Strawn, on State Highway 16 and 108, Farm to Market Road 2372, and the Missouri Pacific Railroad in southwestern Palo Pinto County, was one of several towns developed about 1880 when the Texas and Pacific Railway began service.

The site, known earlier as North Fork for its location on Palo Pinto Creek, was laid out on the land of two early ranchers, Stephen Bethel Strawn and James N. Stuart.

A community to the west, Russell's Pocket, and one to the east, Davidsonville, were merged to form Strawn.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land.

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