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Bryson, Texas
Downtown Bryson
Downtown Bryson
Country United States
State Texas
County Jack
Area
 • Total 1.43 sq mi (3.69 km2)
 • Land 1.32 sq mi (3.41 km2)
 • Water 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2)
Elevation
1,247 ft (380 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 430
 • Density 301/sq mi (116.5/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
76427
Area code(s) 940
FIPS code 48-10960
GNIS feature ID 1331472

Bryson is a city in Jack County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 430.

Population Sign of Bryson, TX
The population sign in 2016

Geography

Bryson is located in western Jack County at 33°9′38″N 98°23′16″W / 33.16056°N 98.38778°W / 33.16056; -98.38778 (33.160523, –98.387805). It is situated 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Jacksboro, the county seat, along U.S. Highway 380. US 380 continues southwest 13 miles (21 km) to Graham, the county seat of Young County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bryson has a total area of 9,100 acres (3,700 ha), of which 8,400 acres (3,400 ha) are land and 300 ha (741.3 acres), or 7.64%, are water. The water area encompasses Lake Bryson, a reservoir 2.5 miles (4.0 km) northwest of the city. Bryson is in the Rock Creek watershed, flowing south to the Brazos River.

Henry Bryson, first resident of Bryson, Tx
Henry Bryson, the first resident of Bryson
City Park Sign in Bryson, TX
The sign in City Park
The only light in Bryson
The only traffic light in Bryson

History

The community was first settled in the late 19th century. Originally known as "Mount Hecla", a post office opened under that name in 1878. Henry Bryson built the area's first residence, a log cabin, that same year. The community was later renamed after him. This change was officially recognized in 1884, when the local post office took the name "Bryson". Mr. Bryson went on to serve as County Commissioner. Early pioneer family names of Bryson were Blount, Chambers, Clayton, Cook, Crumpton, Cullers, Enlow, Epperson, Henderson, Keyser, Kuykendall, McCloud, Moore, Raley, Shanafelt and Vanhooser.

Bryson Log Cabin
The Henry Bryson Log Cabin

The Chicago, Rock Island and Texas Railway, a subsidiary of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, reached Bryson in the fall of 1902. Although oil had been discovered in Jack County as early as 1898, it wasn't until the mid-1920s that Bryson became an oil processing center for local producers. The resulting population boom led to the community being known as Jack County's "second city" (after Jacksboro).

On June 6, 1929, the town incorporated a mayor-council form of government. Men who served there include B.B. Bryson, Sam Cullers, L.O. Moore, J.R. Clayton, Willis Williams, and Williard Schlitter. The town had a population of 641 in the 1930 census. A 1938 oil boom in Bryson hepled the population explode, with many people forced to live in tents. In 1940, the census dropped back to 806. As oil production declined, so did the population. The low point occurred in 1970, when only 455 people lived within the city limits. During the latter half of the 20th century, Bryson slowly grew to over 500 residents. In 1988, seven businesses were serving the community. Reportedly, 22 businesses were in Bryson as of 2004.

Bryson ISD
Bryson ISD built in 2012

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1930 641
1940 806 25.7%
1950 588 −27.0%
1960 545 −7.3%
1970 455 −16.5%
1980 579 27.3%
1990 520 −10.2%
2000 528 1.5%
2010 539 2.1%
2020 430 −20.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Bryson racial composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 373 86.74%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 3 0.7%
Asian (NH) 2 0.47%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 9 2.09%
Hispanic or Latino 43 10.0%
Total 430

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 430 people, 278 households, and 197 families residing in the city.

Education

The city is served by the Bryson Independent School District.

In 1875, the first school was started at a log cabin and was named "Cottonwood". As its population grew, its log cabin school was replaced with a frame building, which was later replaced by a two-story building. In 1885, the school was renamed "Bryson Academy" with two new instructors named J.T. Lippard, and C.B Hickman. In 1905, the two-story frame was turned into a brick structure for elementary and high school. In 1938, the school built a gym. Later, a new high school was built and the old brick building was turned into an AG shop. In 1957, a new elementary school building was built. In 2012, the old school was razed and a new school was raised.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bryson (Texas) para niños

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