Fun things to do in McKinney

Chestnut Square is a collection of seven houses and other structures dating back to the 1850s. The buildings are the Taylor House, Dulaney Cottage, Johnson House, the Chapel, Dixie's Store, the Faires House and Schoolroom - (I'll try to put pictures of them each in a travelogues sometime.) The buildings are furnished as they would have been in the 1800's and early 1900's. Tours begin at the visitors center on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11a.m.

The Heard-Craig house was built in 1900. The original owners wished for it to be preserved to show future generations how people lived in yesteryear. Tours now take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. and on Saturdays at 1,2, and 3 p.m. The Heards also left land to the Heard Museum near McKinney...very gracious of them.

The old prison was built in 1880. It has been used by Hollywood for movie locations in recent years. Jessie James’ brother Frank James spent more than a few nights here and Raymond Hamilton, who was part of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde gang and one of the country’s most prolific bank robbers, was arrested for stealing a car and spent time here in 1932. There is a story that Bonnie smuggled him in a hacksaw for which he used to try and cut his way out. Charles ‘Tex’ Watson went on a crime binge as part of the notorious Manson family in Los Angeles in the 1969. He grew up just east of McKinney. He ended up turning himself into the Collin County Sheriff and was later transferred to California where he is now serving a life sentence.

The prison has now been converted to a restaurant - "The Prison Bar and Grill"

The old 1911 Post Office has now been turned into a Museum which houses a variety of historical artefacts. There are exhibits of pioneer life and the early history of Collin County. There is also a civil war triptych which was painted by WPA artist Frank Klepper. The Museum is open to the public Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat from 11 – 4.00pm.
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This is a beautifully restored 7,000 sqft historic home which was built in 1900. At the time it was the centre for social, business, art and literary activities. The home was built by Stephen D. Heard and his wife Lillie and the moved in with their 18 year old son Fred and 16 year old daughter Katie. Stephen Heard was co-owner of JS & SD Heard Mercantile which was in downtown McKinney. It provided groceries, farm implements, saddles and other basic necessities for more than 30 years. Stephen along with his brother John also owned cotton and flour mills, real estate and insurance businesses. The home was bequeathed by Kathryn Heard Craig in 1970 to the community.
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The Carriage House is part of the Heard-Craig property and is available for rentals by businesses for meetings and corporate retreats. The houses are furnished with the family’s furniture, art works and heirlooms. You can tour the houses Tues & Thurs 2.00pm and Saturdays at 1.00, 2.00 & 3.00pm. There is a Victorian Christmas event held at Thanksgiving weekend every year.

McKinney is full of historic homes. The architectural styles vary from Victorian Italianate, Gothic, Art Deco, Prairie to Revival. The historic value has been a draw car for Hollywood who have used the city to produce films and t.v. series such as ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’, ‘Murder in the Heartland’ and Hallmark Hall of Fame’s ‘An American Story’.

This was originally the Foote Baptist Church and was moved to Chestnut Square in 1994 and was carefully restored to its original turn-of-the-century condition. This church was the typical meeting house of Collin County residents. It has now been renames as The Chapel at Chestnut Square and can be hired for weddings, receptions, meetings and parties.
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