Many around the Houston region have wondered about the name of a city sandwiched between Conroe and Cleveland.
“Why is it named Cut and Shoot?” some ask. Or, in some instances, a front man for one of the biggest rock bands of the 60s will give a shout out to the uniquely-named small town.
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But, beyond the history behind the name of the city, there are more reasons for people passing through to make a visit, whether it’s elephants or learning how to fly a plane.
Here is what to know about Cut and Shoot before visiting:
What is Cut and Shoot known for?
Cut and Shoot became well known when local boxer Roy Harris fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight title in 1958.
Harris was a four-time Texas Golden Gloves amateur champion, won his state Olympic Trials in 1952, and won the Joe Louis Sportsmanship Award at the 1954 National Golden Gloves.
Harris’ boxing success brought national fame to his birthplace of Cut and Shoot. After retiring from the sport, he went on to serve for 28 years as county clerk in Montgomery County.
Harris was born June 29, 1933, in Cut and Shoot. He died in August at the age of 90.
Why is it named Cut and Shoot?
The small town acquired its name in July 1912. According to information from the city taken from “A History of Montgomery County, Texas” by William Harley Gandy, that year, a combination church and schoolhouse, called the Community House, was built. It was understood that all dominions were privileged to preach there except the Mormons and Apostolics.
However, an Apostolic preacher was invited to speak by local brethren at the Community House, sparking a feud that split into two camps: those who believed the Community House should be open to every denomination and those who thought it should be closed to the Apostolics.
On the day of the meeting by the Apostolics, each side showed up with their guns and knives at the Community House.
As the people argued, an 8-year-old boy became scared and yelled out, “I’m scared! I’m going to cut around the the corner and shoot through the bushes in a minute.”
That was when the town’s name was coined. No actual cutting or shooting occurred that day.
Elephants in the country
Since the 80s, the East Texas Elephant Experience has been providing elephant, camel rides, and educational programs at renaissance festivals throughout the United States, according to the organization’s website.
The organization is in the care of three elephants at their facility off Texas 105: Paige, Krissy and Jeanie. The organization also has two camels, a zebra and pygmy goats.
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While the facility is usually closed through the months of June and July, it operates regularly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tour guides are also offered, with dates varying depending availability. The ticket price for a tour is $125 per person.
For more information, visit easttexaselephantexperience.com.
Chennault Aviation Academy
The Chennault Aviation Academy, which aims to help young pilots turn lessons into airline careers, opened its new headquarters in November at a redeveloped airstrip that was once the abandoned Cut and Shoot airfield.
The airstrip that was most recently pasture land had been redeveloped into a 3,100-foot paved runway with a hangar for 10 training planes, fueling area, flight simulator and headquarters for the school.
The flight school has around 170 students and offers a roughly three-year degree for pilots who want to fly for a commercial airline. Students can begin training as a junior in high school.
For more information, visit caacxo.com.
Restaurants in the town
While there is a handful of restaurants in the town that’s 2.71 square miles, it does offer a variety of food cuisine’s such as barbecue and Tex-Mex.
Willies BBQ and Burgers, for example, is a restaurant off Texas 105 and offers food cooked straight from the grill.
El Barquito Seafood off Texas 105 serves seafood as well as Tex-Mex dishes, while also hosting a variety of shows — including DJ sets and karaoke.
For more information, visit williesbbqandburgers.com and barquitoseafood.com.
Reporter Catherine Dominguez contributed to this story.
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