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Downtown
Plano
Photo
courtesy Mike
Price, November 2007 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Settlement began as early as 1845 when members
of the Peters Colony moved into the vacant prairie. Settlers had been killed by
Indians the year before, bit things calmed down thereafter.
Plano developed
around the store and businesses of Wm. Foreman in 1851 who operated the town’s
first post office out of his home. When the town applied for a proper post office,
Foreman, Texas was one of the names considered.
Dr. Henry Dye is credited
with suggesting the Spanish word Plano which was approved. Dye thought it meant
“plain” when it actually translates as “flat.” It’s a moot point since both words
applied to the local topography.
Incorporated and platted in 1873, the
town had to wait until 1891 for a school system. Plano was connected to Dallas
in 1872 when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad arrived. This progressive
milestone was crushed to gravel in 1881 when a huge fire reduced the town to ashes.
Most of Plano’s population was reduced to living in tents.
A second railroad
arrived in 1888, helping the town get back on its feet.
Plano’s population
was better-than-average in 1890 when it was a highly respectable 1,200. The two
railroads were supplemented by the more passenger-friendly Texas
Electric Railroad in 1908.
As late as 1960 Plano was still a farming
community of 4,000 people, but that was soon to change drastically. In 1970 with
an influx of job-seekers and the forcing out of farmers by oppressive land reappraisals,
Plano jumped to a population of nearly 18,000. Ten years later it had reached
72,000 people – most of them from Northern states.
The population was
reported as 128,713 for the 1990 census and Plano became the economic center for
Collin County. In 2000 the population was reported as 222,030. |
Plano
Texas Historic District |
Photographer's
Note:
Old downtown Plano is quite well preserved. It is mostly in a one
block area. This part of Plano had at least two major fires over the years which
destroyed many of the buildings. The new construction has been made to fit in
with the old structures and makes it appear to all be old. [Here are] some of
the old surviving buildings. I assume they are original. [There are] many modern
water towers across town. The old metal tower was removed many years ago and relocated
to the town of Murphy just to the east of Plano. - Mike
Price, November 29, 2007 |
Entering
Historic Plano
Photo
courtesy Mike
Price, November 2007 |
Downtown
Plano Buildings
Photos courtesy Mike
Price, November 2007 | |
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