Argyle, Texas
Encyclopedia
Argyle is a city in Denton County
, Texas
, United States, with a population of 2,365 as of the 2000 census
. The master-planned community of Lantana, Texas
(estimated population 6,000 as of May 2008) shares the Argyle mailing address.
in 1875, a Baptist
church in 1876 and a post office
in 1878. The community was formally founded and renamed Argyle in 1881 by, after the Texas and Pacific railroad built a track through the area. Some believe a railroad surveyor named the town after a garden in France. However others believe the town to be named after Argyll Scotland. Also around this time was when Sam Bass an infamous outlaw who stole $60,000 in gold coins from the Union Pacific Railroad was rumored to have stashed the gold in a cave. Sam Bass died when he was 27 and it was rumored he never lived to retrieve the gold, so to this day it is believed to be somewhere in the hills surrounding the town.
Growth was very slow during the nineteenth century, and by 1890 Argyle only had a population of 148. The town did boast several agriculture
-related industries, such as grist mills, general stores, and a cotton gin
. In 1885 Argyle built a two-story brick school, and population grew until it reached 238 in 1930. A bank was also established in 1906, a little red brick building with a drugstore in the front. The bank wasn't around long before it was robbed in 1912. The robbers made away with $1700 and were never caught. No one knows for sure who did it but rumors have included Jesse James, the Dalton Brothers, the Story's or the Chadwick Gang. Electricity and telephone service became available in the mid-1930s.
The Great Depression
took its toll on the Argyle area, and population declined to only ninety in 1950. Argyle incorporated as a separate city on September 19, 1960, with M.H. Wilson as the first mayor. Gradually the town grew in population as more people from the Dallas-Fort Worth area discovered its rural charm. By the 1970s a number of retail establishments were located in Argyle, and the population reached 1,575 in 1990. The most recent Census Bureau estimate is that Argyle's population has doubled from that figure to 3,162 (2006). The high rate of growth is expected to continue as part of the general development of northern areas in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 11.1 square miles (28.7 km²), of which, 11.1 square miles (28.7 km²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.
of 2009, there were 3,365 people, 787 households, and 694 families residing in the city. The population density
was 212.3 people per square mile (82.0/km²). There were 818 housing units at an average density of 73.4 per square mile (28.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.52% White, 0.17% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 2.45% from other races
, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.27% of the population.
There were 787 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.1% were married couples
living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.7% were non-families. 8.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $91,161, and the median income for a family was $94,309. Males had a median income of $58,500 versus $36,250 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $39,791. About 2.8% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
serves the city of Argyle and neighboring areas. The district operates one elementary school
, a middle school
, an intermediate school and a high school
. Current enrollment in all schools is about 1,500. Argyle has established a police
department and a municipal court
, and enjoys a low crime
rate. The city sponsors an annual bluegrass music
festival.
The private Liberty Christian School is actually not located in Argyle but rather the surrounding area of Denton county unincorporated land.
The Argyle High school marching band has won 4 state marching band titles.
Liberty Christian School is now located in the city limits of Argyle.
Argyle's local newspaper is The Argyle Sun.
Denton County, Texas
Denton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 432,976; in 2009 the estimated population had reached 628,300. Part of the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The county seat is Denton. The county...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States, with a population of 2,365 as of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. The master-planned community of Lantana, Texas
Lantana, Texas
Lantana a master-planned community developed by Republic Property Group, south of Denton in unincorporated Denton County, Texas, United States. Lantana had 2,426 occupied homes as of August 26, 2011, with an estimated population of 7,885. Lantana shares the 76226 zip code of Argyle.Lantana...
(estimated population 6,000 as of May 2008) shares the Argyle mailing address.
