May, Texas

Geography

May is situated at the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and FM 1689 in northeastern Brown County, approximately 20 mi north of Brownwood, 28 mi south of Cisco, and 36 mi south of Eastland.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, May has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.

History

The area was originally part of a Mexican land grant given to empresario John Cameron in 1827. The community itself was developed in the 1870s and was named for pioneer settler W.D. May. May's brother, Nathan, opened a store at the site in 1879. A post office was established two years later. In 1907, May had a blacksmith shop, general store, newspaper, and bank.

That same year, the community became a stop on the Brownwood North and South Railway. The line was abandoned in 1927. The population had grown to roughly 500 by 1940 and had several churches and 14 businesses. During the following years, May began to slowly decline. The community was home to around 285 residents by 1980. That figure remained steady through 2000. Although May is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 76857.

May experienced slow growth in population, since the landscape was sandy. The community also had Baptist and Methodist churches.

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1850–1900 1910 1920 1930 1940

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

May first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S. census.

2020 census

Education

The May Independent School District provides public education in the community of May. Before then, May had a school called Old Swayback school.

Notable person

• J.W. Harris, bull rider, moved to May at age 15 and graduated from May High School.

References

References

1. {{GNIS. 1341103
2. "May, Texas". [[The Handbook of Texas]] online.
3. Texas Historical Commission. "Details for the May Community". Texas Historic Sites Atlas.
4. "May, Texas". William Nienke, Sam Morrow.
5. Texas Historical Commission. "Details for May United Methodist Church". Texas Historic Sites Atlas.
6. Texas Historical Commission. "Details for May Cemetery". Texas Historic Sites Atlas.
7. "May, Texas". Texas Escapes Online Magazine.
8. [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=582114&cityname=May%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for May, Texas]
9. "The May Community". Brown County, TXGenWeb.
10. [http://www.zipinfo.com/cgi-local/zipsrch.exe?cnty=cnty&zip=76857 Zip Code Lookup]
11. "Decennial Census by Decade".
12. "1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions".
13. "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas".
14. "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
15. "1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
16. "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
17. "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
18. "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
19. "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
20. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
21. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
22. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
23. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
24. "2020 Geography Changes". [[United States Census Bureau]].
25. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – May CDP, Texas". [[United States Census Bureau]].
26. "Cowboy Biographies – J.W. Harris". www.prorodeo.com.