Crosby, Texas

Map of Crosby CDP

Crosby is located at 29°54′38″N 95°03′39″W (29.910577, −95.060882).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²), all of it land.

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 colonists to settle Texas.[5] 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)[6] moved to Texas from Louisiana in September 1823 and built a log cabin outside Austin's colony on the San Jacinto River, 0.5 miles (800 m) 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.

Near what is now the Southern Pacific Railroad, the town was named for G.J. Crosby, a railroad construction engineer. In 1861, the Sabine and Galveston Bay Railroad and Lumber Company installed tracks through this site.[7] 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 post office was established in 1877. In 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.[8] World War II brought the population to over 900, and the population continued to grow.

The site south of Highway 90 is historical Barrett Station.[9] Barrett's Settlement was founded by Harrison Barrett (1845–1917) and has been registered in the Texas Family Land Heritage as Texas Century Farm. Born into slavery, Barrett was the son of Simon and Lisa Barrett who came to Texas from Louisiana. He had two brothers and two sisters.

Following the emancipation of Texas slaves in 1865, Barrett spent several years gathering his family together. He eventually found all of them except one sister, and they settled on land east of the San Jacinto River. He purchased this land in 1889 and began a community that later would be known as Barrett's Settlement. Beginning with seven houses, the community grew to include additional homes, farms, and businesses. Barrett established a school, church, and cemetery. After a post office station was opened there in 1947, the area became known as Barrett Station. Harrison Barrett's homestead, twice rebuilt by his descendants, stands on its original location.

As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 2,299 people. As of the 2000 census, there were 662 households, and 464 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 758.2 people per square mile (292.8/km,²). There were 743 housing units at an average density of 328.7 per square mile (126.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 74.15% White, 12.72% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 10.79% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.38% of the population.

There were 666 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,508, and the median income for a family was $41,458. Males had a median income of $37,244 versus $25,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,851. About 9.2% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.

The community is within Harris County Precinct 2. As of 2012 Jack Morman is the head of the precinct. The precinct operates the Crosby Community Center at 409 Hare Road.[10]

The community is served by the Harris County Sheriff's Office.[11]

Crosby Volunteer Fire Department, funded by Harris County Emergency Services District #80, was formed in 1942. Their official website is crosbyvfd.org.

Harris County Transit operates public transportation.[12]

Crosby is served by the Crosby Branch of Harris County Public Library, adjacent to and outside of the CDP.[15]

• Crosby/Huffman Chamber of Commerce[16]
• Crosby Fair & Rodeo[17]
• Crosby Youth Soccer Club[18]

• Star Courier[19]
• The Lake Houston Sentinel[20]
• The Lake Houston Observer[21]

Crosby Park and Crosby Community Center are located at 419 Hare Road. It is a 46 acres (190,000 m²) facility with two lighted baseball fields, two lighted soccer fields maintained by Crosby Youth Soccer Club.[22] two lighted tennis courts, one basketball pavilion, a playground, paved trail of 0.726 miles (1.2 km), picnic tables, barbecue grills, a barbecue pavilion, and restrooms.

The Barrett Station/Riley Chambers Community Center is located at 808 Magnolia Ave. Facilities include restrooms, picnic, playground, trails, open shelter, basketball, baseball, riding arena, and football fields.[23]

Crosby Sports Complex is located at 8600 Miller-Wilson Road. It is a 12 acres (49,000 m²) facility with 2 lighted softball fields, 4 lighted baseball fields, picnic tables, and restrooms. Crosby Sports Complex softball fields are maintained by the Crosby Sports Association.[24]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Crosby has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[25]

• Texas Directory: Crosby
• Crosby, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online