Community list Barksdale Bethany Hominyville Plano Area Churches Plano Area Cemeteries Plano High School
Rowlett West Plano Area Cemeteries Shepton Sleepy Hollow Farmers Gin Co. Shepard Mule Barn Plano Star Courier Plano National Bank Plano Debating Society Carlisle Grocery Plano HTC Station Plano Interurban Schimelpfenig Store Aldridge House Carpenter House Clark House Coit House Olney Davis House Foreman House George House Hood House Lamm House Magnolia House S. J. Matthews House Mitchell House Mormon House Robbins House Roller House Ben Thomas House Wm. Wells House Ammie Wilson House S. B. Wyatt House John Young House
Plano Masonic Lodge
Rowlett West Plano Area Cemeteries Shepton Sleepy Hollow Farmers Gin Co. Shepard Mule Barn Plano Star Courier Plano National Bank Plano Debating Society Carlisle Grocery Plano HTC Station Plano Interurban Schimelpfenig Store Aldridge House Carpenter House Clark House Coit House Olney Davis House Foreman House George House Hood House Lamm House Magnolia House S. J. Matthews House Mitchell House Mormon House Robbins House Roller House Ben Thomas House Wm. Wells House Ammie Wilson House S. B. Wyatt House John Young House
Plano Masonic Lodge
Plano
Plano Water Department on Spring Creek
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OLD DOWNTOWN PLANO
City Historical Marker Old downtown Plano was started in 1852 by Eli Murphy, a storekeeper, and grew along the wagon road (Ave. K). In 1872, the H. & T. C. Railway came through bringing incorporation (1873) and further growth. The entire downtown burned in 1881, but the town rebuilt. The St. Louis, Arkansas, and Texas Railway came through in 1887 (also known as the Cotton Belt), and a national bank was opened. In 1895 and 1897, much of downtown burned again. By the 1890's, the town was a cotton and grain center. In 1957, Lavon water and Central Expressway arrived here and Plano began to change from an agricultural community to an urban center. In `96`, Plano became a Home Rule city. |
LETTER FROM PLANO
Plano, Texas, March 16th, 1880
Editor Enquirer
If it makes you smile to hear from Plano, just smile away; but I tell you it's not any time for smiling now with farmers or stockmen, who have 100 head or so of cattle and most out of feed. Another by at Mr. Clint Haggards. They say Clint has had a smile on his face until his wife and neighbors are uneasy. Candidates are now coming around; I would as soon see them as a book agent; but come along boys, father Russell and I are both old enough to vote and if we don't vote for you we may against you. Our old friend Luther Curtis give me a little dog - he lives on the Muncey survey on Rowlett's creek, near where the Muncey family were murdered by the Indians in 1844.1 took dinner with them a few days ago- had a splendid dinner. Mr. Curtis was out of pies, but had splendid egg custards and apple preserves. Mr. Curtis keeps his sweet potatoes in a cellar; let's all dig us a cellar. My little boys are trapping for birds today. I used to trap for birds and varmints in old Virginia when a boy. I'm fearful oats are ?. This is a hard spell for March. I was looking for it when January was so lovely. If the fruit crop was not too far advanced we will have fruit this year. Next Saturday they vote for local option in Piano; both sides claim it. We are glad to see John Johnson's card. Come right along Johnson, we believe you are the farmer's friend; we have many other good men but can't vote for them all. Old Mr. Skiles, near Richardson, died a few days ago; he was a good citizen, highly esteemed by those who knew him. Temperance society organized in Piano a few nights ago; twenty-one prominent citizens joined the first night. Chickens most all dead with cholera. We haven't heard from Bear Creek schoolhouse for some time.
Since the above was written I have examined my oat crop and think they are not injured; though the corn that is in the ground is likely to stay there. Mr. Brock's son, who left some time ago rather mysteriously, made his way back to Missouri, to his friends. He walked to Rockwall the first day; from there to Terrell, and there took the train and worked his way through. Mr. H. C. Overaker buys more cotton than any man in Piano. With respect, R. H. B.
LETTER FROM PLANO
Plano, Texas, Oct. 4th, 1880
Editor Enquirer:
Feeling as I do, that Plano is head quarters, and many want to hear from here, I give you a few dots. Health good. As I sit here and write, the Autumn winds sigh round the corners of the house and whistle through the tree tops, and the yellow leaves are fast falling to the ground, all remind us that another summer is past and the melancholy days of fall are upon us and very soon they will glide by and make room for bold winter.
