Palette of Images: March 2020

The city of Allen has some of the most beautiful trails in Collin County.
Cottonwood Creek Trail is a 7.5 mile trail that runs through wooded areas, parks, and residential neighborhoods. Heading out from the northern end of the trail from Hwy 121, the trail takes you through towering trees lining Cottonwood Creek that evokes an East coast feel. It continues across busy Stacy Road and the terrain changes to the familiar Texas prairie landscape as it approaches the US-75 underpass.

Past US 75, the trail traverses through a small tract of wooded land before reaching an old unused railroad. This is a high point of the trail, especially for the photo buffs who will enjoy the vibrant graffiti backdrop on the posts and structure supporting the railroad. If you are athletically inclined, you can also climb up to the railway track for some cute albeit cliched pictures.

Cottonwood Creek trail continues from the abandoned railroad to take you to the Allen Stone Dam - a landmark site and a tribute to Allen's early history and growth. The Allen Stone Dam was constructed in 1874 by the Houston and Texas Central Railway Company to provide water supply to steam locomotives. Subsequently a larger dam was constructed near what is now Exchange Parkway to service more rail traffic and the old dam was submerged and forgotten. Flood waters eventually breached the higher dam and lowered the water level which revealed the old stone structure. The Dam is designated as a Texas State Archaeological landmark and listed on the National Register of historic places.

From Allen Station the trail takes on an urban path along soft ball fields, a skateboard park, and eventually ends at the Allen Heritage Village.

So, next time, when you have guests and are wondering how to entertain them don't forget that you can provide them with a a glimpse into our very own bit of local history and culture right here in Allen.

I used to be disappointed that there was not much to explore in the DFW area other than the Sixth Floor Museum and the Reunion Center. But ever since I started scouting my city and the neighboring towns for nature trails, I began to discover a wealth of natural beauty, woodlands, pristine lakes and a whole new way to observe and experience the local history.