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.

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 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.

The fire started west of the city along Highway 36, and westerly winds of up to spread the flames into town, burning a total of of land.

The fire spared the nearly century-old house (now a museum) of Robert E. Howard, author of the Conan the Barbarian books.

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 to Abilene and southeast to Comanche, while Highway 206 leads northeast to Cisco and southwest to Coleman.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Cross Plains has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2020 census

{| class="wikitable"

|+Cross Plains racial composition<br> (NH = Non-Hispanic)

!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.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000,

Robert E. Howard

thumb|The [[Robert E. Howard Museum, former home of the author]]

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

  • 32px SH 36
  • 32px SH 206
  • 32px SH 279
  • 32px FM 374
  • 32px FM 880

Notes

References

  • City of Cross Plains official website
  • CrossPlains.com
  • Handbook of Texas
  • Barbarian Festival