Allen in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Locomotive

Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2026

1. Locomotive Marker

Inscription.
The Number 20 steam locomotive was originally built in 1910 by the American Locomotive Company for the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad. It was used to haul iron ore from Marquette, Michigan to the docks alongside Lake Superior. It was retired from service in 1969 and scrapped.

The Grand Canyon Railroad recovered No. 20 from the scrap yard, restored and used it for tourism. Upon its second retirement it was moved to the Rio Grand Scenic Railroad in Alamosa, Colorado. No. 20 along with its tender was purchased by the City of Allen and arrived in Allen on October 14, 2020 and placed on tracks here at the Allen Heritage Center.

The locomotive, tender and caboose was cosmetically restored and given the name Ebenezer Allen to honor the namesake of our city. Ebenezer Allen was granted a charter for a railroad company in Texas in March of 1848. That railroad became the Houston and Texas Central Railroad that came through Allen. It provided freight service for commodities such as cotton, grains, and produce; livestock; mail service and also for passenger service. The presence of the steam locomotive in Allen represents

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our railroad heritage with the coming of the Houston and Texas Central RR in 1874.

Erected by Collin County Historical Commission and Allen Heritage Guild.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1848.

Location. 33° 6.134′ N, 96° 40.184′ W. Marker is in Allen, Texas, in Collin County. It is at the intersection of Ash Street and E Main Street, on the right when traveling south on Ash Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 E Main St, Allen TX 75013, 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: Allen Heritage Center (a few steps from this

Locomotive and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2026

2. Locomotive and Marker

marker); Allen Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); The Allen Station of the Texas Electric Railway (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Allen Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Greater Moore’s Chapel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Outhouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Allen Colored School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chicken Coop (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Allen.

Photographed by James Hulse

3. Locomotive Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2026

4. Locomotive Marker

The view of the locomotive and caboose from the west side.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.