May, Texas

May is an unincorporated community in Brown County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 285 in 2000.[1] May was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1981, with marker number 5377.[2][3] In 2001, historical marker 12532 was added for May United Methodist Church, commemorating the church's presence in the community for over 100 years.[4] The May Cemetery was designated an Historic Texas Cemetery in 2016.[5]

Geography

May is located at 31°58′47″N 98°55′12″W (31.9795899, -98.9200555). It is situated at the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and FM 1689 in northeastern Brown County, about 20 miles (32 km) north of Brownwood and 36 miles (58 km) south of Eastland.[6]

History

The area was originally part of a Mexican land grant given to empresario John Cameron in 1827.[2][7] 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 a bank.[7]

That same year, the community became a stop on the Brownwood North and South Railway.[6] The line was abandoned in 1927. The population had grown to roughly 500 by 1940. 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.[1] Although May is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 76857.[8]

Education

Public education in the community of May is provided by the May Independent School District.

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.[9]

References
  1. "May, Texas". The Handbook of Texas online. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  2. Texas Historical Commission. "Details for the May Community". Texas Historic Sites Atlas. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  3. "May, Texas". Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on August 24, 2014.
  4. Texas Historical Commission. "Details for May United Methodist Church". Texas Historic Sites Atlas. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  5. Texas Historical Commission. "Details for May Cemetery". Texas Historic Sites Atlas. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  6. "May, Texas". Texas Escapes Online Magazine. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  7. "The May Community". Brown County, TXGenWeb. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  8. Zip Code Lookup
  9. Climate Summary for May, Texas
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