As with many cities, Frisco, Texas, started from humble beginnings.

There were a few setbacks, but the city persevered.

Frisco is a growing suburb located about 30 miles north of Dallas, Texas, and is home to 177,020 residents.

Let’s dive into it and see how the city became what it is today — one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.

 

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The Beginning (Early 1900s)

According to the Texas State Historical Association, the city now known as Frisco was initially named Emerson, after a wealthy banker and farmer who owned a majority of the land in the area by the name of Francis Emerson. The banker proposed that the city be named after him, and in return, he would place a national bank in the city.

The name Emerson for this new town stuck around for a little while, but Emerson never came through on his promise to build a bank. That, plus the fact that a nearby city was named Emberson, led the town to go by Frisco instead, named after the St. Louis, San Francisco, and Texas Railway Company — also known as the Frisco system.

This name was switched to Frisco City in 1902 before settling with Frisco in 1908.

The early development of Frisco, Texas, can be traced back to the establishment of the St. Louis- San Francisco railroad. Like many new towns around this time, citizens from other cities flocked here to be closer to the railroad and all of its benefits.

Most residents at this time were farmers of cotton and grain.

 

Minor Setback and New Beginnings (1920s–1930s)

In 1922, a fire ensued in downtown Frisco, destroying 13 buildings despite the city’s efforts to contain the fire.

The citizens of the city tried to fight the first with a 1918 Ford Model T fire truck, but they weren’t fast enough to contain it.

The fire destroyed two-thirds of the business area of downtown Frisco and caused the city to purchase another firetruck as backup. They also installed sirens to alert the city of fires and tornadoes better.

The second firetruck had features the first truck didn’t, including a siren and a portable water hose. 

 

Community Essentials (1940s–1960s)

In the early ‘50s, the first clinic in the area was established to attract more physicians to set up shop in town.

Around the same time, the Frisco Community Youth Center was opened as a safe place for children to participate in recreational activities. It still stands to this day with the same mission in mind.

Until around 1970, the farming industry played an essential role in Frisco. 

The city was at the center of the “great cotton belt” and was a strong industry until mills continuously shut down through the ‘60s and ‘70s.

 

Continued Growth Plan (1970s)

Over the next 10 years, the population of Frisco nearly doubled.

Some of this growth was due to the news that the University of Plano decided to extend to Frisco. But the school wasn’t around very long — less than a decade.

Another reason for the city’s growth can be attributed to real estate developers and land investors buying large amounts of land and unrolling projects to bring the city new financial possibilities. The development sites they purchased turned out to be highly successful in the long run.

 

history of frisco

Development Execution (1980s)

The developers who bought the land around Frisco snagged it up because they believed it would be valuable someday. They noticed how quickly Dallas was growing and wanted to start building soon.

First up was the Stonebriar Country Club which began in 1986. They planned for a business park, industrial facilities, shopping centers, and housing.

The incorporation of these projects brought more citizens in pursuit of financial opportunities in the area.

 

Frisco Today (1990s–Present Day)

In 1994, the Dallas North Tollway was extended into Frisco’s southern boundaries. This extension allowed residents an easier commute to and from Dallas.

The tollway was later extended to Highway 380, which helped boost Frisco’s transformation into “the next Plano.”

Frisco and Plano would eventually go on to see who could be the first to build out a mall in their city.

Frisco won this race after the Stonebriar mall was opened in the summer of 2000. Although it took twelve years to complete the project, this meant residents no longer had to go to Dallas or Plano for their shopping.

Frisco, Texas, got its own minor league baseball team in 2003 dubbed the Frisco RoughRiders, established under the Texas Rangers.

Two years later, they gained a major league soccer team called FC Dallas.

In 2016, the city was named the headquarters and practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys, making it a destination spot for sports fans.

 

Consider Moving to Frisco

Frisco offers an environment suitable for everyone — families, young singles, and empty-nesters.

The city of Frisco also comes with all of the essentials you need for entertainment and living necessities.

After learning about the history of Frisco, Texas, it’s easy to see why this city is booming today. The high goals and ambitions of the early settlers still reverberate in the city today.

Frisco is continuously growing and bringing opportunities to all of its residents. If you’re looking for a place to move to, make sure to consider Frisco, Texas.

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