A frontier center of traffic and communications. First known settler, Richard Coffey, lived here in 1860's, except in weeks when pioneers banded together in Pickettville Fort (NW of here) for protection against Indians. This was on the "Wire Road" -- so named because it followed telegraph line operated by U.S. Army Signal Corps between Fort Concho and Fort Belknap in the 1870's. Also in 1870's, Flat Top was a change station on Fort Concho-Brownwood Stage route. Name of the settlement came from a flat-roof stone building standing here in early days. (1969)