Downtown Van Alstyne
Today, residents and tourists enjoy shopping, dining and working in offices in our vibrant historic downtown district. Those living in a restored home or loft apartment downtown can walk to banking, grocery shopping, restaurants, medical care and entertainment.
Our historic downtown is also the location of events such as the Fall der All festival, Halloween trick-or-treating at downtown merchants, the Railcar Farmer's Market, concerts in the park, the Christmas parade and much more.
Some of the new murals on Van Alstyne Parkway, in downtown Van Alstyne
Van Alstyne Depot
One of Van Alstyne's historical markers
The city of Van Alstyne, located on the southern border of Grayson County, was founded in 1873 when the railroads began their rapid expansion and formation of new settlements into the rich blacklands of North Texas. The railroads bypassed the little town of Mantua that had been settled in 1854 three miles to the Southwest. Most of Mantua’s citizens relocated to Van Alstyne, bringing with them their businesses and churches.
The depot was originally located on North Main. This rail line carries freight today.
Above: One of the murals added to downtown Van Alstyne in 2019 painted by the artist Calina Mishay Johnson, known as Street Art by Cal. It is located next to the Van Alstyne Post Office, 130 E Jefferson St, Van Alstyne, TX 75495.
photo credit: Tiffany Chartier, Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce