Era, Texas

Era is an unincorporated community in Cooke County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 200 in 2000. It is located within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

History
The community was named for Era Hargrave, an early settler's daughter. The area was first settled in the early 1850s. The community had 200 residents served by a post office, a Masonic lodge, and several other businesses and churches in 1990. The population remained at 200 in 2000. It went up to 400 in 2010. Today, Era is a productive farming region. The townsite was platted by merchant J. N. Gist (1827–1893). The post office opened in 1881. The hamlet quickly gained a hotel, a blacksmith shop, a cotton gin, many shops, and three churches. In 1973, Era emerged victorious in the Texas Community Improvement Program.

Approximately seven miles west of Era, there is the Liberman Broadcasting Tower Era, one of earth's tallest structures, and as of May 2007 was the tallest structure in Texas. The tower is named for its proximity to Era, though it is much closer to Rosston and Leo.

In 1860, the Butterfield Overland Mail operated Davidsen's Station, about 4 miles west of Era.

On June 21, 1921, Era had a branch of the Cooke County Library in its vicinity.

The Thomason-Scott House in the community was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Era is located at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 922 and Farm to Market Road 51, 12 mi southwest of Gainesville and 30 mi northwest of Denton in southwestern Cooke County.

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, Era has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Several tornadoes have struck Era. On April 26, 1994, an F0 tornado struck the community. This brief tornado touched down without any damage being done. On April 10, 2001, it was hit by an F1 tornado. Roof, tree, and sign damage occurred. Another F1 tornado occurred on March 21, 2022. Minor damage to trees and the canopy of a gas station occurred. The most recent tornado hit Era on May 25, 2024. The EF1 tornado damaged trees and structures.

Education
In 1878, Judge J.M. Lindsay donated 6 acre of land for a school. It had several in 1990. Today, the community is served by the Era Independent School District.

After being formed in 1897, Era Institute offered studies for primary through college levels.

Notable people

 * J. Charles Kelley, archaeologist.
 * Robert Ewing Thomason, speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, mayor of El Paso, and a member of Congress and federal judge.