The Fastest Growing Small Town In Texas

McKinney, County seat of Collin County, was named after Collin McKinney a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a congressman for the Red River district of the Republic of Texas. The town was incorporated in 1848 and contains one of Texas' largest historic districts. McKinney has passed Frisco as the fastest growing city in Texas, growing from 15,000 in 1970 to over 115,000 in 2008. Downtown McKinney features more than 100 retail shops and a variety of restaurant around the historic courthouse square.

The beautifully restored Collin County Courthouse, built in 1875 and remodeled in 1927, is a multi-purpose facility including a working artist studio and art gallery.


This 1920's post card shows a view of the north side of the courthouse square. The building are still recognizable some 90 years later. The Ritz theater building is now a mini-mall(below).

an old bank building occupies the other end of the block.

You can see it on the left of this postcard from the 1930's. All the buildings on the east side of the square are still recognizable today.

The Midway Cafe, the white building in the mid block, was originally home to the First National Bank. It makes me wonder if it was a victim of the Great Depression of 1928.

Today it is occupied by an upscale store of indeterminable origin. Coffey's Drug is now home to the Londoner Pub. It's an authentic English pub located on the wide open plains of North, Texas. What a treat!

McKinney is full of surprises and is definately worth a visit. It's only thirty miles North of Dallas, but it's world away in smalltown feel.