Settlers began to pass through and many stopped to make homes. One of these was Sam Callis and his family. He built a blacksmith shop. His shop was located near the spot where the Community Center is now located. In the late ‘60’s Mr. Callis had a well dug to supply the community with water.

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Settlers continued to come into the community and soon a prosperous little town was established. Besides Mr. Callis’ blacksmith shop, grocery stores, barber shops, gins, and a drug store was built. By 1873 a post office was established. Billy Rousseau's built a dry-goods and grocery store, and ten years later Callisburg reported a population of 300, a school, and some twenty businesses, including a steam gristmill-cotton gin.

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In 1883 Callisburg received her name and a Post Office was established. The Post Office was ran by Billy Rousseau. The town was named for blacksmith Sam Callis, the first settler there. Later, the Butterfield Stage was routed through Callisburg bringing more settlers.

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Several doctors set up shop. Dr. Barnett’s office was in his home just south of the Methodist Church. The Methodist Church was built around the turn of the century. The Church of Christ and Vilott Baptist Church followed a few year latter. These churches are still active. The next project for these thrifty pioneers was to try to build a school. It was located near the Methodist Church.

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By 1902, however, its population had declined to about 110, and its post office had closed. The residents thought an electric rail line was to be built between Gainesville and Sherman to the east; Callisburg was to be used as the headquarters for this line, but the project never developed.

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In 1924 the Big Indian Oil and Development Company Well No. 1 was drilled on B. W. Davis's farm, a mile east of Callisburg. Many cafes and restaurants sprang up. The Callisburg Community Center was organized in 1924 and is one of the oldest continually ran community clubs in Texas. The current building was built in 1971.

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The community's population level fluctuated between 110 and 200 until the early 1970s, when it dropped sharply to around sixty-eight. By 1980, however, Callisburg had become incorporated, and by 1988 its population had reached a new reported high of 329.

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In 1988 the town had two churches, two stores, a volunteer fire department, a city hall, a community center, and its own independent school district. Its population was 344 in 1990 and grew to 365 in 2000. The student count for the 2021 – 22 school year is over 1100 students.

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Callisburg Texas is one of the oldest communities in Texas. In December 1845, Texas became the 28th state of the union. Callisburg is eleven miles northeast of Gainesville in eastern Cooke County. It’s located on FM 2896 and FM 678. The town was near the Butterfield Overland Mail route and on the Mormon Trail, a route established in 1846 by a group of Mormons led by Lyman Wight, who were migrating to Texas.

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