Van Alstyne
Van Alstyne is a railroad town that was created when the Houston-Texas Central Railroad made its way through North Texas in 1872. There are 2 stories about the name. One is that it was named for Mrs. Marie Van Alstyne, who was a big investor in the railroad. The more generally accepted story is that it was named for William Van Alstyne, who was a surveyor for the railroad.
When the railroad came through Collin County on its way to Sherman, Sherman and McKinney had paid the company a lot of money to get the railroad to go through those towns. The railroad company asked the early Collin County community of Mantua to pay for the railroad to go through the town. Mantua refused, saying that they were in a direct line between McKinney and Sherman so the railroad would go through there whether they paid or not.
The railroad passed about 1 mile east of Mantua, creating the towns of Anna and Van Alstyne. The town of Mantua disappeared. Its churches, stores and Masonic lodge moved to Van Alstyne. Many of them are still in existence.
When the railroad came through Collin County on its way to Sherman, Sherman and McKinney had paid the company a lot of money to get the railroad to go through those towns. The railroad company asked the early Collin County community of Mantua to pay for the railroad to go through the town. Mantua refused, saying that they were in a direct line between McKinney and Sherman so the railroad would go through there whether they paid or not.
The railroad passed about 1 mile east of Mantua, creating the towns of Anna and Van Alstyne. The town of Mantua disappeared. Its churches, stores and Masonic lodge moved to Van Alstyne. Many of them are still in existence.
ON THE WING
McKinney Weekly Democrat Gazette , March 21, 1901
contd
Mantua
On my way to Van Alstyne spent the night with my old friend Prof. W. C. Satterwhite of Callis, now teaching the school at Mantua. This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest school district in our county. Here, long years ago, a town was built and began to grow and prosper but alas! its days were numbered and like a certain King, saw the "hand writing on the wall." With the advent of the iron horse a new town sprang up and the rival village, now the pretty and hustling little city of Van Alstyne was the fortunate winner. But to resume, this school is small, rendered so by its proximity to the above city, and on account of the prevalence of smallpox, didn't begin until late in the season. Thirty-six enrolled, the attendance 33. The Professor and I are enforced bachelors and we always have a big time together. He is an old pedagogue with new ideas and up-to-date methods. The patrons are so anxious to retain him for another term that they propose to build a new and larger house to accommodate the increased attendance for next year.
Arriving in Van Alstyne I noted the wonderful growth and many changes since my last visit there, just ten years ago. Fine residences and large business houses that would be a credit to a town of larger pretensions, were everywhere. Of course I called at both newspaper offices and found brethren Rudolph and Fulton quite busy, each editing "the largest, the best and having a larger local patronage than any similar publication in the city," and they are. The News and Leader are model country newspapers run on lines of economy and strict business principles. Before bidding adieu, I called at the tonsorial parlors of Munger & Moss and Mr. Munger amputated my beard while waiting for my horse to rest. Just before the orb of day sank below the western horizon Weston loomed up in the distance and I stopped for the night with uncle Jimmie Caruth.
Postmaster Curtis is full of business and accommodations. Uncle Sam has in him a worthy and loyal citizen and the people of Weston appreciate his devotion to duty. To me, he was very obliging and kindly tendered me the use of his private desk for conducting my correspondence.
McKinney Weekly Democrat Gazette , March 21, 1901
contd
Mantua
On my way to Van Alstyne spent the night with my old friend Prof. W. C. Satterwhite of Callis, now teaching the school at Mantua. This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest school district in our county. Here, long years ago, a town was built and began to grow and prosper but alas! its days were numbered and like a certain King, saw the "hand writing on the wall." With the advent of the iron horse a new town sprang up and the rival village, now the pretty and hustling little city of Van Alstyne was the fortunate winner. But to resume, this school is small, rendered so by its proximity to the above city, and on account of the prevalence of smallpox, didn't begin until late in the season. Thirty-six enrolled, the attendance 33. The Professor and I are enforced bachelors and we always have a big time together. He is an old pedagogue with new ideas and up-to-date methods. The patrons are so anxious to retain him for another term that they propose to build a new and larger house to accommodate the increased attendance for next year.
Arriving in Van Alstyne I noted the wonderful growth and many changes since my last visit there, just ten years ago. Fine residences and large business houses that would be a credit to a town of larger pretensions, were everywhere. Of course I called at both newspaper offices and found brethren Rudolph and Fulton quite busy, each editing "the largest, the best and having a larger local patronage than any similar publication in the city," and they are. The News and Leader are model country newspapers run on lines of economy and strict business principles. Before bidding adieu, I called at the tonsorial parlors of Munger & Moss and Mr. Munger amputated my beard while waiting for my horse to rest. Just before the orb of day sank below the western horizon Weston loomed up in the distance and I stopped for the night with uncle Jimmie Caruth.
Postmaster Curtis is full of business and accommodations. Uncle Sam has in him a worthy and loyal citizen and the people of Weston appreciate his devotion to duty. To me, he was very obliging and kindly tendered me the use of his private desk for conducting my correspondence.