Collin County History Museum

06/10/2025

New restaurants, a coffee shop and other food spots are expected to open in McKinney in the coming months. Here's what to know about the businesses coming to...

06/10/2025

Make this part of your weekend plans!

Tickets are on sale for this Saturday's Trolley tour! Come ride the Trolley and learn about the historic district's history, architecture and fun facts! Tickets can be purchased on our website at the link below!
https://chestnutsquare.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F17209

06/10/2025

Record states:
Officer in front of Old Collin County Prison off of Kentucky street, McKinney, Tx. 1937

06/10/2025

This passage states:
Eary McKinney:
McKinney in the early 1900's was a scenic town as shown by these pictures of the city loaned to the Courier - Gazette by Luther Lane.

The pictures are from an album that was apparently put together as a presentation for building an interurban line trom McKinney to Paris.

Pictures from Paris as well as Bonham, Whitewright and Honey Grove are also displayed in the album which was apparently partially
destroyed in a fire sometime in the past.

The album also contains financial information on banks in the area of the proposed new line but unfortunately, the Courier - Gazette doesn't have room to run all of the pictures and documents.

Perhaps these few pictures will bring back
memeories for many residents who remember
McKinney as it was many years ago.

06/09/2025

06/07/2025

🚴‍♂️ John’s Second Big Adventure – 340 Miles for History! 🏛️

Fifty years after his first epic ride from Dallas to Lubbock, John is hitting the road again! Starting August 19, he’ll embark on a 340-mile journey to raise funds for the Collin County History Museum.

Housed in a beautifully preserved 1911 post office in Downtown McKinney, our museum relies on community support to continue preserving local history. John's ride is a heartfelt mission to bring awareness and financial support to our cause.

You can cheer John on, or make a donation, by following his page! John's 2nd Big Adventure John Royer

06/07/2025

Hog killing time in Weston
Via Mike Thompson
From Minnie Champs fabulous "Collin County Families" Vol. 1
Thank you Mike

06/06/2025

Living History is back!!

06/05/2025

This Month in Collin County History
March 22, 1928 – Wood’s Café opens its doors in McKinney. Kali Woods and his wife, Ruby, launched Wood’s Café on North Tennessee Street, offering a welcoming space for both travelers and local residents. The café quickly gained a reputation, with the signature dish being a mouthwatering chicken dinner. Legend has it that infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde were regular patrons, as Clyde’s cousin worked as a server there. In 1952, the Woods family expanded their business by opening the Woods Motel, with their son, Jack, joining the family enterprise. Five years later, the café moved to a larger building adjacent to the motel, solidifying its place in McKinney’s history.
Source for this photo:
https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth15454/