Preserving & Promoting Allen, Texas
The Allen Heritage Guild is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving Allen’s history. Established in 1996 as a project of Leadership Allen Class VII, our objectives are to create a sense of community spirit by providing service and implementing projects that create a distinctively positive image of Allen, and to assure tomorrow’s heritage by recording past, recent and current milestones.
Allen Heritage Village
Allen Heritage Village is located on several acres of land in Allen’s old residential area on St. Mary Drive. The Village includes several of Allen’s oldest remaining homes, outbuildings and churches, which have been relocated and restored, forming a park where visitors can enjoy learning about Allen’s history from interpretive exhibits. Open Houses are held regularly, and the churches are available to rent for weddings and other special events.
Allen Depot
The Allen Depot is a repository of historic materials associated with the development of Allen. The public may use printed materials for research while visiting the museum. Permanent exhibits, photo collages and DVD programs relate the history of Allen. Rotating exhibits feature special topics of local interest. The museum is open every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Admission is free, and group tours are available by appointment.
Old Stone Dam
The most significant event that led to the formation of Allen was the construction of the Houston & Texas Central Railway from Denison through Allen to Houston in the mid-1870’s. The railroad greatly accelerated the growth of the area by facilitating the transport of people and agricultural products. Steam locomotives needed a new supply of water at ten mile intervals, which led to the construction of this water station and stone dam.
LATEST NEWS
Visit the Steam Locomotive at the Allen Train Depot
The Ebenezer Allen #20 Steam Locomotive is now fully restored and ready for visitors! This steam locomotive engine was first constructed in 1910 and was brought to the Allen Train Depot by Allen Parks & Recreation, Allen Heritage Guild and the...
Scavenger Hunt by Car
A limited contact Scavenger Hunt around Allen by car replaced Sam Bass/Railroad History Day in February this year. Participants used their GPS to find locations and received small items at each stop to remind them of places in Allen's history. Our...
Allen Texas, a HO Gauge Model Railroad
Melvin Richards, local Model Railroader and Allen Heritage Guild member, is working on revamping the HO model railroad that was donated to the Guild a couple of years ago. The model railroad sits in the Depot Museum, and the goal is to make the...
