Remember When: Growing Up in Old Justin

One former resident shares memories of downtown, family roots, and a community that always looked out for its own.

Before the neighborhoods, new businesses, and steady growth we see around Justin today, there was a much smaller town where downtown Main Street was the center of community life.

For Gay Whittington Hopkins, who grew up in Justin, those early memories are still vivid. She recently shared a glimpse of what life was like when wooden walkways lined downtown, neighbors gathered on Saturdays, and just about everyone knew everyone.

As a young child, Gay remembers the south side of Main Street, next to the old Ottinger Grocery Store. Across the street were Brad’s and the dry cleaners.

There were wooden walkways, along with signs reminding people not to spit. And Saturdays were something special.

That was when big drawings were held, giving residents the chance to win grocery baskets and other prizes. It was a time when people gathered downtown, visited with neighbors, and enjoyed being part of a close-knit community.

Gay also remembers Dr. Allen’s office upstairs next to the old post office.

Her recollections of Dr. Allen have an interesting connection to Justin’s documented history. According to historical research prepared for Denton County, Dr. Joseph Hugh Allen, affectionately known as Doc Joe, opened his medical practice in Justin in December 1901. He served the community for more than half a century, retiring in the late 1950s. During his career, he delivered more than 3,000 babies.

The same historical research confirms that Brad’s Confectionary, owned by J.E. Bradley, was operating in Justin by the late 1920s.

While we haven’t been able to independently confirm the exact locations Gay remembers, these historical records help connect her childhood recollections to Justin’s earlier years.

“Things have changed so much through the years,” she reflected.

But what stands out most in Gay’s memories isn’t necessarily the buildings or businesses. It’s the people.

She remembers a community where everyone knew about everyone and genuinely cared about what was happening in one another’s lives.

A Family History That Runs Through Justin

Gay’s connection to Justin goes back several generations, and some of her family members left their own marks on the community.

Her great-grandfather, Risden Barnard, affectionately known as Grancy, served as a longtime janitor at the old Justin schoolhouse during his later years.

He was also a Methodist lay minister, remembered by his family as a Godly and honorable man. When Grancy passed away, Gay’s grandfather Whittington made a point of recognizing the kind of person he was, describing him as a good, honest man.

Another important family connection is her uncle, Floyd Barksdale.

Born in Justin in 1933, Barksdale graduated from Northwest High School and went on to serve on the Northwest ISD Board of Trustees. He became well known as the longtime voice of Northwest Texan football and was actively involved in supporting youth sports in Justin and Haslet.

In 2024, Northwest ISD approved naming a new middle school in his honor. Floyd Barksdale Middle School, located near Pecan Square in Northlake, opened in August 2026.

The school is a lasting recognition of someone who gave so much to the district and the surrounding communities.

Gay also shared that the Barnard, Barksdale, Peterson, and Whittington families have all contributed to Justin’s history in different ways.

For her, growing up in Justin meant being part of a community that taught its children to value every person equally.

From a Small Town to the Justin We Know Today

It’s hard to picture today’s Justin when looking back at its earlier years.

According to historical population records, Justin had 496 residents in 1950. By the 1960 Census, that number had grown to 622. The 2020 Census counted 4,409 residents, and the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimate puts Justin at 7,285 residents as of July 2025.

That’s quite a transformation from the days when Saturday afternoons meant gathering downtown for grocery drawings and catching up with familiar faces.

But as Justin continues to grow, stories like Gay’s remind us that the community’s history isn’t just about population numbers, new development, or changing streets. It’s about the generations of people who called this place home and helped make it what it is today.

Do You Remember Old Justin?

Were you here when Main Street had wooden walkways? Do you remember the old grocery stores, downtown businesses, schoolhouse, or Saturday gatherings?

Maybe you remember a family business, a favorite neighbor, or a place that looks completely different today.

We’d love to hear your stories. You don’t have to have old photographs or a perfectly remembered timeline. Sometimes the smallest details are the ones that bring history to life.

Whether you grew up here, raised a family here, or have called Justin home for decades, your memories are part of the story worth preserving.

After all, today’s new residents are tomorrow’s longtime locals, and there’s a lot of Justin history worth passing along.