History of Howe, TX

The first settlers in the area of the area arrived during the time of the Texas Revolution. It is thought that the last Indian battle in Grayson County was fought in the area in 1843. The area that would be known as Howe was originally known as Summit due to being the highest point between the Red River and the Gulf of Mexico.

History of Howe

The first people to settle in the area that was to become Howe, TX were Jabes and Harriet Hanning and Jabe’s brother John. They were able to settle in the area due to land grants through the Peter’s colony. The Peter’s colony was a North Texas empresario grant made in 1841 by the Republic of Texas to twenty American and English investors led by William S. Peters. 

The Houston and Texas Central Railway came through the area in 1973 and built a railway switch in Summit. This led to a post office, a general store, and a saloon being built. Once those businesses were there, houses started to be built around the area and the town started to really develop. 

In 1876 the town decided to change the name of the train depot, the post office, and of course the town to the city of Howe, Texas. It was named after F. M. Howe who worked for the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. Naming towns after those who worked or operated the railroads was very common. In 1884 Howe was incorporated and George M. McCrary was the town’s first mayor. 

The town was well known for being a major grain shipping center and became the home of Red Rust-Proof Oats. Many seed companies had their start in the town. A Farmer’s Alliance Cooperative Association started in the town due to the large number of grain farmers in the area. By 1914, Howe had also added three grain elevators to its agricultural center. 

Howe has never stopped being a booming agricultural center however, it has added some more industries under its belt. Some oil has been produced within the area. And by 1991 they added a hydraulics company, a shirt manufacturing company as well as makers of plastic, electronics, and agricultural equipment. 

Demographics of Howe, Texas

The population of Howe was reported to be about 521 in 1904. It grew to 680 in the 1960s. In the 1980s the population grew rapidly and reached over 2,000 by 1990. In 2000 the population of Howe, Texas was 2,478. 

The median household income of the town is $34,963, and the median family income is $41,125. The population of the town is 31.9% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age of the town is 31 years old. 

At the time of the 2000 Census, there were 2,478 people, 924 households, and 693 families residing in the town. The average household size in Howe was 2.68, and the average family size was 3.14.