Whitesboro, Texas

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This article appeared in the Spring 2008 issue of Texoma Living!.

“On the western edge of Grayson County, Texas where horse country begins on the sandy loam soil of north Texas, sits the community of Whitesboro. Established in 1848 when Ambrose White and his family joined original settler Robert Diamond on the scenic land some 15 miles west of Sherman, Texas. Today, the tradition of family and community are as strong as ever.”

Welcome to Whitesboro (A message from the Chamber)

Whitesboro Texas is located in west Grayson County on US Hwy 82. Its prime location between the Dallas-Ft.Worth Metroplex and Oklahoma City has proven to be an economic asset as there is easy access to both regions. The opportunity for higher education abounds as Whitesboro is situated between two community colleges, North Central Texas College and Grayson County College, and two universities, Austin College and the University of North Texas. The rich soil in the Whitesboro area has drawn a multitude of equine ranchers and related business to this locale.

-Lynda Anderson
Chamber President

Points of Interest

-James R. and John D. Diamond founded the Diamond Horse Ranch in 1850 and it later served as a station on the Butterfield Stage Line from 1858 to 1861.

-The Sanborn Ranch was developed in the 1880’s to showcase modern ranching using barbed wire. Stock-ment from all over the world came to the ranch to learn new ways of stock and pasture management.

-Come see the renovated water well that served as a major stop for settlers traveling the Butterfield Stage Line.

-Tour the Younger-Sullivan House located at 200 Center Street. This 118 year old house became a historical marker in 1965 with a rich history. It is now available for parties, weddings and club meetings. For more information, contact the City of Whitesboro at 903-564-3311.

-While you are touring, please stop by the Bennett- Richardson house located at 125 Center Street. This house is enjoyed by various socials and tours.

Play in Whitesboro

The Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department, located in the Jimmie O. Rector Community Center, offers a  variety of recreational opportunities for everyone from children and youth to senior adults. The community center is open daily and offers ongoing activities, summer day camps, and special events. There are five community parks with playgrounds, athletic facilities, and a walking trail. Whitesboro also boasts an Olympicsize public swimming pool that operates during the summer for instruction, water aerobics, and open swim.

Give in Whitesboro

An exceptional quality among the residents of Whitesboro is their giving spirit and willingness to help neighbors. Local churches coordinated this giving in 2004 and began Your Neighbor’s House. This unique organization distributes food and goods to those in need. Additionally, through the Whitesboro Ministerial Alliance community volunteers give to hundreds of families each year. Whitesboro also boasts many opportunities for community involvement through local churchesand civic organizations. The area is home to over 25 different congregations of various denominations as well as 18 civic clubs that also serve.

Whiteboro's gorgeous parks serve as a great way to escape the routine.

Area Attractions

-Lake Texoma (89,000 acres), a fisherman’s dream, has become known for some of the best striper fishing in the Southwest. The Dallas Morning News calls Lake Texoma the #1 Best Lake in Texas!

-Lake Ray Roberts (30,000 acres), located directly to the south of Whitesboro, offers a variety of recreational activities including fishing, water sports, bird watching, camping, and hiking the Greenbelt Corridor between Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Lewisville.

-Hagerman Wildlife Refuge has 8,000 acres of upland and 3,000 acres of water and marsh. There are 250 documented species of fowl.

-Younger-Sullivan House is the original home of the Younger family, built in 1889 and preserved for visitors to view a sample of local history.

-Diamond Station was the Butterfield Stage stop for the famous Overland Mail Route.

-Whitesboro Riding Club’s Annual 4th of July Rodeo is a paramount summer event, with a 3-day rodeo and fireworks display. This year the Club will celebrate 50 years of rodeo!

A Great Place to Call Home

Serving approximately 300 members located within Whitesboro and the surrounding areas, the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce continues to support businesses and the growing community. Annual events include a banquet in March, quarterly luncheons in June, August, and December; Cruise Night in July, and Texoma Night Out in October. On the third Saturday in October, the Annual Peanut Festival and car show beckons over 20,000 visitors to stay and enjoy, making it the largest free festival in North Texas since 1965. The Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce invites you to our thriving community.

-Area Lakes: 2
-Golf Courses: Public 1,Private 1
-Golf Driving Range: 1
-Swimming Pool: Public 1
-Public Library: 1
-Community Center: 1
-Resort: 1
-Parks: 5
-Tennis Courts: Public 4
-Baseball/Softball Fields: 5
-Sand Volleyball Court: 1
-Outdoor Basketball Court: 1
-Museum: 1
-Rodeo/Equestrian Arenas: Public and Private Arenas