History
The first white settlement, consisting of a few families, occurred in the Argyle area in the 1850s. The place was then known as Pilot Knob or Waintown. The settlement gradually acquired a few amenities in the late 1800s: a schoolSchool
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
in 1875, a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
church in 1876 and a post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
in 1878. The community was formally founded and renamed Argyle in 1881 by, after the Texas and Pacific railroad built a track through the area. Some believe a railroad surveyor named the town after a garden in France. However others believe the town to be named after Argyll Scotland. Also around this time was when Sam Bass an infamous outlaw who stole $60,000 in gold coins from the Union Pacific Railroad was rumored to have stashed the gold in a cave. Sam Bass died when he was 27 and it was rumored he never lived to retrieve the gold, so to this day it is believed to be somewhere in the hills surrounding the town.
Growth was very slow during the nineteenth century, and by 1890 Argyle only had a population of 148. The town did boast several agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
-related industries, such as grist mills, general stores, and a cotton gin
Cotton gin
A cotton gin is a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds, a job formerly performed painstakingly by hand...
. In 1885 Argyle built a two-story brick school, and population grew until it reached 238 in 1930. A bank was also established in 1906, a little red brick building with a drugstore in the front. The bank wasn't around long before it was robbed in 1912. The robbers made away with $1700 and were never caught. No one knows for sure who did it but rumors have included Jesse James, the Dalton Brothers, the Story's or the Chadwick Gang. Electricity and telephone service became available in the mid-1930s.
The Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
took its toll on the Argyle area, and population declined to only ninety in 1950. Argyle incorporated as a separate city on September 19, 1960, with M.H. Wilson as the first mayor. Gradually the town grew in population as more people from the Dallas-Fort Worth area discovered its rural charm. By the 1970s a number of retail establishments were located in Argyle, and the population reached 1,575 in 1990. The most recent Census Bureau estimate is that Argyle's population has doubled from that figure to 3,162 (2006). The high rate of growth is expected to continue as part of the general development of northern areas in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex
Geography
Argyle is located at 33°6′59"N 97°11′8"W (33.116422, -97.185461).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 11.1 square miles (28.7 km²), of which, 11.1 square miles (28.7 km²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2009, there were 3,365 people, 787 households, and 694 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 212.3 people per square mile (82.0/km²). There were 818 housing units at an average density of 73.4 per square mile (28.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.52% White, 0.17% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 2.45% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.27% of the population.
There were 787 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.7% were non-families. 8.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $91,161, and the median income for a family was $94,309. Males had a median income of $58,500 versus $36,250 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $39,791. About 2.8% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education and local notes
The Argyle Independent School DistrictArgyle Independent School District
Argyle Independent School District is a public school district based in Argyle, Texas .In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.-Schools:*Argyle High School...
serves the city of Argyle and neighboring areas. The district operates one elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
, a middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
, an intermediate school and a high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. Current enrollment in all schools is about 1,500. Argyle has established a police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
department and a municipal court
Court
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
, and enjoys a low crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
rate. The city sponsors an annual bluegrass music
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
festival.
The private Liberty Christian School is actually not located in Argyle but rather the surrounding area of Denton county unincorporated land.
The Argyle High school marching band has won 4 state marching band titles.
Liberty Christian School is now located in the city limits of Argyle.
Argyle's local newspaper is The Argyle Sun.
Notable residents
- George "Jub Jub" Dunham, professional radio celebrity for KTCK-AM, Sports Radio 1310 in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
- Walt GarrisonWalt GarrisonWalter Benton Garrison is a former American football fullback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys...
, former professional football player for the NFL's Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Wes MalottWes MalottWesley Clint "Big Nasty" Malott is an American professional ten-pin bowler who resides in Pflugerville, Texas. He has six titles in eight full seasons on the PBA tour, having won at least one title in four straight seasons . He also won the 2006–07 Showplace Lanes Megabucks Shootout, which is not...
, professional ten-pin bowlerTen-pin bowlingTen-pin bowling is a competitive sport in which a player rolls a bowling ball down a wooden or synthetic lane with the objective of scoring points by knocking down as many pins as possible.-Summary:The lane is bordered along its length by semicylindrical channels Ten-pin bowling (commonly just...
and 2008-09 PBAProfessional Bowlers AssociationThe Professional Bowlers Association is the major sanctioning body for the sport of professional ten-pin bowling in the United States. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the PBA membership consists of almost 4,300 members worldwide...
Player of the Year