Marquez is a city in Leon County, Texas, situated in the gently rolling farmland of central-eastern Texas, at the junction of U.S. Highway 79 and State Highway 7 about 16 miles west of the county seat of Centerville. It is a very small community, with a 2020 population of just 181 residents, and functions as a quiet rural settlement rather than a commercial center. The town's origins are tied to the railroad. Marquez was laid out in 1871 as a station on the International-Great Northern Railroad and named for María de la Marquez, on whose land grant the townsite was established. The Missouri Pacific Railroad later served the community, and the rail corridor remains part of its geography. Agriculture and livestock formed the early economy, and in the twentieth century oil and gas production became the county's most important source of nonfarm revenue, with drilling activity continuing in the area today. Leon County's broader economy rests on farming, ranching, timber, and energy, and Marquez sits within that working landscape. Students attend the Leon Independent School District, based in nearby Jewett, which serves Marquez, Jewett, and the surrounding countryside through two campuses. The community's name is pronounced "mar-KAY," and its small-town character reflects its origins as a rural railroad stop rather than a growing suburban center, with modest homes and wide lots giving it a spread-out, unhurried feel. For recreation, Leon County offers Fort Boggy State Park and Lake Limestone, both within reach for camping, fishing, and boating, while Centerville and Jewett provide the nearest commercial and governmental services. Marquez appeals to those seeking an affordable, rural, small-town setting with deep agricultural roots and proximity to the Brazos River valley and East Texas's outdoor attractions.