McKinney, Texas, Collin County seat. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Historical Marker:McKINNEY

Founded 1845 by Collin McKinney, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. In Civil War, Gen. J.W. Throckmorton (later a governor of Texas) organized McKinney's Co.K, 6th Texas Cavalry, an outstanding confederate fighting unit.
Manufacturing, trade and hospital center.

1963

McKinney, Texas

Landmarks / Attractions

Postcard circa 1908, courtesy THC

Photo courtesy Lexie Nichols and Jordan Gibson, December 2006

Photo courtesy Jo Payne � Pierce

Collin County History Museum, McKinney Texas 1911 former Post Office

The 1911 Post Office building
Now The North Texas History Center
300 E. Virginia St.
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, 2009

Historical Marker: SE corner of Chestnut & Virginia

1911 McKinney Post Office

Designed by architect J. H. Suttle, the 1911 McKinney Post Office is a characteristic and well-preserved example of an Italianate post office. The tile roof, ornamental columns, eaves and window configuration are common to the American post office after 1910. These elements and the three-bay arched recessed entry define the facade. The fourth post office to serve the area, the structure was deeded to Collin County by the federal government in 1959 and in 1982 became a Collin County museum.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1997

McKinney TX 1911 Post Office Historical Marker

1911 McKinney Post Office Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, 2009

Historical Marker: Finch Park off S. Benge Street, McKinney

Collin McKinney Home

Texas patriot and statesman one of committee of five that wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence, one of its fifty-nine signers, March 2, 1836. Served in House of Representatives, Republic of Texas. In recognition of his distinguished service the county and county seat of Collin County bear his name. Born in New Jersey, April 17, 1766. Died in this house, September 9, 1861.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962

Historical Marker: 1800 W. Hunt St., McKinney

First Christian Church of McKinney

This congregation was formed on April 1, 1848, when about 20 persons gathered to worship at the home of Nancy and Joseph Bryson Wilmeth (1807-1892). After a picnic lunch, the group journeyed about two miles south of the Wilmeth cabin to the new county seat of McKinney. Desiring that the first institution in the town be a religious body, they met at the present site of the courthouse square and formally organized the First Christian Church. Members worshiped first in an unfinished barn and later in Collin County's log courthouse. Lay preachers who conducted services included Wilmeth and James Sanford Muse (1804-1878), both of whom had studied under Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Christian Church. Members of this congregation erected their first church building in 1858 and shared the small frame structure with other denominations. In the tradition of the day, men sat on the side of the sanctuary and women of the other. Despite the hardships of frontier life and the chaos of the Civil War, this fellowship grew and flourished. In 1872 the Rev. R.C. Horn became the first full-time pastor. Members erected their second church building in 1897 and in 1970 dedicated the present facility.
(1978)

Historical Marker: 2000 W. White St.

First Presbyterian Church of McKinney

This fellowship was the first congregation in Collin county affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in the United States, a denomination established during the Civil War. Chartered with eighteen members, it was organized by the Rev. W.K. Marshall on September 27, 1874, at the home of Dr. E.N. McAuley, a prominent McKinney physician. James P. Nenney and W.A. Gossett served as the first deacons. The initial church building for the congregation was completed by 1876. A small frame structure with a steep roof and tall, narrow windows, it was located on the corner of Tennessee and Hunt Streets. An ornate tower housed the church bell, cast especially for the fellowship, which was donated by Z.P. Ranney and is still in use. Due to increased membership, services were held in the county courthouse prior to the completion of a larger church building on North Kentucky Street in 1899. Constructed of brick, the sanctuary served the congregation until 1966 when a new edifice was completed at this location during the pastorate of the Rev. Sam P. Riccobene. The chapel includes stained glass windows and interior furnishings from the 1899 sanctuary.
(1980)

Historical Marker: corner of Church and Lamar Streets, McKinney

First United Methodist Church of McKinney

This congregation originated in 1851 as a mission of the Dallas Circuit. At first it met in the county courthouse, Masonic hall, or a union church building. In 1858, it became center of the McKinney Circuit; erected in 1876 a building of its own; became an independent station in 1879. As a result of efforts begun by the Rev. E.L. Casey, this distinctive edifice was completed in 1901. The original steeple crashed in 1954 during high winds. Although altered and enlarged, this is the city's last ornate, turn-of-the-century church building.
(1977)

Mckinney, Texas Nearby Recreation

Lake Lavon - a 21,000-acre reservoir, with 4 parks
Lake Texoma - 11,000-acre reservoir, includes 18 miles of the Navidad River and 125 miles of shoreline
Wilson Creek Park (Towne Lake Recreation Area), east of US 75
McKinney Hotels › Book Hotel Here

Legends

Jesse James in Texas by Bob Bowman
In 1863, during the Civil War, William Clark Quantrill led his guerillas from Missouri to winter quarters in north East Texas. Among the men who rode with him were Jesse and Frank James...
The James boys also stayed in McKinney.. and circulated freely among the townspeople. They were looked upon not as outlaws, but as Confederate heroes. One incident in McKinney helped endeared the James boys with local people. When the federal government sent its agents to buy mules from East Texas, farmers who had to sell their mules to feed their families. Some 400 mules were bought and penned in McKinney. One night, the James boys took down the fence and freed all 400 of the mules. Many of them wandered home to their previous owners... more

Historical Marker: intersection of Hwy 5 and Telephone Road, N of McKinney

Ambush at McKinney

IN THE EARLY 1930s, THE BARROW GANG COMMITTED ROBBERIES AND OTHER CRIMES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ALTHOUGH THE GANG WAS INFAMOUS FOR ITS LEADERS, BONNIE AND CLYDE, TWO OTHER MEMBERS, RAYMOND HAMILTON AND RALPH FULTS, WERE EQUALLY DANGEROUS. IN 1935, AFTER BONNIE AND CLYDE HAD BEEN KILLED, HAMILTON AND FULTS ROBBED THE BEAUMONT ARMORY AND HID THEIR LOOT WITH A BOOTLEGGER NEAR McKINNEY. ON FEB. 24, 1935, THE TWO MEN DROVE THROUGH COLLIN COUNTY TO PICK UP THE STOLEN GOODS. AS THEY CROSSED A CULVERT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY NORTH OF McKINNEY, THEY WERE AMBUSHED BY COLLIN COUNTY OFFICERS. ALTHOUGH HAMILTON WAS SHOT, THEY BOTH MANAGED TO ESCAPE, ABANDONING THEIR STOLEN FORD COUPE IN WESTON.
2012

	The Ritz Theater in Downtown McKinney TE Photo2001

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