A brief history of Whitesboro

Faced with hard times, Captain Ambrose B. White had two choices. He could stay in Illinois and hope that he, his wife, and four children could outlast the economic recession, or he could move on in hopes an offer of free land in another state would lead to a better life. The year was 1848 and the Whites chose opportunity. Loading their belongings in a wagon, they left Illinois for the new frontier. Their two-month journey led them over plains and through wilderness to a hill near the Red River in North Texas. The site was along a lush trail called the “Wolf Path”, where cross timbers provided cover for the wolves. There was also plenty of water, wood, and game, and an abundance of wild plum bushes to meet the settlers’ needs. Legend has it that this area occupies the exact ridge of the so-called “Great Divide”. The rain water that falls on the south side of today’s Main Street reaches the Gulf of Mexico by way of the Trinity River, and the rain that falls on the North side of today’s Main Street flows to the Gulf by way of the Red and Mississippi Rivers. White opened an inn along the “Wolf Path”. It soon became a stop along the western route of the Butterfield Stage Line. Prior to the Civil War, the town was large enough to ask for a Post Office and took the name that had been attached to it for more than 10 years, Whitesborough. Migration following the Civil War brought  many new settlers to the area. In 1873, the city of Whitesboro received it’s first town charter. The population at the time was 500. Now, over 150 years later, Whitesboro continues in its original role as a “getaway” spot.

Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce
2535 HWY 82 E. Ste C
Whitesboro, TX 76273
903.564.3331
www.whitesborotx.com

WIDCO: Whitesboro Industrial Development Corp.
By Chelsea Chappell-Cox

Starting a business from scratch can be a daunting and overwhelming task. The paperwork alone can prevent would-be entrepreneurs from attaining their dreams. But do not despair because there is new hope. The Whitesboro Industrial Development Corporation is here to help you.

This nonprofit corporation works within the Whitesboro business community to generate jobs and to retain and train professionals within industrial facilities and distribution centers.

The Whitesboro Industrial Development Corporation supports new and expanded businesses to strengthen the area’s economy. In the past year, WIDCO completed numerous infrastructure projects, helping to improve 2007 sales tax figures by 20%.

WIDCO can offer to new businesses tax incentives, tax abatement, capital outlay, job training, infrastructure, potential building sites and even available buildings that are for rent or sale. WIDCO can make your move to Whitesboro much easier, whether it’s helping you with the permit process, location needs, financing, or Workforce Texoma, or providing a local area professionals list.

Incentives are offered on a case-by-case basis from applications made directly to WIDCO. More information, applications and advice can be found at www.whitesborotexas.com or by visiting the Economic Development office, located in City Hall, 111 W. Main Street, Whitesboro, Texas 76273.

Before you start your business take a look at what WIDCO can do for you. WIDCO can offer to new businesses tax incentives, tax abatement, capital outlay, job training, infrastructure, potential building sites and even available buildings that are for rent or sale. WIDCO can make your move to Whitesboro much easier, whether it’s helping you with the permit process, location needs, financing, or Workforce Texoma, or providing a local area professionals list.

Incentives are offered on a case-by-case basis from applications made directly to WIDCO. Before you start your business take a look at what WIDCO can do for you.

Board of Directors:

President: Jeff Butts
Vice President: Brandon Parker
Secretary/Treasurer: Bill Hayes
Directors: Tommy Neal and Cary Bryan
Ex-Officio Members: Michael Marter and Dr. Ray Lea
Council Representatives: Charles Whitecotton and Mark Pike

WEDCO: Whitesboro Economic Development Corp.
By Chelsea Chappell-Cox

Today the city of Whitesboro has quite a bit going on. Both in front of and behind the scenes, Whitesboro Economic Development Corporation is making things happen. WEDCO is not only responsible for the creation and maintenance of many public amenities around Whitesboro, but this nonprofit organization also focuses on enhancing education and historical preservation programs throughout the city.

Completed projects include assisting with the construction of the new Public Library, relocating City Hall to its present location, retaining the location of the Post Office on Main Street and creating the city of Whitesboro’s official website www.whitesborotexas.com and marketing materials. A future project idea, the beautification and restoration of the 100 block of Main Street, is currently in the works.

Whiteboro is the hub of horses, located at the crossroads of the equine and business corridors, US Highways 377 and 82.

Board of Directors:

President: Mike Haynie
Vice President: Craig Falco
Secretary/Treasurer: Amy Goedecke
Directors: Ralph Burton, Jon Sanders, Jerry Warren, and Scott McCutcheon
Ex-Officio Members: Michael Marter and Dr. Ray Lea
Council Representatives: Charles Whitecotton and Mark Pike

Economic Development
City Hall, 111 W. Main Street
PO Box 340
Whitesboro, Texas 76273
(903) 564.3311 Main

Janis Crawley
Economic Director
(903) 436-6646 Cell
edc@whitesborotexas.com

Mapping the Way to Equine Economics

At the crossroads of the equine and business corridors, US Highways 377 and 82, lies the hub of horses, Whitesboro, Texas. Home to over 100 equine facilities which employ award-winning breeders, trainers and horses, Whitesboro has become world renowned in the equine industry.

Whether it’s Whitesboro’s prime central location between Tulsa and Houston or our sandy loam soil, which is equine friendly, easy on the hooves and weather resistant (water runs off, less chance for mud, less preparation work for the arena hands, fewer feet and leg problems for the horses), the equine industry is making its way in Whitesboro, and WEDCO wants to say that the growing industry is here to stay.

WEDCO encourages companies interested in the area’s growth to take advantage of the assistance we can give you, with finances, tax abatements, site location and otherwise.

Contact us today for your business needs of tomorrow.