Taylor

Taylor is at the intersections of the Missouri Pacific and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas lines and State Highway 95 and U.S. Highway 79, in southeastern Williamson County. In 1876 the Texas Land Company auctioned lots in anticipation of the arrival of the International-Great Northern Railroad. Taylorsville (which officially became Taylor in 1892) was named after Edward Moses Taylor, a railroad official. An influx of settlers from Czechoslovakia and other Slavic states, as well as from Germany and Austria, helped establish the town. It soon became a busy shipping point for cattle, grain, and cotton. By 1878 the town had 1,000 residents and thirty-two businesses, twenty-nine of which were destroyed by fire in 1879. Recovery was rapid, however, and more substantial buildings were constructed. In 1882 the Taylor, Bastrop and Houston Railway reached the community, and machine shops and a roundhouse serviced both rail lines. In 1882 the town was incorporated with a mayor-council form of city government, and in 1883 a public school system replaced a number of private schools. By 1890 Taylor had two banks and the first savings and loan institution in Texas. An electric company, a cotton compress, and several newspapers were among the new enterprises. A water line from the San Gabriel River, a 100-man volunteer fire department, imported and local entertainment, and a yearly fair made noteworthy news items by 1900.

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.

Belongs to

Taylor is part of or belongs to the following places.

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Currently Exists

Yes

Place type

Taylor is classified as a Town

Associated Names

  • [-sville]

Locations

  • Latitude
    30.57350340
    Longitude
    -97.42153900

Has Post Office

Yes

Is Incorporated

Yes

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Taylor by the Numbers

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Population Counts

Taylor
Pop. Year Source
16,267 2020 United States Census Bureau
17,597 2019 Texas Demographic Center
15,191 2010 United States Census Bureau
13,575 2000 United States Census Bureau
11,472 1990 United States Census Bureau
10,619 1980 United States Census Bureau
9,616 1970 United States Census Bureau
9,434 1960 United States Census Bureau
9,071 1950 United States Census Bureau
7,875 1940 United States Census Bureau
7,463 1930 United States Census Bureau
5,965 1920 United States Census Bureau
5,314 1910 United States Census Bureau
4,211 1900 United States Census Bureau
2,584 1890 United States Census Bureau