Cross Plains, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cross Plains, Texas
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Location of Cross Plains, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Callahan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.20 sq mi (3.11 km2) |
| • Land | 1.20 sq mi (3.11 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,736 ft (529 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 899 |
| • Density | 749/sq mi (289.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
76443
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| Area code(s) | 254 |
| FIPS code | 48-17816 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412390 |
Cross Plains is a town in Callahan County, Texas, United States. The population was 899 at the 2020 census, down from 982 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Abilene, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
Cross Plains was once named "Turkey Creek", after the stream that now crosses the town's Treadaway Park. In its early years, Cross Plains had the basic necessities like a store, a cotton gin and gristmill, but little else. Hugh Henry McDermett and J.C. McDermett, early settlers here, petitioned the federal government to establish a post office in Cross Plains. In 1878, the government granted the post office, named "Cross Plains" for the crossings of stagecoach and military roads prior to the Civil War. East and West Caddo Peaks, located 5 miles (8 km) west, were used as landmarks by early Indians, soldiers, and government surveying crews.
The town had one newspaper in 1902 (The Herald), but it soon went out of business. The second paper, The Cross Plains Review, started in 1909 and continues to publish a weekly newspaper every Wednesday. The town moved from the west banks of Turkey Creek to its present site in January 1911, to be closer to the railroad. On January 12, 1911, a train full of prospective land buyers arrived in Cross Plains. Before the day was out, $75,000.00 worth of land had been purchased. Cross Plains was the last stop on the Texas Central Katy Railroad spur from De Leon and Rising Star. The Katy abandoned the spur in the 1940s. An oil boom in 1925 increased the population, and by 1940 it was over 1,200. It has remained hovering around the 1,000 mark for the last 50 years.
2005 wildfire
On December 27, 2005, a grass/range wildfire destroyed 116 homes in and around Cross Plains. On December 29, 2005, the Texas Department of Public Safety listed 85 single family homes, 25 mobile homes and 6 apartment units as being destroyed. An additional 36 homes were damaged. The First United Methodist Church building of Cross Plains was also destroyed. Two people died after being trapped in their houses.
Geography
Cross Plains is located in southeastern Callahan County. State highways 36 and 206 cross in the southern part of town, with Highway 36 leading northwest 45 miles (72 km) to Abilene and southeast 39 miles (63 km) to Comanche, while Highway 206 leads northeast 23 miles (37 km) to Cisco and southwest 27 miles (43 km) to Coleman.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Cross Plains has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), all land.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cross Plains has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 700 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,507 | 115.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,229 | −18.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,305 | 6.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,168 | −10.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,192 | 2.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,240 | 4.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,063 | −14.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,068 | 0.5% | |
| 2010 | 982 | −8.1% | |
| 2020 | 899 | −8.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 789 | 87.76% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Asian (NH) | 1 | 0.11% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 1 | 0.11% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 21 | 2.34% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 78 | 8.68% |
| Total | 899 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 899 people, 477 households, and 294 families residing in the town.
Education
The town is served by the Cross Plains Independent School District and is home to the Cross Plains High School Buffaloes.
In 2004, voters passed a $1.1 million bond package for new classrooms and gymnasium for the Cross Plains Independent School District.
While CPISD has had an average enrollment of approximately 455 students in the 1990s-2000s, an average of 358 students have been enrolled each year since 2010.
Robert E. Howard
The pulp fiction author Robert E. Howard, creator of the character Conan the Barbarian among others, lived in Cross Plains from the age of 13 in 1919 until his death in 1936. His former home in Cross Plains is now a museum. Every year, Cross Plains holds the Robert E. Howard Days and a Barbarian Festival on the second weekend of June.
Major highways
SH 36
SH 206
SH 279
FM 374
FM 880
The fire started 5 miles (8 km) west of the city along Highway 36, and westerly winds of up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) spread the flames into town, burning a total of 7,665 acres (31.0 km2) of land.
The fire spared the nearly century-old house (now a museum) of Robert E. Howard, author of the Conan the Barbarian books.
See also
In Spanish: Cross Plains (Texas) para niños
