The old Perry Family homestead.

The old Train Depot.

A new era was beginning for Carrollton with the arrival of railroads and a post office in the late 1800s. Carrollton quickly emerged from an agricultural community to a hub of bustling business and professional activity. The Dallas-Wichita Railroad arrived in Carrollton in 1879. By 1908, there were three railroads using Carrollton as a way station. The Cottonbelt and the Katy Railroads provided passenger service and maintained a depot while the Frisco Railroad only provided freight service. Prior to the 1940s, all significant commerce was by rail. The tracks of all three intersected just north of what is now the Carrollton Town Square. Having three railroads intersect was unique for this part of the country and contributed to Carrollton's early prosperity. With the coming of the railroads, Carrollton developed into a sizable shipping center, particularly for cattle. A depot was established in Carrollton, and daily mail was then available by rail. In 1922 the Texas Interurban Railway, an electric train, began passenger service in Carrollton for transport between Dallas and Denton. The first locomotive to the area was in 1923.

BACK TO THE SETTLERS!
These several hundred industrious families shared a dream of prosperity. They planted crops, raised cattle and sheep, and built homes and churches. One story told is about an early settler who came to scout the area before bringing his family to this area. He was so impressed with what he saw that he scooped up a handful of dirt to take back to his family to show them how rich the soil was for farming.

Another story with a different outcome is told about a family arriving from Europe. They were frightened by the sight of the longhorns and returned to Europe. Most settlers were farmers, but teachers, lawyers, preachers, and doctors also came to the area. Farming was the main form of occupation, but many professionals supplemented their income by farming and raising cattle. The settlers typically married young and had large families. An average cabin might have been only 12 x 14 feet and would hold two parents with seven children.

The 1850 Federal Census for Dallas County and its neighboring counties reveals that most families had migrated from another state before settling in the area. Although these early pioneers seemed to be nomadic, they found their roots in North Texas. During this time of settlement, newcomers were camping and building cabins in an area around present-day Perry Park. The rise of the land to the south provided a good lookout advantage, and the springs provided plenty of clear, fresh water. After the initial hardships of the journey and the first few years of settling in, life took on a normal routine for these Carrollton settlers. A list of menu items from a 1903 reunion of one of the first families is as follows:

TODAY�S CARROLLTON IS A HOT, RE-GROWTH AREA.

International Business Park, by Morrison Seifert Murphy.

Morrion Seifert Murphy received an honor award for the International Business Park in Carrollton, Texas. The jury quipped that the project had no right being that good. In addition to this, many other progressive projects have been completed in this growing city over the past few years.

The Square's formation began prior to 1900 with buildings erected that cultivated commerce and created the first downtown Carrollton. A fresh spring flowed through the center of the square where the gazebo now stands. The Square still has early 20th century charm and continues to be a focal point for many

Gravley Center. Completed 2003.

Historical structure in Old City Park.

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