The first settlers came to Clyde around 1876. Mr. Shephard built a log cabin, the first residence, around this time. Many others soon followed. Among the first settlers were people such as R. J. Estes who came all the way from Fort Worth. When he first came, he didn't plan on staying. Mrs. Estes and he had stopped only to rest, but soon decided to stay. In their quick decision to stay, they simply left their belongings under a tree while they traveled to ge the rest of their belongings for their new home. All their belongings were still as they had left them when they returned a few months later.
The railroad was prominent in Clyde. It started with only a boxcar, then later there was a station added. Along with the railroad came more settlers, homes, and work. Soon as school was needed.
The actual origin of the name Clyde is not known. Many believe it was named after a crew foreman. The man worked for the Texas and Pacific Railway Company. The company had a tent for the employees to get supplies. They would say, "Let's go up to Clyde's," not talking about the town only the supply tent. Soon the Railroad Company would call their boxcar location Clyde.
The first post office soon followed. The first postmaster, Jesse L. Miller, was appointed June 27, 1881. Three months after this, George W. Paylor replaced him.
Churches were soon on the rise in Clyde. Although many were already meeting, the first church was built in 1890. The Catholic Church was destroyed by Clyde's first tornado in 1895, and later rebuilt. soon after the Catholic Church, came the Methodist Church and the Church of Christ, both in 1904. The Baptist Church was built in 1907.
Clyde's population was growing. In 1876, there was only one
house. By 1910, the population was 459, in 1920 it was 610, in 1925 it was 750, and
by 1990 it was 3002. Clyde is still growing.