About Joshua

History of Joshua     v

The town of Joshua was recorded and surveyed in 1880 and was first organized when the railroad line was extended through Joshua in 1881. Joshua was originally Caddo Oak but the Postal Service would not accept the name because another town in Texas already called that. When Joshua's first postmaster received the notice, Dr. DB McMillen was present and offered the name of Joshua.

Farming was the principal source of income for Joshua residents and cotton was the main crop. In 1883 the first cotton gin was constructed by J.M. Garrett and later a second gin went into operation. At one time 2,500 to 3,000 bales of cotton were ginned annually.

Farming is still important to the Joshua economy, but dairy cows and horse facilities are locate around Joshua and everything from cutting horses to race horses are raised in the area.

Willie Denton College was founded in 1899. At one time, students came from across the state to receive their education in Joshua. In 1909, the Land of Willie Denton College was turned over to the Joshua Independent School District.

The JISD has always been important to the City of Joshua and a great source of pride. In recent years, it has been considered one of the fastest growing school districts in Texas. The school system is also one of the major employers in the community.

Transportation has fueled the growth of the nation and it has done the same for Joshua. When the railroad came through Joshua in the late 1800's, there were five or six passenger trains daily. The first automobile came to Joshua in 1913 and today Highway 174 is the major thoroughfare, with 17,000 to 20,000 vehicles passing through Joshua daily.

With its easy access to the Dallas/Ft .Worth Metroplex there is a tremendous amount of opportunity for businesses and individuals to locate in the area and enjoy financial success. The variety of industries and sources of income means that Joshua is not dependent of anyone segment of the economy. This provides a buffer during hard economic time which many parts of Texas do not enjoy.

Joshua residents are close enough to the Metroplex to enjoy the benefits of the City yet far enough away to enjoy the rural setting. This gives Joshua residents the best of both worlds.

2008 Trade Area Demographics    v

Median household income of $47,536.00

Median Age 33.7

Trade area based on 15 minute drive time.

20% of Households built since 2000 and almost 74% are owner occupied

Over 30% “Mainstream Families”

20% younger head of household

Strong young base of married families with children who desire to live, work and play within community they live

Approx. 50% of workers travel less than 30 minutes to work

Average temperature 65.8 degrees (average high is 78.1; average low is 50.2

Average rainfall: 34 inches of rain yearly

Elevation: 764 feet

Location: Conveniently situated between Burleson and Cleburne on State Highway 174. Located in Johnson County, Joshua is 23 miles south of Ft. Worth and 53 miles southwest of Dallas.

Future Development    v

Joshua Station Mixed Use Center – Grocery store, town homes, retail & Restaurant pad sites, office park and ride, future commuter rail

La Quinta Hotel & adjacent retail sites – 40,000 square feet 126 rooms, 4 Adjacent retail lots planned.

Over 200 new residential lots platted in 2008

Over 200 existing vacant platted lots

Southwest Parkway (Hwy. 121) intersection with FM 917

Strong area population growth: Trade area population of over 83,000 persons, projected to increase to 93,000 by 2012, a 12% increase. Robust growth expected to continue over next 10 years.

City of Joshua, Texas    v

Visit the website: www.cityofjoshuatx.us

County Commissioners    v

www.johnsoncountytx.org

Commissioner Pct. 1 Rick Bailey
Tel: (817) 645-0441

Pct. 2 John Matthews
Tel: (817)558-8200

Pct. 3 Jerry Stringer
Tel: (817)790-5333

Pct. 4 Don Beeson
Tel: (817)517-5292

Public Facilities    v

Post Office
Tel: (817)645-0521

City of Joshua
Tel: (817)558-7447
www.cityofjoshuatx.us

Joshua Area Chamber of Commerce
Tel: (817) 558-2821
www.joshuachamber.org

Joshua School & Public Library
Tel: (817) 426-7500

Visit the JISD website:
www.joshuaisd.org

Joshua Community Room/ Library
Tel: (817) 426-7500

Voter information
(817) 556-6197

Central Appraisal District of Johnson County
Tel: (817) 645-3986 (817) 645-3000
www.johnsoncad.com

Utilities    v

Atmos Energy
Tel: 1-800-460-3030

IESI
Tel: (972)923-9661

Pathway Com
Tel: (817)484-2222
www.usapathway.com

TXU Energy
Tel: 1-800-242-9113

United Coop
Tel: (817)556-4000
www.united-cs.com

JCSUD
Tel: (817)760-5200
www.jcsud.com

AT & T
1-800-585-7928 Residence
1-800-499-7928 Commercial

Area Chambers    v

Joshua Area Chamber of Commerce
President: Tana Howell
104 N Main St.
PO Box 1292
Joshua, TX 76058
Tel: (817) 558-2821
joshchamber@att.net
www.joshuachamber.org

Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce
1044 SW Wilshire
Burleson, TX 76028
Tel: (817) 295-6121
www.burlesonareachamber.com

Cleburne Area Chamber of Commerce
President: Cathy Marshel
PO Box 701
Cleburne, TX 76033
info@cleburnechamber.com
www.cleburnechamber.com

Crowley Area Chamber of Commerce
200 E Main Suite D
Crowley, TX 76036
Tel: (817) 297-4211
info@crowleyareachamber.org
www.crowleyareachamber.org