Page 28 - Plano, TX Heritage Preservation Plan

1895-1920: PLANO PERSISTS

This period begins from the ashes of the downtown fires of the late 1890s. Downtown as we know it today begins to take form as
the community rebuilds new brick buildings and storefronts. Business is still primarily agricultural-related; however, the city begins
to modernize with the installation of new infrastructure. Many of Plano’s historic homes are constructed during this period.

OLD SPANISH
SCHOOL (1903)

After separating from the
city in 1899, the newly
independent Plano
schools contracted to
build a new 3-story, red
brick building that has
become known as the Old
DOWNTOWN REBUILDS Spanish School.
After the great fires of the late 1890s, Downtown
Plano began to rebuild. Specifically, brick was used in
construction, as seen in the photo of Mechanic Street 1,304
(15th) above.
POPULATION
Carpenter OF PLANO FIRE CODE
Wall-Robbins ADOPTED
Salmon
1895 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906
Depression of 1893

IOOF/Plano Will Schimelpfenig
Roller
National Bank,
Moore House/
Masonic Lodge Land for the city’s first Thornton Fannie Harrington
park, Harrington Park, George Chapel
was donated by the Hood
Mathews General Store Plano Fishing Club
W. D. McFarlin
Bagwill-Sherrill

Despite a fairly peaceful
environment, racial
segregation was
the general rule in
Plano throughout
the 19th and early
20th centuries. DOUGLASS COMMUNITY
(1900)
Around 1900, the African American community of Plano began to
establish itself in what is known today as the Douglass Community.
Plano Colored John “Bud” Thornton, whose house is at 900 13th Street, was a
School Opens successful businessman and one of the first African Americans to
(1896) purchase land in Plano.

Architecture Downtown Growth & Development Business Douglass Community Institutions Transportation and Infrastructure

28 CHapter 3: history of plano November 2018