The history of Frisco Texas is found in a variety of sources compiled and cited below. If you have written or would like to author your unique Historical Perspective of the growth of Frisco Texas and desire to see it published here, please email us.

Frisco TX History from both
The Frisco TX Convention & Visitors Bureau Website and
The Frisco Economic Development Corporation Website

Frisco was born of western spirit as a tiny watering hole and whistle stop, first along the Shawnee Trail and then along the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad. It is from this railroad that "Frisco" got her name, during the days of massive cattle drives in the 1800's.

Settlers first came to this area while traveling the Shawnee Trail, following buffalo herds and camping near natural springs. The settlement of Lebanon (later incorporated into Frisco city boundaries) became an assembly point where cattlemen would meet and plan their trail drives.

As was the case with many cattle trails across the country, the railroad lines followed their pattern. It is only logical that the cattle trails would develop along the shortest, easiest paths to market.

The origin of the railroad that gave birth to Frisco began in 1849 in the state of Missouri. The Pacific Railroad Company was granted a charter to build a line from St. Louis to the western boundary of Missouri. Fifty-three years later, the line had become a part of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad.

With fewer and fewer cattle drives, businesses and residents began moving toward land with rail access. Some physically moved their houses from Preston Road to what is now downtown Frisco. T.J. Campbell literally placed his home on logs and rolled it into the city where it still stands as a historical monument.

By 1869, the laying of track, which would become part of the Frisco line, was completed in Texas. In 1902, one such line was completed from Denison to Carrollton through the center of what is now Frisco. Men at depot stations along the San Francisco line soon shortened the name to "Frisco".

In 1904, the people selected the name "Frisco City" for their town in honor of the railroad that founded the young city. It was soon shortened to "Frisco" and the rest is history.

Frisco TX History from the
The Handbook of Texas Online

Following Information Provided by Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "," http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/FF/hgf8.html

FRISCO, TEXAS. Frisco is on State Highway 289 and Farm Road 720 twelve miles north of Dallas in west central Collin County. It was originally named Emerson, after Francis Emerson, who owned the farm where the townsite was located. Emerson, a McKinney banker, had promised to place a national bank in the town if it was named after him, but the bank was never established. Because the name Emerson resembled that of Emberson in Lamar County the town was renamed Frisco City, in honor of the St. Louis, San Francisco and Texas Railway Company, popularly known as the Frisco system, when the post office was established in 1902. The town name was later shortened. Frisco was incorporated during the first decade of the twentieth century and augmented by an influx of residents of nearby Erudia and Lebanon, who wanted to take advantage of the railroad line. Originally a retail and shipping point for farmers, Frisco had a number of cotton gins and grain elevators and was the home of a Farmers Co-operative Gin Association. By 1914 the population was estimated at 1,000. The Reinbert Electric Company began service to the community in 1913. In 1924 Texas Power and Light bought out Reinbert and in 1955 constructed a 110,000-kilowatt generating plant just outside of town on State Highway 289. In 1921 the Lone Star Gas Company organized the Farmers Gas Company in order to supply gas to smaller towns, including Frisco.

The population grew steadily, from 618 in 1930 to 1,184 in 1960. In the 1970s, however, it increased rapidly, from 1,845 in 1970 to 3,499 in 1980. This increase was a result of the growth of Dallas and Plano, advancements in production of dairy products,qv small grains, and cotton, and new aeronautical production plants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Although still a retail point for farmers, Frisco gradually became a suburb of Dallas. In 1990 the population was 6,141, and the community had spread into Denton County. In 2000 the population had increased to 33,714.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Kathleen E. and Clifton R. St. Clair, eds., Little Towns of Texas (Jacksonville, Texas: Jayroe Graphic Arts, 1982). J. Lee and Lillian J. Stambaugh, A History of Collin County (Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1958). University of Texas Bureau of Business Research, An Economic Survey of Collin County (Austin, 1949). David Minor

A History of Frisco TX ~
Tells of Growth from Rich Soil and Good Farm Land
from the Official City of Frisco TX Website

By Bob Warren

Former Mayor of Frisco Texas

In February 1902, a town we now know as Frisco TX, was formed from the fertile black soil of west Collin County’s beautiful rolling prairie land. However, to get a true picture of the history of our City, we need to look much further back in time, perhaps to the early 1800s.

