In 2009, the city of Keene wanted to annex seven parcels of land to its south, but was met with strong opposition from the parcels' residents. Judge John Neill of the 18th District Court subsequently blocked the annexation of three of the seven parcels on the grounds that they were outside of Keene's extraterritorial jurisdiction. On March 10, 2010, 25 residents petitioned a specially called meeting of the Johnson County Commissioners Court to become incorporated as a municipality. The name "Coyote Flats" was submitted at the meeting.
An election to incorporate the City of Coyote Flats was held on May 8, 2010. The measure was approved by a vote of 76 to 11. John Barnett was sworn in as mayor on August 11.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From Wikipedia and U.S. Geological Survey historical maps. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
