1849Military
The name was taken from Fort Gates, which had been established in 1849 approximately five miles to the west.
1854Government
=== Climate ===
== History ==
Gatesville was established in 1854 on land donated by Richard G.
1882Infrastructure
Louis Railway, with the town having been reached in 1882.
1949Government
The division, formerly known as Medical Plastics Laboratories, Inc., was founded in 1949 by three Gatesville doctors.
1975Architecture
Patrick O'Daniel Unit (then Mountain View Unit) opened in July 1975, Crain opened in August 1980, Hilltop opened in November 1981, and Hughes opened in January 1990.
1980Crime
The population doubled from 1980 to 2010 with to the establishment of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prisons.
1995Architecture
The Murray Unit opened in November 1995, and the Woodman Unit opened in June 1997.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the census of 2000, 15,591 people, 2,640 households, and 1,752 families resided in the city.
2001Government
In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature designated Gatesville the "Spur Capital of Texas".
2012Crime
As of 2012, the prisons in the Gatesville area employ 2,600 people.