At least three vital ingredients were present in the birth of Frisco. An abundance of rich soil made excellent farmland, but two other things were needed, transportation and water. Let's see how these three ingredients worked together to grow the Frisco we know today.

Transportation

As with any successful city, transportation has been key to the development of Frisco Texas. Settlers first came to this area while traveling the Shawnee Trail.

In 1838 the Congress of the Republic of Texas appropriated money for the construction of a north – south road, there by opening northern Texas to trade. The Shawnee Trail from Austin to the Red River was followed for this route. This road, for which our Shawnee Trail Sports complex is named, ran through the heart of what later became the City of Frisco.

A military post near the Red River was named for Captain William C. Preston, a veteran of the Texas Revolution. The Shawnee Trail, which would ultimately become Preston Trail, then Preston Road, was used by wagon trains moving south bringing immigrants to Texas and by cattle drives going north from Austin. The town, Lebanon, then a thriving a cattle town and now a part of Frisco served as an assembly point for the cattle drives. South of this area in 1841, John Neely Bryan began the settlement of Dallas.

Next came another mode of transportation, the railroad, which gave birth to Frisco Texas. The origin of railroads in this area began in 1849 in the state of Missouri. The Pacific Railroad Company was granted a charter to build a line from St. Louis to this western boundary of Missouri. Fifty- three years later the line had become a part of the St. Louis, San Francisco Railroad. Men at depot stations along the line soon shortened the name of the line to “Frisco”.

Water

By 1869 the laying of track, which would become part of the Frisco line, was being completed in Texas. In 1902 one such line was completed from Denison to Carrollton through the center of what is now Frisco. The thirst of the steam locomotive brought the need of watering holes about every twenty to thirty miles. Since water was not as available on the higher ground along Preston Ridge, the Frisco Railroad looked four miles west to lower ground. There they dug a lake called Frisco Lake, on Stewart Creek to provide water, (the second ingredient in our growth story) for the engines.

Soil or Land

In 1902, what would eventually become Frisco Texas was a piece of land owned by the Blackland Town Site Company, a subsidiary of the Frisco Railroad. The property was subdivided into lots and sold to potential settlers. The auction, which was held on February 13 and 14, 1902, was advertised up and down the rail lines as far away as Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City. The sale also attracted residents and merchants from surrounding communities that had no rail access. Businesses and residents began moving here from Little Elm to the west and from Lebanon, which was seeing fewer and fewer cattle drives.

With the decline of Lebanon, some of the houses were physically moved from Preston Road to what is now downtown Frisco Texas. One was the T.J. Campbell home which was rolled on logs and pulled into Frisco where it now stands, a historical monument, at the corner of Main and Fifth Streets. It has become the home of Randy’s Steak House.

The settlement was first called Emerson, named for Francis Emerson, owner of the farm where the town site was located. However, when application was made for a post office under the name “Emerson” the application was refused. There was a town called Emberson in Lamar County, and authorities ruled that the names were too similar.

An existing post office called Eurida was transferred to the new town site from a community only two miles to the northwest. The postmaster, Tom Duncan, came along in the move. For some time the office continued to operate under the name Eurida.

Later, in 1904, the people selected the name "Frisco City" for their town in honor of the railroad that founded the young city. It was soon shortened to Frisco, and the Post Office Department approved the new name.

Water

Frisco became a thriving town, serving as a trade center for the surrounding farming community. It was not until 1908, however, that the residents elected to make their community an incorporated City. On March 27, 1908 the citizens elected their first municipal government which included four alderman, an alderman at large, a town marshal and Dr. I.S. Rogers, the town’s first physician and mayor. Dr. Rogers, for which Rogers Elementary is named, served as mayor the first three years of the City’s incorporated life.

The census of 1910, Frisco’s first, showed a population of 332 pioneers. By the next census in 1920, the count for Frisco Texas was 733, and the town’s population remained near that level through the 1950 census (736).

Quadruple digits were recorded in 1960 when the count showed 1184. Slow but steady growth continued in Frisco Texas, bringing the total to 3,499 in 1980 and 6,141 on 1990. The nineties ushered in a “population explosion” bringing an estimated 21,400 people as of January 1, 1997.

