McKinney in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Elm Saloon
Photographed by Gary Estep, November 15, 2025
1. Site of Elm Saloon Marker
The Elm Saloon opened about 1883 in a 2-story frame building at this site owned by T.O. Bower. According to an 1884 newspaper story gunfighter Frank James was arrested for his involvement in a fight in the Elm Saloon. By 1892 the saloon, named for a large elm tree near its entrance, was housed in a one-story stone structure. The saloon was located next to McKinney's only railroad passenger depot and by the early 1900s had become a local landmark known variously as the Elm Saloon, Rock Front Saloon, and Old Rock Saloon. The saloon was closed in 1902.
Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995
Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1465.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 33° 11.873′ N, 96° 36.682′ W. Marker is in McKinney, Texas, in Collin County. It is on East Virginia Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located along a row of empty buildings near the town's historic cotton mill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 350 E Virginia Street, McKinney TX 75071, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1911 McKinney Post Office (about 600 feet away, measured
this page online
Photographed by J Frye, May 1, 2020
2. Site of Elm Saloon Marker
Photographed by J Frye, May 1, 2020
3. Site of Elm Saloon Marker
Photographed by J Frye, May 1, 2020
4. Site of Elm Saloon Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2020, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,358 times since then and 144 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 16, 2025, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2020, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
