DeLeon

Commanche County

Population is 2,190 and the Altitude is 1,265

DeLeon was established April 16, 1881, with the coming of the Railroad. On June 17, 1881, the decision was made to sell town lots, and by July 7, 1881, the lots were sold

The name of the town was to be De leon because of its proximity to the Leon River, but for several years the railroad maps and brochures referred to the town as Leon.

On August 28, 1881, the United States Post office established the De leon post ofice and appointed Frank E. Bonipart as Postmaster. Following, a general store was erected, then a grocery store, a saloon, a restaurant, a meat market, a blacksmith shop, one steam powered grist mill and cotton gin, all constructed in less than four months. by 1890, Precinct 5 included De Leon, with a population of 3,557.

The First Peach and Melon (click here for more Festival information) Festival was started in 1914 and still is the biggest spotlight of the year. Many features and activities are still being added to this annual event that brings approximately 30,000 visitors to De Leon each year. If De Leon's peach orchard, with 65,000 trees, would be arranged in one row, the trees would stretch 236 miles. It is the larges peach orchard in the nation.

De Leon is knownas the “Busiest Town with the Friendliest People”. This such a true statement used to represent the town. De Leon is located in the Central Texas area, right in the heart of Texas, with highways 6 and 36 running through it making it a busy town along with the activities brought on by our major contributors: peanut farming, ranching, dairy farming, truck farming (watermelons, cantaloupes,), and Texas Fruit and Pecan Orchards. As for having the friendliest people , this statement is also true. Remember when you could walk down the street and be met by friendly people with a tip of the hat, a “howdy”, a wave or smile, and “How’s things going”, ....that’s De Leon.

Visit the De Leon Chamber of Commerce located at 100 Soputh Texas Street. Ron Ranson is the Presiden and John Weaver is the President Elect. Lynne Carlson , the executive Secretary/Manager will go out of her way to help you. There telephone number is 817.893.2083