Today our three ingredients are still working to build Frisco. With 69 square miles of land (soil) within its boundaries the City is seeing a diversified crop produced. Where wheat, cotton, corn and feed once grew, we see people, houses, businesses, churches, schools, offices, and parks.

Frisco Lake served its purpose as a railroad lake (and a swimming hole), then went the way of the steam locomotive. But water continues to be a key factor in our growth. Once served by water wells, today we have a contract with North Texas Municipal Water District to furnish up to 29 million gallons of water per day. In 1996, we consumed as mush as seven million gallons per day, so the contract provides ample water for the future growth.

Though rail continues to be very important, automobiles and trucks, and how to keep them moving now claim our attention. Frisco Texas is blessed with a toll road and major State and Federal highways, but they all need to be completed or widened, new streets and thoroughfares are being built as fast as practical. Within the next three to five years an estimated $61.2 million is to be spent on highway, toll road, street and thoroughfare improvements within the City of Frisco.

The once small village of Frisco TX has reached perhaps adolescence. Its mother, the railroad, hardly recognizes her child. But, what of the future? The City’s Master Plan says when the City develops fully into its 69 square miles, it may house as many as 350,000 people.

We will be challenged to keep our ingredients in order!

History & Origin of the Frisco High School Mascot, Frisco TX
from the Frisco Independent School District Website

Frisco High School Mascot

The mascot originated in about 1924. As the students and staff discussed what the mascot should be, one of the students suggested that the mascot be named for his pet 'coon, and it stuck. The mascot is very clearly a raccoon, and 'coons was very much a colloquialism of the time. This unique mascot is a part of the recognized tradition and school pride that has been built in this community over the years. In March of 2002, the FISD Board of Trustees voted that the mascot officially be the full name raccoon and not its shortened version. It was felt that this keeps the traditions of the community intact, while also being sensitive to any concerns or the potential discomfort of current and future students. Their decision was based on one thing – that it was the right thing to do.

Our community also has another unique connection to the raccoon. The downtown water tower displays the logo that was for years used by the Frisco railroad. The city is named in honor of the railroad for which the town was founded.

The Frisco line logo originated in the late 1800s as a VP of the railroad company was making an inspection tour of the system. When he came to a station in Missouri, he saw a raccoon hide tacked on the depot to dry. The local station agent explained that he was trying to support a family and was supplementing his income by catching, tanning and selling these hides. The VP surprised the local agent by offering to and buying the hide.

Not long after, ink outlines of the tightly stretched raccoon hide began to appear on Frisco line drawing boards and it was turned horizontally. The words Frisco Line were inserted in the outline and that is how the corporate trademark was born. Although the words were shortened to Frisco, the 'coonskin logo remained the corporate fingerprint for over 80 years.

So, as you can see, the town has a very special relationship with this little critter.

Construction History of Frisco Texas Schools 1902 - 2006
from the Frisco Independent School District Website

Construction History of Frisco Texas Schools 1902 - 2006

As you skim the list below, consider the amount of master planning and work involved in the growth of our Frisco TX Schools since 1990.

• 1902 Two-story, four room frame structure built for $2,000
• 1912 Three-story brick structure on Maple Street completed
• 1922 Two-story building on Maple Street was built for $22,000
• 1935 Three story building on Maple Street demolished
• 1939 New facility on Maple Street completed by WPA, 39,875 s.f. for $95,000
• 1963 Bond issue of $220,000 passed to build Z. T. Acker Elementary
• 1964 Z. T. Acker Elementary completed, 38,217 s. f.
• 1966 Classrooms added to Z. T. Acker Elementary
• 1973 Playroom addition to Z. T. Acker Elementary
• 1973 Bond issue of $1,210,000 passed and new high school was built on Coon Lane, 69,000 s. f.
• 1981 Gym expansion to Z. T. Acker for $1,185,000, ready for classes
• 1982-83, 44,211 s.f.
• 1986 I. S. Rogers Elementary completed, 48,816 s. f.
• 1987 Auditeria/Fine Arts addition to Frisco High School, 23,340 s. f.
• 1991 Classroom addition to I. S. Rogers Elementary, 15,080 s. f.
• 1994 Z. T. Acker Elementary remodeled
• 1995 Claude Curtsinger Elementary completed, 52,868 s. f.
  
