On April 25, 2026, Allen, Texas celebrated its 150th anniversary with a day-long event. It marked the date in 1876 when the residents of the town filed a map of the town with the State of Texas.

Ebenezer Allen

I was asked to attend the event in my capacity as the Ebenezer Allen living historian. My role was to act as a greeter at the Allen Train Depot, explain Ebenezer Allen’s connection to the city, and, of course, pose for photographs. The day was very warm, and I spent my time between the air-conditioned depot and strolling among the crowds coming to the event. When possible, I tried to explain how the city had my name and relate other interesting items from Mr. Allen’s life.

Significant Dates in Allen’s History

• March 11, 1848 – Texas grants Allen a charter to form the Galveston and Red River Railroad Company
• February 14, 1852 – Allen transfers the railroad charter to Bremond and House which creates the Galveston and Red River Railroad
• 1852-1859 – Allen serves as a director of the newly named Houston and Texas Central Railroad
• February 22, 1856 – The directors of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad name their first engine the “Ebenezer Allen”
• September 1, 1856 – The Texas Legislature approves renaming the Galveston and Red River Railroad to Houston and Texas Central Railroad
• 1874 – The Houston and Texas Central Railroad reaches McKinney, Texas and company executives name a watering station Allen Depot
• 1874 -The Allen Water Station was built for the railroad, marking a significant development in the town’s infrastructure
• 1876 – Residents of the Town of Allen file original map of the town with the state
• February 22, 1878 – A gang led by Sam Bass committed in Allen what is said to be Texas’s first train robbery.
• 1906 – The town’s downtown area begins to develop  with the construction of its first brick structure, the Allen State Bank
• 1908 – 1948 – Allen was a stop along the Texas Traction Company’s interurban line from Denison to Dallas
• 1930 – Lone Star Gas delivery started
• 1953 – Allen was incorporated into Collin County with a population of 400
• 1960 – US 75 was constructed through Allen
• 1967 – Allen library founded
• 1968 – Allen hires first police chief
• 1975 – The city purchases land for a post office
• 1979 – Allen establishes a City Council
• 2005 – The population of Allen reaches 70,381
• August 31, 2012 – Allen Eagle Stadium opens
• 2019 – Allen population reaches 105,630
• 2020 – Allen population reaches 104,627
• 2022 – Allen population reaches 115,551
• May 6, 2023 – A mass shooting occurred at the Allen Premium Outlets mall in which eight were killed, along with the shooter, and seven were injured
• 2026 – Allen celebrates 150 years

Ebenezer Allen Timeline

However, Mr. Allen was much more than a city’s namesake. He served in numerous capacities in the republic and state governments. He was the state’s first elected attorney general, Was instrumental in the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States. Obtained the state’s first railroad charter and helped launch the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. During the American Civil War, he served in the Confederate Engineer Bureau which was engaged in sabotage.

• April 8, 1804 – Ebenezer Allen is born in Newport, New Hampshire
• 1826 – Allen graduates from Dartmouth College
• March 23, 1833 – Allen marries Sylvinia Morse in Bloomfield, Maine
• December 18, 1840 – The Allen family arrives in the Republic of Texas and settles in Clarksville, Texas
• February 4, 1843 – Allen joins the Masonic Friendship Lodge No. 16 in Clarksville
• December 9, 1844 – Sam Houston appoints Allen as Attorney General of the Republic of Texas
• December 1844 – President Anson Jones appoints Allen as Attorney General of the Republic of Texas
• March 1, 1845 – United States President Tyler signs “Joint Resolution for Annexing Texas to the United States”
• July 1845 – Anson Jones appoints Allen as interim Secretary of State
• December 29, 1845 – After citizens of Texas approve joining the United States, U.S. President James K. Polk signs the joint resolution and Texas becomes a state
• 1846 – The Allen family moves to Galveston, Texas
• March 11, 1848 – Texas grants Allen a charter to form the Galveston and Red River Railroad Company
• August 1850 – Allen elected Attorney General as a Democrat
• 1850-18752 – Allen serves as Attorney General under Governor Peter H. Bell
• February 14, 1852 – Allen transfers the railroad charter to Bremond and House which creates the Galveston and Red River Railroad
• 1852-1859 – Allen serves as a director of the newly named Houston and Texas Central Railroad
• February 22, 1856 – The directors of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad name their first engine the “Ebenezer Allen”
• September 1, 1856 – The Texas Legislature approves renaming the Galveston and Red River Railroad to Houston and Texas Central Railroad
• February 23, 1861 – Texas votes to secede
• August 20, 1863 – Allen is appointed to the Confederate Engineer Bureau
• October 15, 1863 – Allen dies under mysterious circumstance in Richmond, Virginia and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond

To learn more about Ebenezer Allen, please visit The Forgotten Texas Statesman | Allen Mesch.