In 1881, the railroad was constructed from Whitesboro to Fort Worth through the territory. Sites for two stations were to be selected and a Mr. Davis was given the job of making the selections.

One station was located six miles north of Pilot Point and the other six miles to the south. The station to the north was called Tioga and has since become famous on account of producing the "greatest mineral water the world has ever known" (according to the editor of the Tioga Herald).

The station six miles south of Pilot Point, was called Onega. When the depot was built, J.A. Wood was appointed agent. He was not an operator, but handled freight and passenger traffic. After the station here was established other business institutions were started including the inevitable saloon.

The business part of town then was on the street east of the depot where the gins and water and light plant now stand. The town flourished at that location for a while; then one dark night fire broke out and the business part of it went up in smoke. We could give the exact date, but everybody here knows that it burned the same night Ed Hodges was born, and we couldn’t give the date without giving away the age of Hodges. It was near to 40 years ago.

In the meantime, Uncle Noah Edwards had a town-site laid off on his land, west of the railroad and, in order to encourage the building of the embryo city, he gave the lot now occupied by the W.P. Ratchford and Co. to Mr. Bruce and the one on the opposite side of the street where the Aubrey Hardware Co. is now located to Riley Caddell, both former business men, on the condition that they build and establish stores there. That was the beginning of the town on the west side.

But, in following the history of the town, we have almost overlooked the name and how it came by it, so we will go back to 1881 again.

By this time, the country was settling up pretty well and the people decided they wanted a Post Office. There were no rural routes in those days and there were no good roads nor autos, so it was very inconvenient to go to Pilot Point or Denton for mail.

A petition was made to the department at Washington to establish an office here. Then the question of a name came up. The name of Onega did not appeal to the citizens, so other names were suggested. It was finally agreed to leave the matter to chance, so the three names suggested were written on separate slips of paper and dropped in a hat; then one slip was drawn out and on it was written "Aubrey." No one ever reported what was written on the other three slips.

That name was then incorporated in the petition for a post office, which in due course of time was established and J.A. Wood, was the first depot agent, was commissioned as first postmaster, and the first letter delivered from the new office was to Ben Moss, justice of the peace at that time in July 1881. The railroad company, in order to avoid confusion changed the station named from Onega to Aubrey.

Previous to the coming of the railroad, J.G. Powledge owned and operated a gin a half mile east of the R.K. (illegible name) home. After the town started, it moved to the space now occupied by the F&M gin where it operated for (illegible numbers) years under his management.

From this small beginning the town has grown until there are now (1925) more than thirty business institutions here which includes two gins, one water light and power plant, one telephone exchange, one dry goods store, on hardware store, one bank, two drug stores, two meat markets, two cafes, two barber shops, two blacksmith shops, one tailor shop, five filling stations, two shoe shops, one grocery and furniture, one grocery and produce, one blacksmith and auto repair, one exclusive auto repair shop, and a newspaper and job printing office.

The legal affairs are looked after by one lawyer, which shows that we are peaceably inclined.

The health of our people is looked after by one resident physician, which shows that he is a good doctor.

Three preachers in as many churches look after our moral and spiritual welfare (Baptist, Methodist, and Christian), it keeps them busy.

Aubrey is incorporated with the following officer: W.P. Ratchford, mayor, W.D. Keen, J.E. Bonar, T.B. Powledge, T.L. Phillips, F.H. Meier, aldermen; D.A Lyles, city secretary; J.T. Elrod, marshal. The tax rate is 25 cents.

Aubrey has an excellent school under the direction of Supt. Angel, assisted by a corps of most efficient teachers; the school is making a fine record this year.

Population of Aubrey at the last census was 800, most of them from Alabama.

The high power electric line runs near the city limits and has purchased land for a sub-station.

The country around Aubrey is adapted to cotton, corn, fruits, and vegetables. Several cars of honey-ball melons were shipped from here last year and larger shipments are expected to be made this year.