Joshua
Joshua is at the intersection of State Highway 174 and Farm Road 917, on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad seven miles southeast of Burleson and eight miles north of Cleburne in north central Johnson County. It is in the Cross Timbers region on land patented by W. W. Byers in 1867. The section was sold in 1874 to John Powell. Caddo Grove, two miles west of Joshua, was the first community in the area. It had its own post office and was a thriving town until the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway was completed from Cleburne to Fort Worth in 1881. The railroad missed Caddo Grove, and a station was built on the tracks at the site of future Joshua. The station was originally called Caddo Peak, but the name was rejected by the post office because of another Caddo Peak. The name Joshua was chosen, purportedly by Dr. D. B. McMillan, after the biblical Joshua. W. L. West was the first postmaster when the community received a post office in 1882. In 1883 Caddo Grove's post office was withdrawn.
Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.
Lisa C. Maxwell | © Texas State Historical Association
At a Glance
Belongs to
Joshua is part of or belongs to the following places.
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Currently Exists
Yes
Place type
Joshua is classified as a Town
Associated Names
- (Caddo Peak)
- (Clinton)
Locations
-
- Latitude
- 32.46179970
- Longitude
- -97.38164400
Has Post Office
Yes
Is Incorporated
Yes

Joshua by the Numbers
Population Counts
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Population Counts
Joshua
Pop. | Year | Source |
---|---|---|
7,788 | 2019 | Texas Demographic Center |
5,910 | 2010 | Texas Demographic Center |
4,528 | 2000 | Texas Demographic Center |
3,821 | 1990 | Texas Demographic Center |