I recently took a day trip via the train to one of the most charming towns in North Texas. A perfect excursion for antique shoppers, history buffs or just anyone who wants to spend a day in Mayberry USA. I bet you've heard of this town but didn't know about the train that stops in its downtown. Peruse the photos and try to guess where in Texas I am.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi006RAv_AgNyNqny36WRFZWyXYqGthsypnHIQbjcYwtNPSTKIRzrrQ1k7rQ_oFyP3XKlcDNArzHLbKj9fkvRd1CBKbz8hG8Nz1fWZRLxrTXxslNJNI4EAkLp0KVc5lIISptIkAPkKsBg/s320/IMG_1377.JPG) |
This is one of the oldest train stations in the state. Stop in and get a historic walking guide to the city. |
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The original High School dates back to the 1920's |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq5yjsWKqPIvPx-dE-DAgQT-9Bv1OVQ-MZ3OrD8mOfBnOjGvKSYOxiR1PHdj2pmoSefvJ8CEcUrJeszEK9IfuPGsQlkgI3ip3fA5YuJULXbt568LPMTh9MGbVR8ApXS1bpTLDYiRq2A/s320/IMG_1330.JPG) |
The High School Auditorium was built during the depression by the WPA
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGG4j9RvqhPjEOQ4VUhd7fCPGubvcdk2qJkpOXWLdlJ1K57hpmqc3T0LMH1j5a6_vwh5cOUn1TYE3XgYk7nGI2EO-S_NsCtihXXoB0UjyNSfSvKrNbMp-W-VnwvKsFHFmMb0QzhTd4w/s320/IMG_1331.JPG) |
The spectacular lobby of the depression era auditorium |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe8YnKf-pBsWGn4BWOmdCO-zfClr2_2-8zVMmwLgowoUk1K_3UZGlaFfOJG0t_xWl8u3aeEeBwl62F7p7QLhCwJMj4iweSeNtRN9AfFuHTX7w72hKA6govfnFry2funMO-jMy-k-WGA/s320/IMG_1332.JPG) |
This home in the Historic District had a seven sided porch.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJPemXwgtnR8GfLHzqahEaH1mS4Cx-Ql1q6dR-RkCHK-8QJRipwOvViMFuO8pBblZE0bDJifsrOd9qNqGIhY-VVt-nW9R0cAaM1MUe0gG2csyeGzDZZYnL0hlks08G_8IxUjbB9t4ew/s320/IMG_1335.JPG) |
I love the native landscaping of this restored home. |
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A friendly neighbor who let me take his picture and told me the history of his 100 year old house.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9bMKN6ok4g6rufZpPpltFv9E6jFDlxqqu6yZuXrCGncGEyWxmw1OGaNuxO1W_IvpeZilS6YCWb39X1KqewD1sHy0Qp0bgvkefz3T7Y6uQHlG0E9CqRcQqiw8SUQUnr1t27vixqH3xA/s320/IMG_1326.JPG) |
The homes in the Historic District or just a few steps west of the rail station and downtown.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2-b1HZ_n2icQANOqt0iWpYA_Q20vR8rA_z9RlxO5XN28qOD9uXuuONFw0EmgpS5WMFFz8u4OW4WKx8jnfEHjoaAkR6SlDiZqCKWYuH0bF3MuQEhEEXNnUQTEuzB1Nrg8r5_VpgYDyQ/s1600/IMG_1371_2.jpg) |
The view from across the street from the Train Station. I love the brick streets. Have you figured out what town this is? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmWgTTOWF_wogZxcmliUoB7DzIBR-xMUAz8ypZ5bZ3d3LQ1o5z_O9bMIrtKGM51BGnHufYfpBldEtTawib1VzxFZ4gCCrzeNYqIqswnBCiLka-Eq9hv_47eOTPtt9zLdX9Xs7wUf1lw/s320/IMG_1338.JPG) |
The Filmore Pub in Downtown. A local favorite. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqbQCBnIDMpxHllAQSEhvSLHoSBoO64_uvsQf5dltVmaZG_WsNZelpXR1I6gZwaJqplmrM-etDvMFGUVkd7bsNUWUyQO_wqQ1JSvpvd4XXREcaDrUQU0cWRg4EDpFfRyHgCAjfi50HQ/s320/IMG_1339.JPG) |
The original home of the Oddfellows Lodge, in the 1930s it was 'modernized' to look like a art deco structure. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOitWR0yChdk-iEfH6ySmwRo77GZ7ljRP7TlU3ceT8JAqhpTb2Wx19HhNHNqqZ_xI2H5qqiXfcKYhV9eL2-3hIvilcsznIocWCJdXdxx2_lN9gcFb4KF35FpzSWKgo8DB5FQdCQe46g/s320/IMG_1341.JPG) |
