In its early years, Cross Plains had the basic necessities like a store, a cotton gin and gristmill, but little else.

The second paper, The Cross Plains Review, started in 1909 and continues to publish a weekly newspaper every Wednesday.

The town moved from the west banks of Turkey Creek to its present site in January 1911, to be closer to the railroad.

Cross Plains was[6] the last stop on the Texas Central Katy Railroad spur from De Leon and Rising Star.

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

[5] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

In 2004, voters passed a $1.1 million bond package for new classrooms and gymnasium for the Cross Plains Independent School District.

[11] The pulp fiction author Robert E. Howard, creator of the character Conan the Barbarian among others, lived in Cross Plains from the age of 13 in 1919 until his death in 1936.

Every year, Cross Plains holds the Robert E. Howard Days and a Barbarian Festival on the second weekend of June.

The fire spared the nearly century-old house (now a museum) of Robert E. Howard, author of the Conan the Barbarian books.