History & Nature
History
Allen’s history and heritage dates back to prior to the 1800s when the region was inhabited by Caddo and Comanche Indian tribes. As European immigrants began arriving in the 1840s, these tribes migrated west. A historic marker commemorating one of the final conflicts between settlers and native tribes can be found along State Highway 5 and Rowlett Creek near the existing railroad.
The immigrants were in search of free land and arrived by traveling the Texas Road and the Central National Road constructed by the Republic of Texas. A stage line ran from Bonham through McKinney to Allen and Plano, crossing Rowlett Creek where SH 5 exists now. Allen was part of the Peter’s Colony Land Grant from the Republic of Texas to the Texas Emigration & Land Company.
The original township of Allen was laid out according to the Houston and Texas Central Railroad (H&TC), constructed in 1872. In 1918, the H&TC built a combination freight/passenger depot in the Allen Central Business District. The first train robbery in Texas took place in Allen on February 22, 1878, when Sam Bass and his associates pillaged the train. Today’s Allen Heritage Center and Museum is a replica of that original depot. It is the home of the Allen Heritage Guild whose mission is to ensure tomorrow’s heritage by recording past and current milestones for the city.
Allen is also home to one of the only remaining stone dams in the United States used as a water station for the H&TC railway. The remaining site includes the stone dam, a foundation for a pump house and a foundation for a water tower which is designated by the Texas Historical Commission as a State Archaeological Landmark.
The City of Allen incorporated in 1953 and has experienced many growth spurts over the last 60 years bringing the population from as low as 400 to its current inhabitants of close to 86,000.
Tales of Allen
You can learn more about how Allen got its start into becoming the great city it is today by viewing the “Tales of Allen” series produced by the nationally award winning Allen City Television (ACTV).
Places to See
We invite you to partake in the beauty of Allen and our rich heritage by visiting the following:
Allen Heritage Center
100 E. Main
Allen, TX 75002
972.727.2772
The
Allen Heritage Center is a replica of the 1918 Houston & Texas Central Railway Company depot and the perfect stop for visitors with an interest in history. Events and exhibits are hosted by the Allen Heritage Guild throughout the year. Operating hours are on Saturdays and Sundays, and group tours are available by appointment.
Allen Heritage Village
450 E. St. Mary
Allen, TX 75002
972.727.2772
Several of Allen's oldest remaining homes and outbuildings and a well-preserved church were relocated to central land in Allen's old residential area and restored.
Allen Heritage Village is a cooperative project between the City of Allen and the Allen Heritage Guild.
Old Stone Dam
near 201 E. Exchange Pkwy.
Allen, TX 75002
Part of a historical driving tour offered by the Allen Heritage Guild, the old stone dam spans 100 feet. It was built on property obtained by Houston & Texas Central Railway Company. The site includes the stone dam, a foundation for a pump house, and a foundation for a water tower. It is designated by the Texas Historical Commission as a State Archaeological Landmark.
Connemara Meadow Preserve
Corner of Alma and South Bethany Drives
Allen, TX 75013
469.200.4085
Private conservation lands open periodically for public events, the
Connemara Meadow Preserve offers a refreshing walk in wide-open spaces of a beautiful meadow, rich in floral diversity that is reminiscent of the tall grass Blackland Prairie that once existed in this region.
Allen Veterans Memorial
1201 E. Bethany Dr.
Allen, TX 75002
The
Allen Veterans Memorial honors members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces, both past and present, with five 18-foot granite monoliths surrounding a 65-foot American flag pole with bench seating.
Historic Driving Tour
With 15 historical stops around Allen, the Allen Heritage Guild has organized a
driving tour of the city that includes many of the historic homes and locations that have shaped Allen.