Cross Plains, Texas
Town in the United States in Callahan County
About Cross Plains
Cross Plains is a town in Callahan County, Texas, United States. The population was 899 at the 2020 census, down from 982 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Abilene, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Cross Plains is governed
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Cross Plains
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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- Website
- crossplainstx.com
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Population over time
From 982 in 2010 to 899 in 2020 (−8.5%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 899 |
| 2010 | 982 |
History
Cross Plains was settled in the late 19th century and was known as Turkey Creek and Schleicher before a post office opened in 1877 under the name Cross Plains. The town experienced rapid growth in the 1880s, going from 25 people in 1880 to 175 by 1885. The population was 600 in 1911, the year the town was incorporated. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad was built through the town in 1912, which, combined with the discovery of oil near the city in 1925, led to a business boom. The population surpassed 1,200 by 1940 and remained stable until declining after the 1970s.
The Cross Plains City Council voted to disband the city police department in June 2026 after a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement investigation found that the department failed to meet state safety standards.
2005 wildfire
On December 27, 2005, a grass/range wildfire destroyed 116 homes in and around Cross Plains. On December 29, 2005, the Texas Department of Public Safety listed 85 single family homes, 25 mobile homes and 6 apartment units as being destroyed. An additional 36 homes were damaged. The First United Methodist Church building of Cross Plains was also destroyed. Two people died after being trapped in their houses.
The fire started 5 miles (8 km) west of the city along Highway 36, and westerly winds of up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) spread the flames into town, burning a total of 7,665 acres (31.0 km2) of land.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.