Van Alstyne in Grayson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Van Alstyne
Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, August 24, 2025
1. Van Alstyne Marker
The town of Mantua was established about 3 miles southwest of here in 1854. Mantua prospered but was unexpectedly bypassed in 1873 when the Houston and Texas Central Railway (H&TC) extended its track through this area instead. That year a depot was built and a post office established in the new town named for Maria Van Alstyne, the widow of W. A. Van Alstyne who had been a principal stockholder of the H&TC.
Churches, businesses, and people of Mantua and other area towns moved here to be near the railroad. Van Alstyne was incorporated and a newspaper established in 1883. Columbia College was founded in 1889.
Van Alstyne contained banks, schools, hotels, an opera house, a literary club, and electric service by 1900, when cotton and other farm production dominated the local economy. Interurban transportation began in 1908. The local "Grays" semi-pro baseball team, established about 1902, played for many decades and produced a number of major league players.
Many local businesses, churches, and social organizations trace their origins to Mantua and 19th century Van Alstyne. The historic downtown area, the former site of popular Saturday night social activities, continues as a business and social center.
Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11547.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 33° 25.338′ N, 96° 34.537′ W. Marker is in Van Alstyne, Texas, in Grayson County. It is at the intersection of Jefferson Street (State Highway 121) and Main Street, on the left when traveling east on Jefferson Street. Marker is in Dorothy Fielder Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Van Alstyne TX 75495, United States of
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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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Interurban Rail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Howe Lodge No. 430, A.F.& A.M. (about 600 feet away); Mantua Masonic Lodge No. 209. A.F. & A.M. (about 600 feet away); First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne (about 800 feet away); First Christian Church of Van Alstyne (approx. 0.2 miles away); Van Alstyne Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Campus of Old Columbia College (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Van Alstyne.
Also see . . .
1. Van Alstyne TX. (Submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. City of Van Alstyne Official Website.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 9, 2014
2. Van Alstyne Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 9, 2014
3. Van Alstyne Commercial District
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 9, 2014
4. Van Alstyne Commercial District
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 9, 2014
5. Van Alstyne Interurban Car Awaiting Restoration
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 9, 2014
6. Van Alstyne Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,301 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
