Higgins was platted in 1887, when its post office opened and its first train arrived. It was named for G. H. Higgins, a wealthy railroad stockholder, and became an early cattle shipping point. A devastating tornado struck on April 9, 1947, killing an estimated 45 people and injuring 140. Ranching, farming, and oil are the chief industries of the area, and oil drilling began in 1957.