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
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 1960s, 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: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location.
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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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Allen Water Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen (approx. Ό mile away); The Allen Station of the Texas Electric Railway (approx. 1.1 miles away); Allen Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Methodist Church of Allen (approx. 1.7 miles away); Lovejoy School (approx. 3.2 miles away); Forest Grove Christian Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Allen.
Photographed by Mark Reynolds, June 14, 2011
2. Stone Dam at Allen Station
Photographed by Kayla Harper, May 17, 2020
3. Stone Dam at Allen Station Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2011, by Mark Reynolds of Allen, Texas. This page has been viewed 4,096 times since then and 69 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.
