Crosby, Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Crosby, Texas
Census-designated place
Location in Harris County and the state of Texas
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Harris
Area
• Total	2.3 sq mi (5.9 km2)
• Land	2.3 sq mi (5.9 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	46 ft (14 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,417
• Density	1,490/sq mi (579/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	77532
Area code(s)	281
FIPS code	48-17756
GNIS feature ID	1355392
Website	[1]

Crosby is a small community located in Harris County, Texas, in the United States. It's a place where people live, but it's not officially a city with its own government. In 2020, about 3,417 people called Crosby home.

History of Crosby

Early Days: Lick Skillet

The area where Crosby is now was first settled in 1823. An early settler named Humphrey Jackson arrived from Louisiana. He built a log cabin near the San Jacinto River. This spot was nicknamed "Lick Skillet." The name came from a saying that early travelers would "sip the spring sweet water and lick their skillets clean" there.

Humphrey Jackson was an important person in the early days. He helped create the San Jacinto District. He was also chosen as a local leader several times. Jackson's Bayou, a waterway in the area, is likely named after him.

Railroad and New Names

In 1860, the community was named Gentry. This was after A. M. Gentry, who built a railroad line through the area. This railroad helped the town grow. It became a place where lumber and farm products were shipped and sold.

Later, in 1877, the town's name changed again to Crosby. It was named after Josiah Frasier Crosby, a railroad official. A post office was set up, and by 1884, Crosby had about 50 people, a school, a church, and a general store. The population grew over time, reaching about 900 people by World War II.

A Brief Change to Hope

For a short time in 1953, Crosby changed its name to Hope, Texas. This was part of a fun contest held by comedian Bob Hope. The town wanted to send a girl named Hope to appear on his TV show. The name only lasted for 19 days, from December 19 to 31, before it became Crosby again!

Geography and Climate

Map of Crosby CDP

Crosby is located in Texas, about 22 miles (35 km) east of Houston. It covers an area of about 2.3 square miles (5.9 square kilometers), and all of it is land.

Crosby's Weather

Crosby has a type of weather called a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild and cool.

People of Crosby

Crosby is home to a diverse group of people. Here's a look at the different groups living there in 2020:

In 2020, there were 3,417 people living in Crosby. Many different kinds of families and households make up the community. About 35% of households had children under 18 living there. The average age of people in Crosby was 32 years old.

Crosby Volunteer Fire Department

The Crosby Volunteer Fire Department was started in 1942. It is funded by Harris County Emergency Services District #80. These brave volunteers work to keep the community safe. You can find more information on their website.

Their Mission

The fire department's goal is to protect lives and property. They do this by teaching people about fire safety. They also work to prevent fires and respond to emergencies.

Area They Protect

The Crosby Volunteer Fire Department protects Crosby and Barrett Station. This area covers about 102.8 square miles (266.2 square kilometers). They serve about 30,000 people. The department has five stations, all run by volunteers.

Parks and Recreation

Crosby has several great places for outdoor fun and activities.

Crosby Park and Community Center

This park is located at 419 Hare Road. It's a large area with 46 acres (18.6 hectares) to explore. You'll find two lighted baseball fields and two lighted soccer fields. These fields are cared for by the Crosby Youth Soccer Club. There are also two lighted tennis courts and a basketball pavilion. Kids can enjoy a playground. There's a paved trail that is about 0.726 miles (1.168 km) long. The park also has picnic tables, barbecue grills, and restrooms.

Barrett Station/Riley Chambers Community Center

This center is at 808 Magnolia Ave. It offers restrooms, picnic areas, and a playground. There are also trails, an open shelter, and fields for basketball, baseball, and football.

Crosby Sports Complex

Located at 8600 Miller-Wilson Road, this complex has 12 acres (4.8 hectares). It features two lighted softball fields and four lighted baseball fields. The Crosby Sports Association takes care of the softball fields. There are also picnic tables and restrooms.

Education and Learning

Public Schools

Students in Crosby go to schools in the Crosby Independent School District. Most students attend Crosby Elementary School or Newport Elementary School. Some parts of Crosby are zoned to Barrett Elementary School.

All students in the district can attend Crosby Kindergarten Center, Drew Intermediate, Crosby Middle School, and Crosby High School. In 2007–2008, the district served over 4,800 students.

Private Schools

Crosby also has private schools. These include the Crosby International Academy, which teaches students from kindergarten to 12th grade. There's also the Crosby Christian Academy for infants through elementary school. Sacred Heart Catholic School is another option in Crosby.

Colleges

After high school, residents of Crosby can attend Lee College.

Public Library

Crosby has its own branch of the Harris County Public Library. It's a great place to find books, learn, and use computers.

Local News

If you want to know what's happening in Crosby, you can read the local newspapers:

• Star Courier
• The Lake Houston Sentinel
• The Lake Houston Observer

Getting Around

Harris County Transit provides public transportation services in the area.

See also

In Spanish: Crosby (Texas) para niños