According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), all land.

The town of Gordon was planned by the Texas and Pacific Railway one mile south of Hampton in 1874.

The new town was named Gordon after the civil engineer responsible for surveying the townsite land.

The first classes at the Gordon School were held in 1882, and the post office opened on October 17, 1883 with local businessman Robert Rogan serving as the community's first postmaster.

In the U.S. Census of 1920, the burgeoning community reported 1,000 residents; but the effects of the Great Depression brought prosperity to a halt, and by 1960 there were fewer than 500 people living in Gordon.

The city has managed to survive as a point of commerce and shipping for local ranching and petroleum production.