Greenville , 45 minutes from Dallas and the gateway to scenic East Texas, offers the perfect launching pad to big city adventures or a relaxing, laid-back weekend.
• Historic downtown features:
• Two wineries
• New restaurants
•. Antiques, ladies apparel, and other specialty shops located in historic landmarks
• Multiple live music venues
• Vintage 1930s Texan Theater opens in 2013 following multi-million dollar restoration to offer live entertainment and classic movies.
• Opening soon on Interstate 30 – Collin Street Bakery. Less than a mile from our popular Audie Murphy/ American Cotton Museum.
• Outdoor recreation.
• Five area lakes and nearby nature preserves.
• Million dollar restoration of city’s 100-year old Graham Park delivers a kid-friendly, pet-friendly experience under the shade of massive old oaks.
• Nearby city of Commerce offers a Planetarium on the Texas A & M University campus and the Northeast Texas Childrens Museum
In Greenville, we’re building on our historic legacy. Come experience our unique heritage for yourself or be a part of our exciting future!
Greenville was established as the county seat of Hunt County in 1846, the same year Texas became a state. It rose to prominence in the 1880s following the arrival of the railroads, which made the transport of cotton to markets feasible. Our 1896 Katy Passenger Depot is a National Register Landmark and today houses the Petticoat Junction ceramics shop. By 1900, Greenville was a regional economic powerhouse, boasting fine hotels, a first-class opera house and other amenities reserved for larger cities. The population in 1900 was roughly 8,800 persons compared to 4,500 for McKinney, 1200 for Rockwall and only 800 in Plano. Dallas at the time had a population of about 44,000. An historical walking tour of downtown will fascinate history-lovers with such tales as how the Greenville Majors beat the New York Yankees, and how Greenville men fought on both sides during the Civil War. There remains significant architecture from the cotton boomtown days to create a unique experience for visitors.
While the “metroplex” has outgrown Greenville, relatively speaking, we continue to offer a culturally rich environment coupled with a more laid-back lifestyle. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs here three times per year in our acoustically excellent 1930s Art Deco municipal auditorium. The GMA is also home to the Kenneth Threadgill Concert Series offering headline acts. Elvis performed there in 1955.
Two wineries have led the way for our downtown revitalization efforts. The Blue Armadillo Winery proudly asserts itself as Greenville’s First Winery and its cozy atmosphere exists inside an 1880s former bank building. Landon Winery on the Hunt County Courthouse Square resides in a former Kress Department Store building and has grown to become the state’s 10th largest winery with many award-winning wines. It also anchors the City Bistro restaurant. Both wineries frequently offer live music on the weekends.
Lighting its neon marquee for the first time in decades is the 1930s Texan Theater, slated to re-open in 2013. With roots to the early King Opera House, such notables as John Phillip Sousa, the Marx Brothers, Houdini and Shakespearean actors once performed on its stage. The Texan will host live dinner theater, musical performances and classic movies.
Our downtown is also a fun destination for shopping. Women’s apparel stores predominate, along with antiques, gift shops, hobby shops, salons and even a coin shop. Restaurants offer everything from burgers to Italian, Greek and Southern-style home cooking. The Friends of Main Street maintains a complete list of downtown merchants.
Conveniently located on Interstate 30, the Audie Murphy/ American Cotton Museum highlights not only America’s most decorated hero of World War II but all veterans. Displays include other hometown heroes such as baseball great Monty Stratton, as well as the history of the cotton industry in northeast Texas.
Collin Street Bakery is slated to open here in late 2012/ early 2013. This popular Texas tradition will offer their full line-up of fruitcakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies, candies and nuts.
Greenville – we have sweet experiences waiting for you!
For more Greenville area information, contact The Greenville Chamber of Commerce/CVB, P.O. Box 1055, Greenville, TX 75403-1055; 903-455-1510, fax: 903-455-1736, email: tourism@greenvillechamber.com website: www.greenvillechamber.com.
