Zephyr, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zephyr, Texas
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 Zephyr, Texas
Location in Texas
Zephyr, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Brown |
| Elevation | 1,519 ft (463 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 325 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1350730 |
Zephyr is a small place in Brown County, Texas, United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. In 2000, about 198 people lived there.
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Where is Zephyr Located?
Zephyr is found in the southeastern part of Brown County. It sits along U.S. Highway 84. This highway helps connect Zephyr to other towns. It's about 12 miles east of Brownwood. Zephyr is also 42 miles east of Coleman. And it's about 54 miles southwest of Stephenville.
A Look at Zephyr's Past
Zephyr started near Blanket Creek in 1850. Land surveyors gave it the name "Zephyr." This word means a soft, gentle wind. They chose it after being stuck in the area during a very cold "blue norther" storm.
Early Settlers and Growth
In 1863, the Lazarus Vann family moved to the area. Other families soon joined them. Zephyr's first store opened in 1878. A post office was set up the next year.
The Railroad and a New Location
In 1885, a railroad line was built. It connected Brownwood to Lampasas. But the tracks missed Zephyr by about a mile. So, the store owner, J.M. Wilson, moved his store and the post office. They went one mile west to where Zephyr is now. The community then became a stop on the railroad.
The 1909 Tornado
On May 30, 1909, a very strong tornado hit Zephyr. It was an F4 tornado, which is very powerful. The storm killed 34 people and hurt 70 others. Most of the deaths happened in homes on the south and east sides of town. This tornado is still one of the deadliest in Texas history.
Rebuilding and Changes
After the tornado, the community rebuilt itself. Zephyr grew for a long time. By 1940, about 750 people lived there. The town's economy relied on growing cotton. But tiny insects called boll weevils damaged the cotton. Also, market conditions got worse. Because of this, the last cotton gin in Zephyr closed in the early 1940s.
The population dropped below 300 in the 1960s. It stayed around that number into the 1970s. By the end of the 1900s, Zephyr had about 198 people and two businesses. This number was still the same in 2000. In 1989, Zephyr had First Baptist, Methodist, and Churches of Christ. It was a community focused on farming and ranching.
Zephyr still has a post office. Its zip code is 76890.
Zephyr's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 179 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 |
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Zephyr was first counted as a special "census designated place" in the 2020 U.S. Census. This means the Census Bureau officially recognized it as a specific area for counting people.
Learning in Zephyr
Zephyr's first school opened in 1876. A new school building was built in 1940. It was used until the late 1980s.
Public Schools
The Zephyr Independent School District provides public education for kids in Zephyr. This district has one main campus. It includes Zephyr Elementary School (for Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade), Zephyr Junior High (for 6th to 8th grade), and Zephyr High School (for 9th to 12th grade). The community chose to have its own school district. This way, the small number of students living there would not have to travel to another school far away.
Cross Classical Academy
In 2009, Mandi Moore worked with Joyce Baker to create Cross Classical Academy. Joyce Baker was a school board member in the community.
