Abundant grassland, timber, and water induced pioneers to settle in this area of Texas's western Cross Timbers region in the 1850s. Ranching and cotton production dominated early land use. Barbee Cemetery was established nearby about 1863. A community developed near a school built here in 1904 on land donated by Brack Salyer. The school and community were named for Salyer's granddaughter Edna Wilson. The 1930s depression continued a decline of Edna Hill which began in the 1920s. By the early 1990s all that remained was Baptist church, community center, and a few homes. (1994)