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History
in a Pecan Shell
In 1885, shortly after Fisher County was organized,
a dispute arose between business partners from Mississippi and a town called Fisher.
Both wanted their land to host the courthouse. One of the partners was a man named
D.C. Roby, and the town of Fisher is now called North Roby, so one can assume
the result.
The following year the county’s first courthouse was built,
and a school and post office opened. In 1890 the population was estimated to be
300 people and the town had a hotel, restaurant and a newspaper.
Being
a peaceful place, Roby didn’t have the need of a jail until 1892 when they built
one of stone. By 1900 the population had grown to over 700 residents.
Roby received its first railroad in 1907 (The Texas Central) and in 1915 the Roby
and Northern laid 4.4-miles of track to connect Roby proper with North Roby. In
1930 the population was 801. It actually increased during the Great Depression
– reaching 904 for the 1940 Census. The Roby and Northern line was scrapped during
WWII and its rails went
to the war effort.
The population peaked in 1950 with 1,040 people calling
Roby and North Roby home. The city was plagued by insufficient water throughout
its life and finally in 1953 during a long period of drought, water from Oak Creek
Lake was piped in. By 1970 the population was down to less than 800 and over the
years it has slowly declined to the present 673 (2000).
See
Fisher County Courthouses > |
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The
1926 Fisher County jail on the courthouse square is still in use today.
Photo
Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, August 2006 | |
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