Page 22 - Plano, TX Heritage Preservation Plan

PRE-1840: PLANO’S NATIVE LANDSCAPE

Spanning from the beginning of the Pre-Columbian Era around 11,000 B.C. to when the first Anglo settlers began arriving in the
area around 1840, Plano’s early history is part of the greater historical context of North America, Texas, and the North Texas region.
Archaeological evidence suggests the first humans to occupy North America were nomadic hunters in search of mammoth and
bison, eventually becoming foraging societies who moved around on a seasonal basis. Native American settlements were later
established with long-distance trade networks developed to bring important tools and other items to the area. In the early 1500s,
the first Europeans came to Texas, exploring the area and claiming it for Spain. French explorers briefly claimed portions of Texas in
the late 1600s, encouraging Spain to increase its influence in the area through the establishment of Catholic missions. Mexico would
gain independence from Spain in 1821, followed by Texas independence in 1836. Plano as we know it today begins while part of the
Republic of Texas, with the arrival of the first known settler in 1840.

PALEo-INDIAN PERIOD
(11,000 B.C. - 7,000 B.C.)
ARCHAIC PERIOD
Nomadic humans were likely the first to have occupied North (7,000 B.C. - 700 A.D.)
Central Texas around 11,000 B.C., hunting large animals such
as mammoth and bison. Although no sites have been found in People of the Archaic Period were hunters, but also began
Plano, a site of Paleo-Indian culture has been found to the west, foraging. Evidence was discovered at a site in the southwest part
in the Elm Fork of the Trinity River in Denton County. of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex that suggests small groups
of these foraging hunters occupied an area for a short time,
probably moving seasonally. The most significant camps and
settlements in Collin County have been found in the watershed
of the East Fork of the Trinity River northwest of Lake Lavon.
C.

.
B Pre-Columbian Era (11,000 B.C. - 1500 A.D.)
000 1500

,
1
1
EVIDENCE OF
EARLY HUMANS
Evidence of early human life has been discovered in various
places across Collin County. In 1926, a human skeleton
was found placed in an upright position and thought to
be the remains of a Native American placed there before
the area was occupied by pioneer settlers. In 1933, another
skeleton was found with many arrowheads on the banks
of the Sister Grove Creek near Westminster. Finally in 1950, Blackland prairie
the excavation of a site under what is now Lavon Lake
uncovered a pit with chips of flint, burned limestone rocks, Much of North Central Texas used to be covered by millions
fragments of broken pottery, various sizes of arrows and of acres of blackland prairie. The ecoregion was home to
spear points, scrapers, and flaking tools made of antler herds of grazing bison and tall prairie grasses. In modern
tines. There were also grinding instruments, hoe blades Plano, what remains of the ecoregion is dedicated in nature
made of bison scapula, bones of fish and small game preserves - the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and the Oak Point
animals, fragments of edible roots, and a burial ground Park and Nature Preserve.
containing the remains of several people.

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22 CHapter 3: history of plano November 2018