Denison Texas: Main Street the Past, Present and Future.

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Denison Texas: Main Street the Past, Present and Future.

Denison, Texas has been called “Katy’s Baby,” the “Gateway City,” and the “Infant wonder” (“History of Denison”). Every name mentioned is an accurate description of the ever changing Main Street in Denison, Texas. Main Street has adapted to modifications for well over 100 years. Main Street has transformed, developed, faded and reinvented itself, all while maintaining vastly needed improvements. Denison’s Main Street is known for numerous historical events from the past, present and hopefully the future.

The city of Denison was named in tribute of George Denison, who brought the city into being (“Ancestors and Descendants”). Main Street started off as a wide dusty road filled with horses and buggies that gathered in front of old wooden saloons and business buildings. People dressed in attire of the 1880’s and Main Street was buzzing with people (see attachment 1). While Main Street and the town of Denison became known as a city of hooligans, the later establishment of local government helped put the city into existence (McLeRoy). During the 1880’s Main Street had a few firsts happen. The Security building located on Main Street was the tallest buildings in Texas at the time of its creation, and the Educational Institute was the first free graded public school in Texas (“Denison Texas First”). From 1910 to 1940 many events took place in the downtown, and Denison's Main Street had several well-liked hangouts. A specifically noteworthy establishment was Tony's Palm Garden, one of the most in style hangouts on Main Street. Anthony Giarraputo Sr. was the ingenious owner of the Palm Garden. He made candies, pastries, and he owned one of the first soda fountains in Denison. On ...

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...Mar. 2010.

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