Just in Justin

Bishop Park, Justin

What I didn’t know about this town would fit in a boot. Back before the settlers arrived, this fertile land was home to Native Americans, specifically the Navajo. Conflict between these people and the settlers arose in about 1841, resulting in the Battle of Village Creek. About seven years later, French utopian socialists established an Icarian community at the juncture of Denton and Oliver Creeks. They were given several thousand acres by the Peters Colony, but conflict with Peters and unforgiving conditions brought on by Texas weather caused the 70 or so settlers to abandon the area within two years.



A few years later, with the posting of the Texas Rangers at Hickory Station, settlers came from Missouri and other states to farm the area; corn, cotton, and wheat grew easily in the rich soil. The lush grasses

Church of Christ

provided food for livestock so that industry began to grow, as well. The town became an important stop on the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railway line. And rather than naming the settlement after the Justin Boot Company, it was named to honor Walter Justin (W.J.) Sherman, the chief construction engineer. A post office and a bank opened in the early 1900s; the Justin State Bank is still locally owned, managed, and operated financial institution. As with a lot of small towns, the railroad brought business and industry so that by 1914 had four elevators, two cotton gins, a flour mill, and more than 20 other businesses.




Incorporated in 1946, Justin has continued to grow. Salvage companies,

Justin Boots

those that buy property involved in fires and tornadoes and sell it for discounted prices, made the town their center. They did a good business until the late 1970s. With the industry on the decline one family decided to switch to Western wear and that was when Justin Boots outlets came to town. These outlets are still in town and on any given day you can find some bargains.

Three Carrots

So what sort of an eatery would go with such a traditionally country town? Mom’s Café (417 Sealy Ave, Justin, TX 76247, (940) 648-2581), of

Left: Dave and Menu
Center T to B: Burger, Chicken fried steak
Right: Boy and rooster

course! This is one of those cozy local places where the waitresses know many of the customers by name, all of their kids, and many of their kin. While we were there, a young man was sitting at a table by himself, watching a video, and consuming a soft drink. He didn’t bother anyone although the waitresses would wander by every now and then to check on him. Dave and I opted for items from the menu rather than one of the daily specials.  He had a chicken fried steak and I had a cheese burger. The sides were delightful; we really enjoyed the fries and the okra.  Dave wanted more meat in his chicken fried, but I was really satisfied with my burger. We’ve decided that we’re going to go back and share something so that we can try the desserts. (See Reading the Reviews for the rating system.)

Nice old house in Justin

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