A new business opens up in the 100 year old town. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaOuqrFsolm_g125kxaCWSATKTXbRC5CTm0SHxcJbQFCQKgva_er5L8QkxztZrDtNKzoM2O8_5Qp1lWTIcsPPs2nVEMUP9kkMPBg5a3XbNK2UxumLpYgnH0lf-Y0CkIvSHiCJClG0Gw/s320/IMG_1353.JPG) |
The George Building is 110 years old and houses a really cool Pizza Place with a Rooftop Lounge, a very hip surprise. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVcEuFqQw_bIfO5WjWmOKuy7kc0AQwgL5D0ETIjO7gRcKhsAaQdpQ-sC9AmF0ysWZ_2nY0gKHskeWDf2a6aIa0GK2CJZZl5W1XvAvDhccaayHfzEiK3_WyPq-Hjj0f1W5Md7AItEF4g/s320/IMG_1355.JPG) |
Notice the new loft apartments that were recently built. This community's downtown continues to thrive. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgeuPDX_zHaeedtTQISvZjzxyGIGIeN8qMfmPXs3rDX_QGiUk2Z3SfAN6ZaL_cwgyLBuBax5T-tQcUnqMrW3-xIFoFtRj9ej8OxZzQxP_Z68HXRCqi-XcuCGOznPJfxA6wUP7lj94gw/s1600/IMG_1362.jpg) |
Just east of Downtown is the Old Town District. One of the town's more prominent residents. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1SJQds7ohmyhaL3h6Q9ZAOz4fWgI-8dL3-XGmCOHf_EQMtfYJUepbe6Z-pG64QCr_3K3NmDQd586YQGvef3t2JOAn2W4TX65ScfTs5U8fsGopht-DvK8Hh7pEZMgQ52YIkkIKjJH_Q/s1600/IMG_1365.jpg) |
The Carpenter House Bed and Breakfast in the Old Town District. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Bm-EIcZUP0G5IqJMc8Bmx1v2Q9mRjIwP4-LMtJBsWTXbTcqdYswUrtGh8Wop565-F7Pehl7DF5N3rXa0ClSLBghNwmMtH2iutzJQ8rhd4Bz2npXqxfKe6zOa10juh3UKmWJjrt5sfw/s1600/IMG_1366.jpg) |
May I suggest lunch at Jorg's Cafe Vienna. The owner, Jorg, is from Austria and his food is both authentic and delicious. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Fv67fiAtNusS5L5RhK8KjhtcdcgFmqEMlrOvg0X7hbE8FrwRKDqSJ5HjliHC8XjI-Q2YT09cgt8xY9QOnE69Q_AbVi5ev5N2UQ-crsXPROXKQYZDYYLaQ79KOKWgR4qQp6x5OGR8jA/s1600/IMG_1368.jpg) |
Jorg met his American wife and moved with her back to her native Texas. Quite a surprise to find a little piece of Austria in this humble town. Where am I????
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg3UgXPPmAI_88o0dDMJ8i2bsEiT94BYN91xYGcufL3ulSzKtE6o3GYOyL4xsfIFUHaFN9b1YEVIPfuPrM_0NEQ6EcKitj9cyFvCZJYNmIWNwHY_XuMvUB8O8E80yPTPH_axwb9VeUA/s1600/IMG_1369_2.jpg)
The Masonic Lodge is one of the oldest in Texas and still in use.
Have you figured out where I am?
Scroll Down for the Answer
Did you guess
Plano?
Didn't know that Plano had a downtown? You're probably not alone. Downtown Plano is over 100 years old and has buildings that date back to the days when it was a small farming community, north of Dallas. In 1960, Plano only had 3600 residents. By 1970, the number grew to 17,000. Today, it has over a quarter million people.
And the $4.00 round trip train ride? The was the Dart's Red Line from Mockingbird Station to the Downtown Plano stop.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqVUMfuLZ4iuUrpYwhIAPD6Gvd0tQOlSS19JrVR7WhMO7G_uyCj6GlLmrJ96-rrIImeE0EhvqGXFDe00ZLUYcIRzXW-pVxd3NYLvB-B9ppZ3r5gKItB_CIFOihBFr-yIpeVmfucZGWw/s320/IMG_1323.JPG)
To find Downtown Plano take the 15th Street exit (Exit 29) off US 75 and head east.
Click Here to find out more about Historic Downtown Plano
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Born and raised. Knew it was Plano by the first picture.
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