Many locations across the great state of Texas boast extraordinary names. Nearly all of them boast great stories connected to their naming. Whether odd, mysterious, or fantastic, the city of Cut and Shoot (or Cut ‘n Shoot, depending on who you’re talking to and which sign you read) is one that always comes to the top of the list when mentioning Texan’s penchant for giving unique names to their cities.
Located in northeast Montgomery County between Houston and Huntsville, Cut and Shoot is most famously known as the hometown of professional boxer Roy Harris. In 1958, Harris was a contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Photo: Facebook/Bekah Aranda
While there are several stories about how Cut and Shoot was named, the one that is the most prominent involves a church dispute. Allegedly members of the newly established town were in an uproar about the qualifications of a potential preacher for their church. Many present at the dispute were worried the conflict would soon turn violent. At that point, a youth who was there said, “I’m going to cut around the corner and shoot through the bushes in a minute.” The words turned memorable to many present, and thus the name stuck.
Photo of Roy Harris: Facebook/Doris Logan
Other rumors abound regarding the nature of the name. One common rumor among long-time residents of Montgomery County relates to Cut and Shoot as a place where some of the roughest and toughest residents in the state resided. Keeping pace with the stigma of the residents’ hardy constitution, many outsiders claimed that if you said the wrong thing to a citizen, they wouldn’t be afraid to “cut and shoot” you.
Photo: Facebook/Cut and Shoot Family Lions Club
As of the 2010 census, Cut and Shoot boasted a population of around 1100 citizens within the geographical city limits. Outside of the city limits, there are several unincorporated areas whose residents claim Cut and Shoot as home. Cut and Shoot is considered part of the greater Conroe area and is serviced by Conroe Independent School District.