Cotton is turning out better than was expected. Corn is so plentiful and cheap that every old rogueish cow is going to be fed. Cornfed beef will be cheap. Somebody will be hurt feeding this winter. There is no one believes Joe Foreman and Oscar Flack took Abe Enloe's beef hide. Thanks to Dr. Feland for a silver mounted walking cane. It brings me back to my boyhood days, when we first met in Collin county and the Comanche Indians were our neighbors. Dr. Feland was the first physician who ever practiced medicine in Collin county. Doc. I often think of your fine home surrounded with forest trees. Judge Andrews made me a present of a hive of bees for the benefit of the Methodist church at Piano. I will be after it soon. Now Judge, I want it full of honey. I went to Fannin county a short time ago, got two loads of apples and had a nice time eating pies. I was pleased to see a communication from our much esteemed J. J. Thompson. Hope we will hear from him [lost]
LETTER FROM PLANO
Plano, Tex Dec. 19, '81
Editor Enquirer:
The year 1881 is most gone - soon 'twill be numbered with the things that were.
I have been absent from home some time, therefore am not posted in regard to Plano news.
The coming Christmas will be my 37th year spent in Collin county. I crossed Red River the 17th day of Dec., 1845, at old Warren's, in the company with my father and mother; also, father and mother Russell. My father died in 1876, at the age of 89; my mother, the same year, at the age of 82; mother Russell in 1877, at the age of 72, and father Russell in 1881, at the age of 81. Rev. Wm. Allen, of Bethel, will preach the funeral of Joseph Russell, at the Methodist Church in Piano, Sunday, January 1st 1882.
Rev. John W. Chalk is appointed on the Plano Circuit for the coming year, where many of his old friends will welcome him.
We have had a very mild, warm winter. Stock looking well; wheat and oat pasture never better.
I bought five colts of Mr. G. W. Barnett, sired by the famous old Blackhawk, of Plano, so long owned by Capt. Joe Foreman. I am to have them on exhibition at the next fair.
Mr. Luke Recer sold two sorrell mules recently to Mr. J. Bowman for $300.
When I looked out over Texas, thirty-seven years ago, at her rich rolling prairies, then one broad open prairie, and look at it now, what a change! All fenced and mostly in cultivation, and dotted over with some neat little cottage homes and good barns. There is no telling what old Texas is destined to rise to yet - now linked by railroad from the Atlantic to the Pacific - then about 30 voters; now 5,000! As the year draws near to a close it reminds me of when I first came to Texas, when I was well nigh through my teens. How many of Steps' and Fitzhugh's company are there in Collin county? Where is John Gray, the ranger, Bill Biles, substitute? Sam Pritchet, the bugler, is gone with many others. I'm looking for Tom McDonald, George and Bill Fitzhugh, Doc Franklin, Doc Felan and Aif Chanler, Fount Vance and Jim Graves to visit me. I don't believe a better set of men ever baked an ash cake, or roasted bear meat than the early settlers of Collin county. Where is our friend, Geo. White? Is he eating fish at Elm Grove?
I do think Doc. Foote and I. D. Newsom might have sent me a venison ham.
I'm fixing to run that foot race with Adam Hedgecoxe, I. D. Newsom and Dr. Foote,
We are needing cold weather - I mean hog killing weather.
What has become of our correspondents at Rock Hill, Bear Creek school house and Lebanon?
Our bachelors, Loveless, Flack and Matthews, about 55, are fixing to make a change, and what a change it will be.
I will here say this has been a strange season-the coldest and the hottest, the wettest and dryest.
Christmas tree at Plano Christmas Eve. A merry time for the old and young folks.
Capt. W. N. Bush remarked the other day that over half of the old settlers had passed away in twenty-five years.
Plano is fast building up with brick buildings.
Christmas gift to the ENQUIRER. It has never faltered or turned from its straight forward old Democratism, true to its cause. Well might we be proud of such a county paper. R. H. B.
LETTER FROM PLANO
Plano, Tex., Feb. 20, '82.
