The community was initially known as Johnson's Point starting in 1871, named after Abner Johnson, who settled the area in the 1840s after piloting a keelboat on the Trinity River two years prior. A post office under that name opened in 1871, but only lasted for two years, giving up its mail service to Terrell. The community changed its name to Abner in 1885, when a new post office opened, remaining open through 1903. After that, mail was sent from Kaufman. The community had 25 residents, as well as a barber, two doctors, and a general store in 1890. It gained ten more residents six years later.
