Greenville in Hunt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Boom Town

Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

1. Boom Town Marker

Inscription. The arrival of the first railroad in 1880 brought with it an economic boom. By 1900, Greenville was the largest city in the area, boasting a population of 8,850, compared to Plano's 1,304, Rockwall's 1,245, and McKinney's 4,342. Only Dallas, with 42,638 residents in 1900, was larger.

The cotton trade brought people and money to Greenville. Retailers, hotels, manufacturers, and saloons all followed. Greenville even had a red-light district on east Lee Street! Local leaders and citizens no longer considered Greenville a settlement, but a city with modern electric service, a pressurized water system, and rumors of street paving. Steam trains took passengers to any point in the country with eight departures to Dallas daily. Plans for a streetcar system and an interurban rail line were underway.

Diversions included watching the deer roaming the grounds around Thomas King's Washington Street home, a buggy ride to the springs at Mineral Heights, or an evening at the King Opera House. Photographs of the period show prosperous men, sharply dressed in coats and ties with the occasional top hat. Women wore extravagant hats, fancy dresses or satin gowns, and often carried parasols.

Erected by Greenville Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings

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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 33° 8.397′ N, 96° 6.472′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Texas, in Hunt County. It is at the intersection of Lee Street and St John Street, on the right when traveling west on Lee Street. The marker is located along the side of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2608 Lee St, Greenville TX 75401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Bankhead Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton Made Greenville Great (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul Mathews Exchange Building (within shouting distance of this marker); That's Entertainment (within shouting distance of this marker); 1929 Hunt County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Seven Courthouses of Hunt County (about 300 feet away); To our Hunt County Heroes (about 300 feet away); Hunt County Courthouse Dedication (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

The view of the Boom Town Marker along the sidewalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

2. The view of the Boom Town Marker along the sidewalk

Boom Town Marker (left side of the building) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

3. Boom Town Marker (left side of the building)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.