Farmersville Commercial Historic District listed in National Register of Historic Places

Austin, Texas — The Farmersville Commercial Historic District was recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) assisted in the nomination of this district in recognition of its importance to local and state history.

Established in 1849 and incorporated in 1873, Farmersville began as a regional agricultural trading center and became a shipping point for cotton, cattle, and onions along the Missouri, Kansas and Texas "Katy" Railroad after 1881. The historic district includes commercial and civic buildings that reflect the historic character of the community from the 1880s through the 1930s.

The district’s centerpiece is a brick-paved public plaza along McKinney Street, and its streets are lined with historic commercial and civic buildings, many of which date to the late 19th century. Most of the district’s 52 historic buildings are one or two stories in height and are constructed of brick or stone. The district reflects the development of the city from a small rural settlement into a commercial center along the railroad line between McKinney and Greenville. The National Register listing also recognizes the architectural significance of the buildings within the district, as well as significant events, including the 1945 homecoming celebration for the city’s most famous son, Audie Murphy, upon his return to Farmersville as the most decorated American soldier of World War II.

“Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is both an honor, and a substantial contribution to the local economy through the state’s heritage tourism efforts,” said THC Executive Director Mark Wolfe. “The work completed by property owners, local preservation organizations, THC staff, and the THC’s professional review board results in an achievement that Farmersville can be proud of as they join our agency in saving the real places that tell the real stories of Texas history.”

The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of cultural resources deemed worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a federal program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect the country’s historic and archeological resources. The National Register includes more than 3,000 listings in Texas. Listing affords properties a measure of protection from the possible impact of federally funded projects, as well as access to technical expertise and grant funds to facilitate their restoration and preservation. Income-producing properties are also eligible for federal tax benefits for sympathetic rehabilitation work.

To learn more about the National Register of Historic Places, contact the THC's History Programs Division at512-463-5853 or visit www.thc.texas.gov.