STRAWN, TEXAS

Palo Pinto County, Texas Panhandle / Central Texas North

32°33'2"N 98°29'53"W (32.550502, -98.498122)
Highways 16, 108 and FM 2372
SW of Palo Pinto the county seat
4 miles W of Mingus
6 miles NW of Thurber
45 miles SW of Mineral Wells
13 miles NE of Ranger
23 miles NE of Eastland
Population: 649 Est. (2016)
653(2010) 739 (2000) 709 (1990)

Strawn, Texas Area Hotels:
Eastland Hotels | Mineral Wells Hotels

Bankhead Hotel in Strawn
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson April 2006

History in a Pecan Shell

Strawn was named after local rancher Stephen Strawn. Prior to the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in the early 1880s, the community had been known as North Fork (of Palo Pinto Creek). By 1891 the population was 400.

Oil was discovered near Strawn as early as 1895, but not until the T & P Coal and Oil Company got interested in 1915 did any production begin. Before the end of 1915 Strawn had 20 wells producing. The first natural gas well was drilled in 1924. The Strawn Coal Mining Company was formed and merged with another coal mining company three miles north of Strawn. Between 1910 and 1920 over 1.6 million tons of coal were taken out from the depths of Palo Pinto County to power the locomotives of the T & P.

Strawn incorporated in 1940 when it had a population of 1,107. It fell below 700 in 1980 and has slowly grown to the current 739.

Bankhead Hotel for sale
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson April 2006

Strawn City Hall

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson April 2006

Post Office in Strawn

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson April 2006

St. John Catholic Church

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson April 2006

Strawn Texas Feature Stories

Loveras' Market
On Highwy 16
Photos courtesy Cathy Brown

Robinson School
Six mile N of Strawn
Photos courtesy Stephen Taylor

Delightful Detour by Billy B. Smith

"The sixteen-mile delightful detour [through Gordon, Mingus and Strawn] reminds me that there once was another America, a wistful place full of pleasant and pensive scenery..." more

Strawn Texas Forum

I understand that my great-grandfather was Stephen Strawn who founded [Strawn, Texas]. My uncle took some photos of Strawn in the 1950's when he visited. (I have them somewhere.) I also have some documents on the Strawn family and wonder how I might get in touch with someone in Strawn, Texas? My letter attempts in the 1980's went unanswered. I wonder if any Strawn relatives still live nearby to the town. They might be interested in copies of the family documents I have. - Stephen Strawn, Humboldt County, California, March 22, 2007

Take a road trip

Strawn, Texas Nearby Towns:
Palo Pinto the county seat
Mingus
Thurber
Mineral Wells
Ranger
Eastland
See Palo Pinto County

Texas Panhandle | Central Texas North

Book Hotel Here:
Eastland Hotels | Mineral Wells Hotels | More Hotels

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.