The creek was first known as "Moore's Creek" by an employee of the Memphis, El Paso and Pacific Railroad.[1] It was renamed "China Creek" for the chinaberry that grew on its banks.[1] It was also described by early Texas settler Richard Boren.[2]
By 1879, the creek was flowing through the Waggoner Ranch established by Daniel Waggoner. This section was managed by his son, William Thomas Waggoner.[3] W.T. Waggoner sold this section of their ranch to developers in 1903.[4]
