Page 48 - 2019aprilmay

McKinney Then and Now

by Mary Carole Strother

hrough the years, McKinney has been transformed from
a pioneer town, to a thriving farming community, to the Other scenes with unique set designs include replicas of a livery
Tvibrant downtown we enjoy today. Every year thousands of stable, a bell tower from First Baptist McKinney, a teller window
people visit McKinney and enjoy the vintage charm and intrigue from the Collin County National Bank and the JS and SD Heard
of the historical buildings that make up the downtown square. The Mercantile Store. Display cases with artifacts from the Cotton Mill
Collin County History Museum has launched a brand-new exhibit and Flour Mill tell the story of our rich industrial and manufacturing
entitled McKinney Then and Now. The exhibit allows visitors the history. Artifacts and historic photos of the H&TC Railroad, the
opportunity to step back in time and experience what life was like in Interurban Railway and McKinney trolley cars show us what
the early days of McKinney. transportation was like in the early days of McKinney. Other display
Historic photos, artifacts, and set designs of historic buildings help cases and photo panels feature fashions from the past, the history
tell the stories of the people, places, and events that helped shape of our churches and artifacts from downtown drug stores and other
McKinney. businesses from the historic downtown square. McKinney was also
Visitors to the exhibit use an iPad to scan QR codes that are linked an entertainment and cultural center with shows and programs at the
to videos. Through these videos they will hear stories about early Heard Opera House and the Ritz and Pope Theatres.
McKinney told through the historical vignettes of Collin County The museum is located in the 1911 Federal Building and Post Office
historians. They can also experience a modern day look at McKinney which is designated as a Texas Historic Landmark. This Italianate
through 360 images and drone videography. style building has maintained many of the original architectural
An exciting new feature of the exhibit is the use of augmented features. The foyer of the building has the original terrazzo and
reality. The iPad has an app called HP Reveal that makes this feature marble floor and the triple arch entryway that leads into the main
possible. After launching the app, you simply point the camera of gallery. The postmaster’s office features the original glass and
the iPad over the image. The HP Reveal app recognizes the object hardwood flooring. In 1976 Lady Bird Johnson, former first lady,
and triggers an overlay image. The historic images in the exhibit are performed the ribbon cutting ceremony dedicating the building as
paired with the views of the same scenes as they appear today or a a museum. Restoration of the building took six years and reopened
similar business that is currently in McKinney. Through the use of as the Central Museum in the Old Post Office. Today it is called the
augmented reality (AR) visitors are able to compare for themselves Collin County History Museum and tells the rich history of our past.
McKinney Then and Now.
There are ten different scenes in the exhibit that give you a glimpse
of McKinney’s past. The government scene features a picture of
the historic courthouse made of native limestone. When completed
in 1876, it was believed to be the tallest building in Texas north of
San Antonio. In 1927, the courthouse was remodeled to the present-
day look of three stories, a basement and classical columns. Another
courthouse was built in 1979 east of the square on Tennessee Street.
In 2008, the latest courthouse was built on Bloomdale Road and
serves as the center of our county government. The original Collin
County Courthouse building, located in the center of the downtown
square, is now the McKinney Performing Arts Center.

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