  
• 1996 Additions to Claude Curtsinger Elementary, 10,000 s. f.
• 1996 Frisco High School on Parkwood completed, 124,771 s. f
• 1996 Renovations/Additions to old high school, becoming Benton A. Staley Middle School
  
• 1997 Renovations to two-story building on Maple Street, becoming Administration Building
• 1997 Noel A. Smith Elementary completed, 62,350 s. f.
• 1997 Renovations and additions to Agriculture Science Project Barn
  
  
• 1998 Addition to Frisco High School, 55,311 s. f.
  
  
• 1999 Naoma & M. Allen Anderson Elementary completed, 63,069 s. f.
• 1999 J. W. & Ruth Christie Elementary completed, 63,069 s. f.
  
  
• 2000 Adelle Clark Middle School completed, 132,200 s. f.
• 2000 Shawnee Trail Elementary completed, 63,943 s. f.
• 2000 Maple Street Complex renovated for additional administrative areas and Student Opportunity Center
  
  
• 2001 Acker Special Programs Center renovated
• 2001 Ruth Borchardt Elementary completed, 72,000 s. f.
• 2001 Ida Lee Bright Elementary completed, 68,000 s. f.
• 2001 Wilma Fisher Elementary completed, 68,000 s. f.
• 2001 Frisco Memorial Stadium Press Box and Turf
  
  
• 2002 Bessie Ely Gunstream Elementary completed, 71,555 s. f.
• 2002 Pioneer Heritage Middle School completed, 137,245 s. f.
• 2002 Izetta Sparks Elementary completed, 71,555 s. f.
• 2002 Otis Spears Elementary completed, 71,555 s. f.
• 2002 Cal & Walt Wester Middle School completed, 137,245 s. f.
  
  
• 2003 Centennial High School completed (All Buildings) (333,212 Sqft)
• 2003 Jessie Marie Riddle Elementary School completed (74,824 Sqft)
• 2003 Mary M. Boals Elementary School completed (74,824 Sqft)
• 2003 Six Classroom additions to Curtsinger, Fisher, Anderson and Smith Elementary Campuses (~8,000 Sqft Each)
• 2003 FISD Natatorium (38,871 Sqft)
  
  
• FISD Service Center and Warehouse
  2004 Phase I (24,377 Sqft)
  2004 Phase II (18,866 Sqft)
  2005 Phase III (7,980 Sqft)
  
  
• 2004 Bert and Eloise Isbell Elementary School (76,816 Sqft)
• 2004 Bennett and Alma Griffin Middle School (138,651 Sqft)
• 2004 Six classroom additions to Bright, Christie and Shawnee Trail Elementary Campuses (~7500 Sqft Each)
• 2004 Memorial Fieldhouse and Athletic Offices renovation (3,600 Sqft)
  
  
• 2005 FISD Administrative Annex (20,740 Sqft)
• 2005 Calvin Bledsoe Elementary (7,6816 Sqft)
• 2005 Dr. Erwin G. and Elizabeth Pink Elementary (75,904 Sqft)
• 2005 Lucille Rogers Ashley Elementary (75,904 Sqft)
• 2005 Sam and Ann Roach Middle School (138,651 Sqft)
• 2005 Pizza Hut Park (FISD partner in this soccer/football/entertainment complex) Dr. Erwin G. Pink Field is for FISD exclusive use and located is on this site.
  
  
• 2006 Wakeland HS (All Buildings) (338,806 Sqft)
• 2006 Weldon Corbell Elementary (75,904 Sqft)
• 2006 Portia Taylor Elementary (75,904 Sqft)
• 2006 Pat and Catherine Fowler Middle School (138,651 Sqft)
• 2006 Isabel Pierce Sem Elementary School (75,904 Sqft)
• 2006 Dr. J.M. Ogle Elementary (75,904 Sqft)

Frisco TX on Wikipedia

Use Original Websites for City of Frisco Texas History

When researching the History of Frisco Texas, you should always read and reference the original information found on the original websites. They may have updated or modified their site or contents. Clicking on a Blue Highlighted name will directly open that website page in a new browser window.

Collin County TX, Denton County TX, and Frisco Independent School District FISD Websites are excellent sources of information. All other websites, including ours, may contain outdated or incorrect information on the City of Frisco TX real estate, new home construction developments and existing homes for sale code modifications.