Oplin, Texas

Oplin is an unincorporated community in Callahan County, in the U.S. state of Texas. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 75 in 2000. It is located within the Abilene metropolitan area.

History
Oplin was founded in the 1890s. A post office was established at Oplin in 1903 and remained in operation until around 1961. William A. Smith served as postmaster. Local merchant Steve Jones requested the name Oplin for the community and was supposedly named for a town somewhere in South America. Its population zenith was 300 in 1915, then plunged to 100 in 1925. In 1940, the community had five stores and a cemetery serving 200 residents. World War II caused the community to decline, following the decline throughout the county as Abilene grew with the introduction of transportation and communication. Its population plummeted to 75 from 1990 through 2000.

The local Jot-um Down store served as the community's former bank.

Geography
Oplin is located on State Highway 604 and Farm to Market Road 2926, 31 mi southwest of Baird and 28 mi southeast of Abilene in southwestern Callahan County. It is south of the Middle Fork of Pecan Bayou.

Education
Oplin had its own school in 1940. The high school in the community dating from 1938 is used as a local music venue. Today, the community is served by the Eula Independent School District.