Although the city of Lewisville, Texas, was not officially incorporated until 1925, the area has been an important part of local history since the 1840s. Explore the local history of Lewisville at these historic sites.
Greater Lewisville Community Theatre
The Greater Lewisville Community Theatre was initially a dry goods store that was built in 1885. It also served as a community church at one time. Although recently renovated, you can still view some of the original architecture on the exterior, including a cast iron plate. Today, the community theatre provides entertainment and theatre education to the locals of Lewisville.
Old Alton Bridge
At first sight, the Old Alton Bridge might just look like any bridge. It was built in 1884 and connects the cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. The Alton Bridge once held horse and carriages and eventually automobiles, but today it is only open to pedestrians. You might also hear locals call the bridge Goatman’s Bridge. This name is often accompanied by haunted ghost stories. Many legends state that those crossing the bridge have spotted ghosts of previous residents. You can even take a historical haunted ghost tour through the local cities, including the bridge.
Tierney’s Cafe and Tavern
Today, Tierney’s Cafe and Tavern serves locals fresh food and cold drinks. Years ago, however, it was the home of Dr. J. W. Kennedy. There are rumors that Dr. Kennedy was the preferred physician for the famous duo, Bonnie and Clyde. Legend states that he was blindfolded as he was taken to their various hideouts when they needed medical care. Much of the original structure of the Victorian-style home stands today. The house has been converted into numerous restaurants, an antique mall, and most recently, a local favorite tavern.
Historical Homes
You can view a few of the original homes from the early days of Lewisville. Homes like the Resh House, Allen House, and Stockard House played an important role in early Lewisville history. You can tour these homes on an annual Old Town Holiday Home Tour. One of the homes, the Bays Home, has a fully restored Graham Brothers truck from 1923. You can also drive by and view the beauty of these restored houses. Just remember that there are people living in the homes, so always be respectful of their space.
The Flower Mound
The Flower Mound is a 12.5-acre area of land that is covered with thousands of wildflowers. The Flower Mound is estimated to have been created approximately 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. There are many myths surrounding the history of the Flower Mound. Many locals today enjoy visiting the mound to view the wildly free flowers in all their glory. There are over 400 different types of plants and flowers that cover the mound currently. For the best experience, visit during the spring months when the area is in full bloom.
The Lewisville area has a unique history that is filled with traditions and legends. Spend the day exploring the area at any of these local historical attractions.
Photo by TexasExplorer98 via Flickr | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original
August 9