Timeline: before 1900

1841

The Republic of Texas gives a grant to the Texas Emigration and Land Company to bring 600 families to what is now Denton County. Each family was to receive 640 acres of land, with bachelors receiving 320 acres.

1844

The Hallford and King families were the first to settle in the area of modern-day Lewisville, naming it the Holford Prairie Settlement.

1846

Denton County forms.

The first church is built in Lewisville. Called Chinns Church, it also served as the county’s first Masonic Lodge.

1855

According to local legend, Basdeal Lewis buys the Hallford land and lays out a town that he names for himself. The first Lewisville Post Office is established. However, recent research casts serious doubt on this story.

1857

On Jan. 23, the Grand Lodge of Texas issues a charter for Denton Masonic Lodge #201, which then bought five acres of land at the current location of Old Hall Cemetery for a two-story lodge, church and school.

1862

Three men (Rawlins, Kealy and Herod) build a gristmill on the former site of the Sonic restaurant.

1864

A map of North Texas shows Lewisville under the name Lexington. Other documents and maps from the 1860s use the names Lewisville or Louisville.

1867

T. M. Clayton and George Craft build the first cotton gin in Denton County.

1875

The Dallas & Wichita Railroad reaches its northernmost point, about one mile south of Lewisville after going bankrupt just four years into its charter.

1877

The first public school in Lewisville, Lewisville School Community No. 14, is chartered. Five days later, Lewisville Colored School Community No. 50 is chartered.

1881

The Texas & Pacific Railway extends to about two miles east of the settlement, causing a gradual shifting of the community to the area now known as Old Town.

1883

Lewisville’s population reaches 300 people.

1885

The building currently housing the Greater Lewisville Community Theater is constructed on Main Street. This is the city’s oldest standing structure.

1886

A livery stable and feed mill opens on Main Street. Lewisville Feed Mill remained open under various owners until 2012, becoming the city’s longest continuously operating business.

1891

Overton Littleton Hamilton starts the city’s first newspaper, the Lewisville Enterprise.

Bonds are issued, and construction begins on the first public school in Lewisville.

1895

Fire destroys the north side of Main Street, from west to east. After the fire, a group of businessmen forms the Lewisville Water Company with a well, standpipe tower and running water to serve Main Street.

1897

Lewisville High School opens.