SH 22 was one of the 25 original state highways proposed on June 21, 1917, along a path from Wichita Falls to Comanche.

On August 1, 1936, three routes called SH 22 Spur were designated to Blooming Grove, Frost, and Barry (which were taken over on March 21, 1938).

[6] On November 24, 1937, two more routes called SH 22 Spur to Brandon and Mertens were designated (which were taken over on May 23, 1938).

On September 26, 1939, the part from Corsicana to Palestine had been transferred to US 287 and the part from Palestine to Timpson had been transferred to US 84, while SH 22 ran from Hamilton to Corsicana, and remained on this routing to this day.

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