Robinson

Robinson, on State Highway 77 six miles south of Waco in central McLennan County, came into existence after brothers John and Levi Robinson established homesteads in the area in the early 1850s. The original Robinson home was built on land that later became the J. W. Mann farm. To encourage the growth of the village in 1856, the brothers surveyed 171 acres of land and marked off forty-two four-acre lots for other homesteaders. The Robinsons sponsored the settlement's first school in 1860, when they hired a private tutor for their children. The teacher, Mr. Moore, lived with the Robinson families. From 1879 to 1906, Robinson had its own post office. Postmasters included J. R. Robinson and L. B. Foster, both of whom also operated general stores. In 1885 Robinson had a population of 600 that supported three cotton gins, two churches, three general stores, and a school. J. W. McKee and Sons, a broom factory, was also in operation. In 1888 Rev. John Strauss founded the Robinson Academy. The weekly newspaper was the Robinson Bulletin. By the late 1890s, the population had dropped to 300 despite the continued operation of the broom factory. Three churches were built during the latter years of the nineteenth century-the Baptist church in 1866, the Presbyterian church in 1874, and the German Evangelical Lutheran church in 1884. Social clubs founded in the early twentieth century and still functioning as late as the 1950s included the Merry Robins and the Chatter Club. Robinson was incorporated in 1955. In 1958 its site comprised twelve square miles adjacent to Waco. Business owners organized the chamber of commerce in 1957. By 1960 the population had grown to 2,110. Residents numbered close to 7,000 in 1980. In 1982 the town had its own water system fed by seven artesian wells, as well as its own sewer system. The same year, Robinson had a volunteer fire department, a police department, and a unit of the Texas Department of Public Safety. In 1990 the town was primarily residential. It had a population of 7,111 and numerous small businesses. Although it had a contract post office, residents were served by the Waco postal service. The Robinson Independent School District consisted of a high school, a junior high, and three elementaries. In 2000 the population reached 7,845.

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Annie Scott | © TSHA

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Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.

Belongs to

Robinson is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

Yes

Place type

Robinson is classified as a Town

Location

Latitude: 31.45008030
Longitude: -97.12015400

Has Post Office

No

Is Incorporated

Yes

Population Count, 2021 View more »

12,755