Gordon is a small city in Palo Pinto County, in north-central Texas, situated along Interstate 20 about 60 miles west of Fort Worth. The community traces its history to 1864 with the founding of the nearby settlement of Hampton, and it recorded a population of 470 at the 2020 census. Gordon's identity is closely tied to the cattle ranching and oil production that have long defined the surrounding Palo Pinto County countryside. The town developed as a small crossroads and service point for the rural region, supporting schools, churches, and businesses through the twentieth century. Its position along Interstate 20, a major east-west route across Texas, places it between the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to the east and the smaller cities of West Texas to the west. This highway access gives residents a direct connection to larger employment and shopping centers while the town itself maintains a slower pace. Public education is provided by the Gordon Independent School District, a small rural district with a single campus and roughly 215 students. The school is a focal point of community life, and local support for its academics and athletics is strong. The district's small size allows for close relationships among students, families, and staff. Today Gordon functions as a quiet residential community and local service center for the northern part of Palo Pinto County. The surrounding landscape of ranchland and oil fields shapes both the economy and everyday life, and the town continues to offer a classic small-town Texas alternative within commuting distance of the Fort Worth area. Possum Kingdom Lake, a major regional recreation destination, lies within the county a short drive to the northwest.