Allen in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Stone Dam at Allen Station
Photographed By Mark Reynolds, June 14, 2011
1. Stone Dam at Allen Station Marker
Inscription.
Stone Dam at Allen Station. . In 1874, the Houston and Texas Central Railway Company was expanding north from Houston to Denison, Texas. Water stops were necessary along the route at 7 - 10 mile intervals to keep the steam locomotives going. At this location Irish immigrants constructed the stone dam you see, and later German immigrants maintained the water stop. The purpose of the water reservoir was to fill the water tower located along the railroad tracks just to the west. The foundation of the tower and the foundation of the pump house are still visible today. The section house where the workers lived is long gone.
In 1912, the railroads needed more water, and a larger dam was constructed just to the south on Cottonwood Creek, submerging this dam. In the 1960’s, the 1912 dam was breached, majestically revealing the original 1874 dam.
This railroad water reservoir dam is thought to be the only one left in the United States. The citizens of Allen are proud of the role Allen Station played in the development of North Texas.
In 1874, the Houston and Texas Central Railway Company was expanding north from Houston to Denison, Texas. Water stops were necessary along the route at 7 - 10 mile intervals to keep the steam locomotives going. At this location Irish immigrants constructed the stone dam you see, and later German immigrants maintained the water stop. The purpose of the water reservoir was to fill the water tower located along the railroad tracks just to the west. The foundation of the tower and the foundation of the pump house are still visible today. The section house where the workers lived is long gone.
In 1912, the railroads needed more water, and a larger dam was constructed just to the south on Cottonwood Creek, submerging this dam. In the 1960’s, the 1912 dam was breached, majestically revealing the original 1874 dam.
This railroad water reservoir dam is thought to be the only one left in the United States. The citizens of Allen are proud of the role Allen Station played in the development of North Texas.
Erected 2002 by Allen Heritage Guild.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location. 33° 7.018′ N, 96° 39.865′ W. Marker is in Allen
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, Texas, in Collin County. Marker can be reached from E. Exchange Pkwy. Behind commercial buildings at address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 E Exchange Pkwy,, Allen TX 75002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2011, by Mark Reynolds of Allen, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,478 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Mark Reynolds of Allen, Texas. 3. submitted on May 17, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
