A local post office opened in 1857, and by 1885 the community had two churches, two steam gristmills, three general stores, a hotel, a blacksmith, and an estimated population of seventy-five.

When the Texas, Sabine Valley and Northwestern Railway was built through the county in 1886, the townspeople demanded such high prices for their property that railroad officials bypassed it a mile to the north.

Joe Biggs, who owned the land in that area, sold it to the railroad and laid out a new townsite.

Within a short time most of the businesses were moved to the railroad and the old Beckville was completely deserted.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), all land.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 722 people, 308 households, and 203 families residing in the city.

The old 1888 school was sold and turned into a dwelling which can still be seen today to the right of the First Baptist Church in downtown Beckville.

(according to the Railroad records the 1888 school is one of the oldest schoolhouses in Texas) [8] Demorrio Williams- Former NFL middle linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Diego Chargers.