Editor Enquirer:
Weather warm and wet. Wheat looks fine. Too wet to sow oats; some are mudding them in. I hear it round and round that there is three cases of small-pox at Dr. Stancel's in Plano. The roads are worse than they have been since Jim Ned and Spotted Tail left the range. There has been a fast cattle buyer about Plano, lately, paying form $25 to $60 a head, for cotton seed fed as well as corn fed. Mr. Wash Ford, of upper Lazy Neck, sold his short horn bull, weighed him at Plano; he pulled down 1755 pounds. I have two nice half-breed bulls I want to sell. I went up on the 11 o'clock train and down on the 3 o'clock; was in town only a short time; long enough to meet some old friends; Mr. James Herndon; one whom I have known from '45 all up to '82; and in the court house hall I was greeted by Judge Goodner, Wilkins and Kerr. I am engaged in setting out an orchard in Dallas county; have set out about 120 fruit trees, apples, peaches, plums, apricots; total 1000.200 vines blackberry's and grapes, mostly from Messrs. Kerr and Kirkpatrick's nursery, of Collin county. I have a high, rich sandy location. Turnip greens and chicken pie for dinner to-day. Plenty of fish in my lake on Elm. Good men are coming to Plano now. R. H. B.
Plano, Texas, March 16th, 1880
Editor Enquirer
If it makes you smile to hear from Plano, just smile away; but I tell you it's not any time for smiling now with farmers or stockmen, who have 100 head or so of cattle and most out of feed. Another by at Mr. Clint Haggards. They say Clint has had a smile on his face until his wife and neighbors are uneasy. Candidates are now coming around; I would as soon see them as a book agent; but come along boys, father Russell and I are both old enough to vote and if we don't vote for you we may against you. Our old friend Luther Curtis give me a little dog - he lives on the Muncey survey on Rowlett's creek, near where the Muncey family were murdered by the Indians in 1844.1 took dinner with them a few days ago- had a splendid dinner. Mr. Curtis was out of pies, but had splendid egg custards and apple preserves. Mr. Curtis keeps his sweet potatoes in a cellar; let's all dig us a cellar. My little boys are trapping for birds today. I used to trap for birds and varmints in old Virginia when a boy. I'm fearful oats are ?. This is a hard spell for March. I was looking for it when January was so lovely. If the fruit crop was not too far advanced we will have fruit this year. Next Saturday they vote for local option in Piano; both sides claim it. We are glad to see John Johnson's card. Come right along Johnson, we believe you are the farmer's friend; we have many other good men but can't vote for them all. Old Mr. Skiles, near Richardson, died a few days ago; he was a good citizen, highly esteemed by those who knew him. Temperance society organized in Piano a few nights ago; twenty-one prominent citizens joined the first night. Chickens most all dead with cholera. We haven't heard from Bear Creek schoolhouse for some time.
Since the above was written I have examined my oat crop and think they are not injured; though the corn that is in the ground is likely to stay there. Mr. Brock's son, who left some time ago rather mysteriously, made his way back to Missouri, to his friends. He walked to Rockwall the first day; from there to Terrell, and there took the train and worked his way through. Mr. H. C. Overaker buys more cotton than any man in Piano. With respect, R. H. B.
LETTER FROM PLANO
Plano, Texas, Oct. 4th, 1880
Editor Enquirer:
Feeling as I do, that Plano is head quarters, and many want to hear from here, I give you a few dots. Health good. As I sit here and write, the Autumn winds sigh round the corners of the house and whistle through the tree tops, and the yellow leaves are fast falling to the ground, all remind us that another summer is past and the melancholy days of fall are upon us and very soon they will glide by and make room for bold winter.
Cotton is turning out better than was expected. Corn is so plentiful and cheap that every old rogueish cow is going to be fed. Cornfed beef will be cheap. Somebody will be hurt feeding this winter. There is no one believes Joe Foreman and Oscar Flack took Abe Enloe's beef hide. Thanks to Dr. Feland for a silver mounted walking cane. It brings me back to my boyhood days, when we first met in Collin county and the Comanche Indians were our neighbors. Dr. Feland was the first physician who ever practiced medicine in Collin county. Doc. I often think of your fine home surrounded with forest trees. Judge Andrews made me a present of a hive of bees for the benefit of the Methodist church at Piano. I will be after it soon. Now Judge, I want it full of honey. I went to Fannin county a short time ago, got two loads of apples and had a nice time eating pies. I was pleased to see a communication from our much esteemed J. J. Thompson. Hope we will hear from him [lost]
LETTER FROM PLANO
Plano, Tex Dec. 19, '81
Editor Enquirer:
The year 1881 is most gone - soon 'twill be numbered with the things that were.
