Crosby is a census-designated place in Harris County, Texas, United States. Its population was 3,417 at the 2020 census.
History
The site north of U.S. Route 90 (according to some) was an encampment nicknamed Lick Skillet in 1823 by Humphrey Jackson, one of the 300 original Anglo colonists to settle Texas. The name "Lick Skillet" came from the phrase, "The East Texas oxen team drivers sipped the spring sweet water and licked their skillets clean."
Humphrey Jackson (1784–1833) moved to Texas from Louisiana in September 1823, and built a log cabin outside Austin's colony on the San Jacinto River, west of the site of present-day Crosby. On August 16, 1824, the Baron de Bastrop granted him title to a league and a labor of land, including the place where he had settled, in what is now Harris County. Jackson next petitioned the Mexican government to form the San Jacinto District under control of the Austin colony; he was elected alcalde of the new district in 1824, 1825, and 1827, and served as ex officio militia captain of the San Jacinto area. Jackson was buried at Crosby. Jackson's Bayou in eastern Harris County is probably named for him.
In 1860, the town was named Gentry after President of the Sabine and Galveston Bay Railroad and Lumber Company, A. M. Gentry who constructed the 41 miles of railroad from Houston to Liberty in what was called the Texas and New Orleans Railroad, Texas Division. The first general store was built in 1865 by Charlie Karcher, and thereafter the town would become a shipping and retail center for lumber and agricultural products.
The railroad was eventually taken over by the Southern Pacific Railroad and rebuilt. The platform that had been built with a sign showing the name "Gentry" was located and a new depot built. In 1877, the town was renamed by former judge, state representative, legislator, and vice president of the railroad, Josiah Frasier Crosby, and a post office was established. By 1884, Crosby reported a population of 50, a school, a Baptist church, and a general store. In 1905, it had one school with four teachers and 122 students. As of 1929, the population was about 600, but the Great Depression reduced this number by half. World War II brought the population to over 900, and the population continued to grow.
For a brief 19 days in 1953 (from December 19 to 31), the town of Crosby briefly changed its name to Hope, Texas, to participate in a contest conducted by comedian Bob Hope. Reported in a news transcript from WBAP-TV in Fort Worth, Texas; "Hope recently announced that he would like to have a pretty girl from every city in the nation named Hope to appear on his television show next Tuesday. Maine, Rhode Island, Michigan, Kansas, and Indiana are sending representatives, so the folks in Crosby decided they'de [sic] get into the act. The result: they changed the town's name to Hope and set about naming a queen. The town will keep its new name until New Years Day, then it will become Crosby, Texas, again."
Geography
thumb|Map of Crosby CDP
Crosby is located at (29.910577, −95.060882).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all land, which is located north of the historical Barrett Station.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Crosby has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.