Let’s Find Out How These 10 West Texas Towns Got Their Name

The Hidden History Behind Abilene and Its Surrounding Towns

Abilene has a rich history, but the stories of the surrounding towns and communities might be even more fascinating. Many of these places have names rooted in unique, sometimes humorous, origins. Here’s a look at how some of these towns and communities got their names.

Special thanks to local historian and friend Jay Moore for sharing valuable insights into these fascinating stories.

Caps, Texas: A Toss of a Hat

The community of Caps was originally called Borders Chapel, named after an acre of land given as a wedding gift to Ira and Anna Borders in 1882. However, in 1905, the U.S. Postal Service requested a name change. Lacking a better idea, a townsman threw his cap in the air and suggested naming it “Caps.” The name stuck. Thankfully, he didn’t toss a dried cow patty, or it might have been named something much less appealing.

View, Texas: A Changing Landscape

The Santa Fe Railway named the town of View because, at the time, one could see vast West Texas ranches and farmland from almost anywhere in the community. However, thanks to the growth of cedar, oak, and mesquite trees, that once-grand view has significantly diminished.

Blair, Texas: A Namesake Town

Just southwest of Merkel, the small community of Blair was named after one of its residents, Watt Blair. Not much remains of this once-thriving settlement today.

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Tye, Texas: A Postmaster’s Legacy

Originally called Tebo Switch, this town was renamed in 1901 to honor its first postmaster, John P. Tye, who also happened to be a Methodist circuit-riding preacher.

Hamby, Texas: The Crossroads Community

Hamby, which touches the corners of Taylor, Callahan, Jones, and Shackelford counties, was once called Corners, Texas. But once again, the Postal Service played a role in renaming the town after its postmaster, Hamby Richardson.

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Trent, Texas: A Railroad Mix-Up

The Texas & Pacific Railroad mistakenly swapped site signs, leading to Trent being named after Isaac Riley Trent, who never actually lived there. It was originally supposed to be called Oscoda, while the Fisher County community of Oscoda was meant to be named Truant. That mix-up became permanent.

Merkel, Texas: Windmill Town’s Hidden Code

Merkel was first known as Windmill Town before being renamed after one of its earliest residents, S.M. Merkel. A commemorative windmill still stands next to the railroad tracks. Interestingly, Merkel's original streets hold a hidden message. The streets north of the railroad, Marion, El Paso, Ronalds, Cant, Edwards, and Lamar, spell out "MERKEL." South of the railroad, the streets Trundy, Ash, Yucca, Locust, Oak, and Rose spell "TAYLOR," the name of the county Merkel resides in.

Potosi, Texas: A Mexican Connection?

In 1893, Bob Pollard applied for a post office and chose the name Potosi, a shortened form of San Luis Potosí, a city in Mexico. The reason behind this choice remains unknown.

Ovalo, Texas: A Valley’s Name

Located in southern Taylor County, the community of Ovalo got its name from the Spanish word for oval, describing the valley near Bald Eagle Mountain.

Tuscola, Texas: A Doctor's Hometown Tribute

Dr. Cash, a local physician, named the town of Tuscola after his hometown of Tuscola, Illinois.

Wylie, Texas: From Clabber Hill to a School District

Before becoming Wylie, the community was known as Klondike due to an early bloom season and was later called Clabber Hill. In 1915, Mary Wylie donated land for a school, which was named after her husband, J.J. Wylie. The surrounding area soon took on the Wylie name as well. Today, the Wylie Independent School District has absorbed several other small communities, including Potosi, Fairview, Neil, Cedar Creek, Butterfield, and Iberis. Iberis itself once had a small crossroads community, but now only a road and cemetery bear its name.

Abilene’s DIP Street?

While Abilene’s city naming is relatively straightforward, one street has a unique personal connection. Near the end of Butternut Street at Treadaway, there’s a big yellow sign that says "DIP." My wife swears the city named it after me. And yes, I’ve proudly taken pictures with it several times.

These are just a few of the fascinating and sometimes funny stories behind the names of the towns and communities surrounding Abilene. With so much history packed into this region, who knows what other hidden gems are waiting to be discovered?