Historical Tour Of Plano
1. THE INTERURBAN BUILDING
The Interurban Building
901 East 15 th Street
The Interurban Building served as a station on the Texas Electric Railway that linked Denison and Dallas from 1908 to 1948. Trains ran hourly from 6:00 AM to midnight. This is the only station remaining from the Sherman-Dallas segment of the line. A museum exhibit inside presents a history of the Interurban Line and Plano. A complete restoration of the building was finished in early 1990 by the City of Plano.
Proceed west on 15 th Street to Avenue H, turn north (right).
2. HAGGARD PARK
Haggard Park
Emma Bishop donated the land for Haggard Park to the City of Plano in 1928 in memory of her parents, C.S. & N.K. Haggard. The park was expanded and improved in 1986 to supplement Texas Sesquicentennial activities. The gazebo, fountain and trolley car are popular park attractions.
Proceed north on Avenue H.
3. PLANO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
PISD Building
This two-story brick structure with a raised basement housed the entire Plano Independent School District enrollment (K-12) between the 1920's and the early 1950's. Plano school enrollment is now over 33,000 students. This location has been the site of Plano schools since 1882. The first school burned in 1894; the second burned in 1903; the third was replaced by this building in 1924. The school auditorium (to the south) was built as a Works Progress Administration project in 1935-38.
Continue north on Avenue H, turn west (left on 16 th Street.)
4. THE W.J. CARPENTER HOUSE
W J Carpenter House
708 East 16 th Street
W.J. Carpenter was a prominent rancher when he moved to town and this home in 1901. Few modifications have been made to the exterior of this home.
Continue west on 16 th Street.
5. THE WETZEL HOUSE
Wetzel House
607 East 16 th Street
This Victorian era home was moved to this site in 1990 from a location on Avenue K. The home was moved by the City to save it from demolition. The current owners, who also own the Mitchell House, intend to restore the house to its original charm.
Return east on 16 th Street.
6. THE MITCHELL HOUSE
Mitchell House
609 East 16 th Street
This modest one-story Victorian era cottage is an excellent example of the simple frame homes common to early Plano. Current owners use this home for private parties and receptions.
Continue east on 16 th Street.
7. THE S.B. WYATT HOUSE
807 East 16 th Street
This one-story Bungalow style home was built around 1910 by one of Plano's early doctors, S.B. Wyatt. The front porch columns are designed in a unique fashion with a stacked wood pattern. The low-pitched roofs, broad overhanging eaves and numerous windows made this housing style particularly well adapted to hot Texas summers in the days prior to air conditioning.
Continue east on 16 th Street, turn north (left) on Avenue H.
8. THE ALDRIDGE HOUSE
Aldridge House
1615 Avenue H
One of the few remaining examples of early 20 th century (1907) architecture left in Plano. This four-square style home belonged to Charles Aldridge, and important landowner, cotton buyer, school board member, and representative of the Guaranty State Bank. He perfected a special variety of cotton that was widely planted throughout the Southwest.
Turn west (left) on 17 th Street.
9. THE MAGNOLIA HOUSE
Magnolia House
816 East 17 th Street
This simple Victorian cottage was built in the early 1900's. It was originally located on 14 th Street east of Avenue L, but moved to this site and restored in 1993.
Return east on 17 th Street.
10. THE MATHEWS HOUSE
Mathews House
901 East 17 th Street
This home was built by J.H. Gulledge in 1888-1890 and sold to the Mathews family in 1900. The Mathews ran a general store in Plano from 1895 to 1947. The decorative fish scale and diamond pattern shingles on the gables were covered by roofing shingles prior to the renovation of this house in 1992.
Turn north (left) on Avenue H.
11. THE LAMM HOUSE
Lamm House
1709 Avenue H
A more elaborate Victorian era cottage. The sunburst on the front gable and above the front door are typical features of homes from this era.
Continue north on Avenue H, turn east (right) on 18 th Street.
12. THE OLNEY DAVIS HOUSE
Olney Davis House
901 East 18 th Street
This two-story Victorian style home was built in 1890. Olney Davis was a prominent businessman, civic leader, and mayor of Plano. In 1899, he became the first president of the Board of Trustees for the Plano School System. The elaborate front porch columns were added in a later addition. The building was converted to office use in the mid-1980's.
Continue east on 18 th Street, turn north (left) on Avenue K.
13. THE WALL-ROBBINS HOUSE
Wall Robbins House
1813 Avenue K
The Wall-Robbins House was constructed in 1898. It is a fine example of single-story Victorian architecture. The restored interior includes two sets of pocket doors and five fireplaces.
Return south on Avenue K.
14. THE FORMAN HOUSE
1617 Avenue K
This property is the location of one of the oldest homes in Plano, built circa 1867. The Forman family was one of the first to arrive in Plano in the 1850's. They operated a local saw and gristmill.
Proceed southeast on Municipal Avenue.
15. MUNICIPAL CENTER
Municipal Center
1520 Avenue K
Municipal Center is located on what was originally the highest point of the city. The clock tower is visible from many points on this tour.
Turn east (left) on connector street to Avenue L. Turn south (right on Avenue L, then turn east (left) on 16 th Street.
16. THE CARPENTER-EDWARDS HOUSE
Carpenter Edwards House
1211 East 16 th Street
This two and one-half story Queen Anne style home was built in 1898. It was restored in the 1970's by former Mayor James Edwards and his family.
Turn south (right) on Avenue M, and turn east (left) on 15 th Street.
17. THE CARLISLE HOUSE
Carlisle House
1407 East 15 th Street
This two-story Prairie-style home was constructed in 1912 by Robert Abernathy. The home was the former residence of H.B. Carlisle, a local grocer and friend of Sam Rayburn.
Continue east on 15 th Street.
18. THE ROLLER HOUSE
Roller House
1413 East 15 th Street
This Queen Anne style home was built in 1901 by local architect and lumber dealer, A.G. McAdams. It later became the home of E.L. Rooller, one of Plano's early civic leaders. Mr. Roller added the columns to the front porch.
Return west on 15 th Street to the Downtown area.
19. PLANO NATIONAL BANK/IOOF LODGE
Plano National Bank Bldg
1001 East 15 th Street
This 1896 brick structure was given itss Art Deco style facade in 1936. The building housed the first bank chartered in Plano.
20. DOWNTOWN AREA
Downtown
The original brick streets were restored by the City in 1986 as part of the Texas Sesquicentennial celebration. The Downtown area has retained its historic flavor while attracting a unique mix of shops. Prior to 1900, several major fires devastated the area; the last major fire occurred in 1895.
Turn south (left) at fountain/plaza.
21. MOORE HOUSE/PLANO MASONIC LODGE
Mason Lodge
1414 Avenue J.
This two-story brick commercial structure was built in 1898 and altered with a stucco covering in 1925. It was originally built as the Moore House, a hotel catering to railroad travelers. Since then, as the Masonic Lodge it has served as the meeting place of civic organizations.
