Van Alstyne in Grayson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Collin McKinney
Fifty Feet North to Grave of
| | (April 17, 1766 - September 8, 1861) | |
Photographed by Gary Estep, circa December 20, 2025
1. Collin McKinney Marker
Restored Marker
In January, 1836, he was elected a delegate to the general convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos and there served on a committee of five that drafted Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. On March 2, he signed the document. He also served on the committee which prepared the constitution for the Republic of Texas. Later he served in the 1st, 2nd and 4th Congresses of the Republic. In private life, McKinney was a leader in establishing the first Disciples of Christ Church in Texas.
In 1846 he settled near the Grayson-Collin County line; this became his permanent residence. In 1792 he married Amy Moore; they had four children. He and his second wife, Betsy Leake (Coleman), by whom he had six children, are both buried in this cemetery.
Collin County and its seat, McKinney, were named in his honor. In 1936 the Texas Centennial
this page online
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 7400.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1836.
Location. 33° 25.215′ N, 96° 34.181′ W. Marker is in Van Alstyne, Texas, in Grayson County. It can be reached from the intersection of South Sherman Street and Austin Street. The marker is located in the central section of the Van Alstyne Cemetery along the center cemetery road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 South Sherman Street, Van Alstyne TX 75495, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. 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.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 29, 2022
2. The Collin McKinney Marker in the cemetery
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: American Legion Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Van Alstyne Cemetery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Interurban Rail (approx. 0.3 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne (approx. 0.3 miles away); Van Alstyne (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Umphress-Taylor Home (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Christian Church of Van Alstyne (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Van Alstyne.
Also see . . . McKinney, Collin (17661861). Texas State Historical Association - Handbook of Texas (Submitted on March 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, March 29, 2022
3. Closeup of the Collin McKinney gravestone
Photographed by James Hulse, March 29, 2022
4. The view of the Collin McKinney Marker from the center cemetery road
Photographed by James Hulse, March 29, 2022
5. Collin McKinney Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,025 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 8, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
