Roby, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Roby, Texas
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Roby, Texas

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mapsize1 = 250px
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Fisher

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
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established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 1.9
area_land_km2 = 1.9
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 0.7
area_land_sq_mi = 0.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 673
population_density_km2 = 361.4
population_density_sq_mi = 936.1

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 598
elevation_ft = 1962
latd = 32 |latm = 44 |lats = 41 |latNS = N
longd = 100 |longm = 22 |longs = 52 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 79543
area_code = 325
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-62612GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1375773GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Roby is a city in Fisher County, Texas, United States. The population was 673 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Fisher CountyGR|6.

Geography

Roby is located at coor dms|32|44|41|N|100|22|52|W|city (32.744839, -100.381100)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.9 km²), all of it land. Roby has a convenience store, farm store, and not much else. It hosts a multitude of cotton fields. Mistletoe grows abundantly in the area. As of 2007, Roby has three cafes (Silver Star, Roby Cafe and Grace's), two gas station/convenience stores (Wes-T-Go and Country Market), one cotton gin (Terry's, Inc.), one motel (Roby Motel), one B&B / Lodge (Charlie's), one realestate office (Williamson-Branson), one bank (1st National of Sweetwater/Roby/Trent), one antique store (Old West Antiques), one flea market (Bargain Center), oneused clothing store, two tire shops (CJJ's and Bimbo's), one mechanic garage, Post Office, Clinic, Court House, Sheriff's Office, Jail, USDA Agriculture Station, one car wash / detailing shop, one community swimming pool, one farm store (T & K Ag Center), Big Country Electric Cooperative, three churches (Methodist, Baptist and Church of Christ), title company (Fisher/Jones Title Co.), one beauty salon (Wynelle's), a youth center, and public school kindergarten through 12.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 673 people, 264 households, and 175 families residing in the city. The population density was 936.1 people per square mile (360.9/km²). There were 312 housing units at an average density of 434.0/sq mi (167.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.18% White, 3.27% African American, 0.45% Native American, 8.32% from other races, and 1.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.14% of the population.

There were 264 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone Hello FWPA who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,031, and the median income for a family was $34,632. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $19,286 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,926. About 14.8% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

History

In 1885, shortly after Fisher County was organized, a dispute arose between business partners from Mississippi and a town called Fisher. Both wanted their land to host the courthouse. The parners were M.L. and D.C. Roby, and the town of Fisher is now called North Roby, so one can assume the result.

In 1886, construction was begun on the new courthouse and a school and post office opened. The community had thirteen houses by that summer. In 1890 the population was estimated to be 300 people and the town had a hotel, two general stores, Baptist and Methodist churches, a restaurant and a weekly newspaper, the Fisher County Call.

Being a peaceful place, Roby didn’t have the need of a jail until 1892 when they built one of stone. A new jail was built in 1926 out of brick, and is still in use as of 2008. It has had three different court houses during its existence, unlike many Texas county seats which have preserved and restored original court houses. The most recent court house was built in 1972, and is strikingly modern in comparison to those found in many Texas counties.

In 1898 the first bank was chartered and the Roby school district was formed. The area covered by the school district grew slowly over the years as it absorbed rural schools in the vicinity.

By 1900 the population had grown to 712 residents. By 1914 it had Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Nazarene churches. Telephone service was also established as of 1914.

Roby received its first railroad in 1907 (The Texas Central) and in 1915 the Roby and Northern laid 4.4-miles of track to connect Roby proper with North Roby. In 1930 the population was 801. It actually increased during the Great Depression – reaching 904 for the 1940 Census. The Roby and Northern line was scrapped during World War II and its rails went to the war effort.

Roby incorporated in 1915, and its population grew to 801 in 1930 and 904 in 1940. The population peaked in 1950 with 1,040 people calling Roby and North Roby home and sixty businesses. The city was plagued by insufficient water throughout its life and finally in 1953 during a long period of drought, water from Oak Creek Lake at Blackwell was piped in. By 1970 the population was down to less than 800 (784) and twenty-two businesses in operation. Over the years it has slowly declined to 616 in 1990 and the present 673 (2000).

The Roby 43

43 lucky residents of Roby, Texas put $10 each in a lottery pool in 1996 and won the $50,000,000 jackpot on Thanksgiving of that year, making 6-7% percent of the population millionaires instantly.

Education

The City of Roby is served by the Roby Consolidated Independent School District.

References

External links

* [http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasTowns/Roby-Texas-Fisher-County-Courthouse.htm History of Roby Court Houses]
* [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/RR/hlr28.html Handbook of Texas Online]