Ever wondered where the name of your town came from? When it comes to Argyle, Justin, Northlake, and Roanoke, each has its own origin story, shaped by railroads, settlers, and a little geography. Here’s a breakdown of how these four North Texas cities got their names.
🚂 Roanoke, Texas: A Tribute from the Rails
Roanoke’s name traces back to Roanoke, Virginia. In 1881 and 1882, the Texas & Pacific Railway plotted a town along its new tracks. It was at that time that “Roanoke” was chosen by one of the surveyors, in honor of his hometown in Virginia.
Before that, the area had been settled as early as 1847 near Denton Creek by the Medlin family and others, but frequent flooding forced residents to relocate about three miles south. The arrival of the railroad was what truly established the modern town.
🌿 Argyle, Texas: France or Scotland? Depends Who You Ask
Argyle’s name also dates to 1881, when the Texas & Pacific Railway built a line through southern Denton County. The community was previously known as Pilot Knob or Waintown, but the railroad brought a new identity.
According to the Texas State Historical Association, the most likely explanation for the town’s name is that a railroad surveyor named the town after a garden in France. However, others claim it was Dr. Daniel McIntyre Stewart, whose family came from Argyll, Scotland, who influenced the name in honor of his ancestral home.
So which is it? France or Scotland? We may never know for sure—but both versions are part of the lore.
🛤️ Justin, Texas: Named for a Railroad Engineer
Justin’s name is one of the clearest of the bunch. When the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway reached the area in the 1880s, a post office was established in January 1887. Locals chose the name “Justin” to honor Walter Justin Sherman, the railroad’s chief construction engineer.
Earlier settlers had formed communities nearby (including a short-lived French utopian colony in 1848), but it was the railroad’s arrival that solidified the town’s future. And despite what you might think, the town was not named after the famous Justin Boot Company—that came later.
🌅 Northlake, Texas: Named for its location in relation to a real lake
Northlake’s name is the most literal, and a bit misleading. Construction on Lake Grapevine completed in 1952. Four years later, Southlake incorporated with a name that was chosen because the land was south of Lake Grapevine.
After Southlake was formed, ranchers and homeowners to the west formed their own town and decided to call it Westlake.
Then, in 1960 ranchers in present-day Northlake were concerned that their community could be annexed by larger cities like Denton and Fort Worth. To keep that from happening, they incorporated their own town, calling it Northlake because the area sat north of Lake Grapevine.
📍 Conclusion: Railroads, Roots, and a Little Real Estate Logic
Whether it’s a nostalgic nod to a hometown, a tribute to a railroad engineer, or just a spot on the map, the names of these Denton County cities reflect the region’s history and growth. Each one carries a little piece of the past, stitched together by railways, relocated communities, and geographic quirks.