I have been absent from home some time, therefore am not posted in regard to Plano news.
The coming Christmas will be my 37th year spent in Collin county. I crossed Red River the 17th day of Dec., 1845, at old Warren's, in the company with my father and mother; also, father and mother Russell. My father died in 1876, at the age of 89; my mother, the same year, at the age of 82; mother Russell in 1877, at the age of 72, and father Russell in 1881, at the age of 81. Rev. Wm. Allen, of Bethel, will preach the funeral of Joseph Russell, at the Methodist Church in Piano, Sunday, January 1st 1882.
Rev. John W. Chalk is appointed on the Plano Circuit for the coming year, where many of his old friends will welcome him.
We have had a very mild, warm winter. Stock looking well; wheat and oat pasture never better.
I bought five colts of Mr. G. W. Barnett, sired by the famous old Blackhawk, of Plano, so long owned by Capt. Joe Foreman. I am to have them on exhibition at the next fair.
Mr. Luke Recer sold two sorrell mules recently to Mr. J. Bowman for $300.
When I looked out over Texas, thirty-seven years ago, at her rich rolling prairies, then one broad open prairie, and look at it now, what a change! All fenced and mostly in cultivation, and dotted over with some neat little cottage homes and good barns. There is no telling what old Texas is destined to rise to yet - now linked by railroad from the Atlantic to the Pacific - then about 30 voters; now 5,000! As the year draws near to a close it reminds me of when I first came to Texas, when I was well nigh through my teens. How many of Steps' and Fitzhugh's company are there in Collin county? Where is John Gray, the ranger, Bill Biles, substitute? Sam Pritchet, the bugler, is gone with many others. I'm looking for Tom McDonald, George and Bill Fitzhugh, Doc Franklin, Doc Felan and Aif Chanler, Fount Vance and Jim Graves to visit me. I don't believe a better set of men ever baked an ash cake, or roasted bear meat than the early settlers of Collin county. Where is our friend, Geo. White? Is he eating fish at Elm Grove?
I do think Doc. Foote and I. D. Newsom might have sent me a venison ham.
I'm fixing to run that foot race with Adam Hedgecoxe, I. D. Newsom and Dr. Foote,
We are needing cold weather - I mean hog killing weather.
What has become of our correspondents at Rock Hill, Bear Creek school house and Lebanon?
Our bachelors, Loveless, Flack and Matthews, about 55, are fixing to make a change, and what a change it will be.
I will here say this has been a strange season-the coldest and the hottest, the wettest and dryest.
Christmas tree at Plano Christmas Eve. A merry time for the old and young folks.
Capt. W. N. Bush remarked the other day that over half of the old settlers had passed away in twenty-five years.
Plano is fast building up with brick buildings.
Christmas gift to the ENQUIRER. It has never faltered or turned from its straight forward old Democratism, true to its cause. Well might we be proud of such a county paper. R. H. B.
LETTER FROM PLANO
Plano, Tex., Feb. 20, '82.
Editor Enquirer:
Weather warm and wet. Wheat looks fine. Too wet to sow oats; some are mudding them in. I hear it round and round that there is three cases of small-pox at Dr. Stancel's in Plano. The roads are worse than they have been since Jim Ned and Spotted Tail left the range. There has been a fast cattle buyer about Plano, lately, paying form $25 to $60 a head, for cotton seed fed as well as corn fed. Mr. Wash Ford, of upper Lazy Neck, sold his short horn bull, weighed him at Plano; he pulled down 1755 pounds. I have two nice half-breed bulls I want to sell. I went up on the 11 o'clock train and down on the 3 o'clock; was in town only a short time; long enough to meet some old friends; Mr. James Herndon; one whom I have known from '45 all up to '82; and in the court house hall I was greeted by Judge Goodner, Wilkins and Kerr. I am engaged in setting out an orchard in Dallas county; have set out about 120 fruit trees, apples, peaches, plums, apricots; total 1000.200 vines blackberry's and grapes, mostly from Messrs. Kerr and Kirkpatrick's nursery, of Collin county. I have a high, rich sandy location. Turnip greens and chicken pie for dinner to-day. Plenty of fish in my lake on Elm. Good men are coming to Plano now. R. H. B.
