Stroll along the route of Greenville's Historic Downtown Walking Tour for a glimpse into the activities and lifestyles of the people who settled our city and made it prosper. Main Street Markers feature stories that focus on historic topics (rather than tracing the history of particular locations). Learn why locals never tied their horses to lamp posts, how the water company proved the new plumbing worked, and why Elvis came to Greenville. Texas Historical Markers are site specific, that is, they tell the story of a building or a place. Find out why the county has had seven courthouses, where the first train steamed into town, and when local mail service began. National Register of Historic Places markers denote historic sites of national importance for their architecture or historical significance. Enjoy a walk through Greenville's history. A printed copy of this brochure can be obtained from any Downtown merchant. Numbers 1-14 indicate Main Street Markers Letters A-L indicate Texas Historical Markers   1 Streetcars (2808 Lee Street) In 1912, anyone with 5¢ could ride the trolley to Graham Park for a dance, a concert, or a visit to the zoo. 2 That's Entertainment (2712 Lee Street) National celebrities performed on stage at the King Opera House before the movies came to town. 3 Sharecroppers (2702 Lee Street) Whole families planted and picked the cotton crop, "sharing" the profit with landowners. 4 Cotton Made Greenville Great 2703 Lee Street The local economy depended on cotton after the railroads opened up out of town markets. 5 Boom Town (2610 Lee Street) In 1900, Greenville was the largest city in the area. 6 Hunt County Courthouse Dedication (2506 Lee Street) The dedication ceremony for the 1929 courthouse included "Living Statuary". The "statues" reappeared for the county's 150th anniversary celebration. 7 Lights On (2316 Johnson Street) The state's first municipally owned electric utility started generating power in 1891. 8 The Cotton Trade (2501 Johnson Street) Cotton drifted like snow around the courthouse square as buyers tested the fiber in farmers' bales. 9 Almost Pinckneyville (2402 Lee Street) The first name proposed for the Hunt County seat was "Pinckneyville" in honor of Texas' first governor, James Pinckney Henderson. 10 Greenville Streets (2218 Lee Street) Navigating local streets in wet weather was a challenge before streets were paved. 11 All Aboard (2304 Washington Street) After the first train arrived in 1880, Greenville grew from a sleepy village to a prosperous town. 12 Water Works (2527 Johnson Street) Hand-dug cisterns provided the city's first supply of water for fire fighting and household use. 13 Carnegie Library (2713 Stonewall Street) The city's first public library building opened in 1904. 14 Greenville Beats the Yankees (2714 Washington Street) The Greenville Majors made baseball history when they beat the New York Yankees in an exhibition game. A Greenville's First Railroad The Missouri, Kansas & Texas train that arrived at this depot on October 1, 1880 opened service by Hunt County's first railroad. MKT "Katy" Depot, 3102 Lee Street  (National Register of Historic Places) History of the Katy Depot B Greenville Herald Banner This newspaper, founded 1869, is the oldest business in Hunt County. 2305 King Street C Old Greenville Post Office Built in 1910, this building once housed the recruiting office where Audie Murphy enlisted. 2920 Lee Street D Greenville Building and Loan Association Site of the state's second oldest savings institution. 2900 Lee Street (marker is on west side of building) E Seven Courthouses of Hunt County Traces the history of the county's courthouses, from a log cabin to the present building Hunt County Courthouse. The history of the present courthouse completed in 1929. Both markers at northwest corner of courthouse lawn, Stonewall & Lee Streets (National Register of Historic Places) Note: The War Memorial west of the courthouse steps was once a drinking fountain F Hunt County This granite marker commemorates the founding of Hunt County. Southwest corner of courthouse lawn G Central Christian Church The towers and art glass in this 1899 Gothic Revival church building are a downtown treasure. 2611 Wesley Street (National Register of Historic Places) H First Baptist Church The congregation of this church has met since 1858 and founded 8 other local churches. 2703 Wesley Street I City of Greenville History of the city. Municipal Building, 2821 Washington Street Note: The bell in front of the building once called fire fighting volunteers from the city's first fire station, located on Stonewall Street. The Historic Downtown Walking Tour was created by The Greenville Main Street Project and The Hunt County Historical Commission to foster increased appreciation of our downtown area's colorful past.   {Home} {Location}  {Business Directory}  {Membership}   {Farmer Market}  {Main Street Concept}   {Historic Walking Tour}  {Calendar of Events} {Buildings for Sale} {Area Links} {Threadgill Concert Series} Friends of Main Street 3216 Washington Street Greenville, TX 75401 information@greenville-texas.com Copyright © 2001- Friends of Main Street All rights reserved   This page designed and maintained by  This page designed and maintained by Word Works Please report any problems to Webmaster