinski, “Sun Valley, TX,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed May 19, 2026, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/sun-valley-tx.

TID: HNSAM

Original Publication Date:: November 18, 2004

Halley's Comet drops meteorite in northeast Texas

116 years ago today
Irish trader takes citizenship oath

197 years ago today
Indians take captives at Fort Parker

190 years ago today

Shop & Support:

Join TSHA

Support the preservation and sharing of Texas history. Join TSHA today and help keep these valuable historical records free for everyone—while supporting student research, educator resources, and member access to our digital library and publications.

Choose a Membership Level →

Find out more about this place from our Texas Almanac:

Adopt Your Piece of Texas! →

Place

Sun Valley

Currently Exists

Yes

Place Type

Town

USGS ID

2412004

Town Fields

Has post office: No
Is Incorporated: Yes

Belongs to

Lamar County

Coordinates

Latitude: 33.67105350°
Longitude: -95.42875600°

Population Counts

People	Year
60	1990
51	2000
69	2010
82	2019
70	2020
71	2021

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, Texans have a unique opportunity to reflect on the state’s role in the American story. Through exhibitions, programs, educational initiatives, and community events across Texas, Texas America250 encourages celebration, reflection, and commemoration at both local and statewide levels. At the Texas State Historical Association, we are proud to support this important moment through our mission-driven work in history education and public engagement, including Texas History Day, and we invite students, educators, and communities to explore this milestone in meaningful ways.

“

On July 4, 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the greatest nation in the history of the world. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Long may these ideals live in the heart of every Texan and every American. May God bless all who have defended our freedoms that we enjoy each day. And God bless the United States of America.

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

Discover Sun Valley: A Brief History and Community Overview

Is history important to you?

Shop & Support:

Join TSHA

Find out more about this place from our Texas Almanac:

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Find Events

Get Involved

Learn More

Share this entry on social media:

Is history important to you?

Shop & Support:

Join TSHA ×

Find out more about this place from our Texas Almanac:

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Find Events

Get Involved

Learn More

Join TSHA