Denton’s trolley line by no means was a tourism draw, however it was among the many first | Landmarks And Legacies

Although New Orleans and Dallas have trolleys, Denton’s trolley was older than the one in Dallas.

Two property developments drove Denton’s early expansion. The Syndicate, a real estate group, acquired land in 1890 that almost doubled the size of the city. After the city annexed their land, the Syndicate donated 10 acres to Normal School, which eventually became the University of North Texas. The syndicate, which benefited from flipping land, provided little support to an inland school that could only grow over a significant domain.

After the syndicate’s success, the Denton Interurban Railway and Power Plant was organized in August 1905. They were directed by Donald Fitzgerald, described by the Houston Post as a New York broker and promoter for major cities in Texas. Members of the corporation were Horace Griffin of Battle Creek, along with Denton-based Newt Lee, Richard Wilson, William Wilson, and Charles Simmons.

The group previously developed one of America’s first suburbs in New Orleans, turning a sugar plantation into a fashionable neighborhood five miles from downtown, linked by a mule wagon. Under this plan, Denton’s new development south of town would be called Hiland Park.

Investors formed Denton Traction Co. to build a power plant on the corner of Hickory Street and Bell Avenue, the site of what is now Denton’s central fire station. The catenary lines laid from Oak Street Station turned south on Fry Street, west on Hickory Street and south on Avenue C to Hiland Park, near what is now Apogee Stadium.

Denton’s car entered service in February 1908 and offered inexpensive transportation for 5 cents a day before cars were common. Residents also benefited from the car bringing the first electrical service to Denton.

The hill on which Apogee Stadium is located was a popular spot for Indians. The residents of the growing city picnic there to enjoy the view. Since it was a perfect place for wealthy homes, Trolley backers hoped to benefit from land sales.

Griffin bought 205 heavily forested acres. He submitted a 120 acre lot for the Hiland Park subdivision with 253 lots, streets, alleys and a trolley barn near the current ponds on Hiland Park Road. Although Griffin advertised the area with picnic areas, conventions, traveling circuses, and political rallies, only 13 lots were sold. Griffin died unexpectedly in 1908 and property speculation went into foreclosure.

When the company broke up in 1909, the Wilson Brothers, hardware dealers in Downtown Square, took control of Denton Traction Co. They added an additional north-south overhead line to serve the College of Industrial Arts, which is now called Texas Woman’s University is known.

Fitzgerald moved to Dallas from New York City. He repeated Denton’s trolley map north of downtown Dallas and changed the name to Highland Park, creating the city of Highland Park.

The New Orleans St. Charles Streetcar and part of Dallas’ trolley became tourist attractions, but Denton’s trolley never won financial support and ceased operations in 1918. Highland Park Road is the only remnant of Denton’s trolley.

Randy Hunt contributed to this article.

ANNETTA RAMSAY, Ph.D., has lived and worked in Denton for many years.