City of Early

About Us

Incorporated in 1951:

Around 1869 problems over water supply and a disputed land title induced many citizens of Brownwood to move from the east to the west side of Pecan Bayou. Early was not considered to be a separate community until the mid-20th Century. In 1928 a new school district, named for Walter U. Early, an attorney, who donated land for several school buildings was formed on the site, and the Anderson, Ricker, Delaware and Jenkins Spring schools consolidated with Early. In 1935 the Early school had 271 pupils and nine teachers. The Early community had six businesses, two churches and the school. Early, incorporated on December 15, 1951, when it had an estimated 600 inhabitants.

Growth in the Area:

Early grew to 819 inhabitants by 1960 and to 1,097 by
A Methodist church was built in 1979 and a second Baptist church was constructed in 1984. Heartland Mall, the first mall in the Brownwood area, opened there in 1980, when the community had 2,313 inhabitants.

Building of City Hall:

A city hall was built in 1982, and a post office was opened in 1985. In 1990 the community included four churches, the Early Weekly Press, the Early Independent School District and 2,380 inhabitants.