05/09/2026
Pick any small town in Texas and chances are you’ll find a Main Street that has served as the heart and soul of a community.
Since the 1980s, the Texas Main Street Program has worked to revitalize the downtown districts by helping local communities restore their historical structures and invest in their business owners. Former Texas Historical Commissioner Anice Reed brought the Main Street program to the state when the national concept was just taking off. Many downtown areas that popped up around railroad stations in the 19th century began declining over time as big box stores opened and residents moved to the suburbs.
“Each Main Street district tells a unique story of industry, growth, and resilience,” says Amy Hammons, Texas Main Street program coordinator. “The histories of these communities were shaped by the same forces that shaped Texas and national change, including the evolution of rail, petroleum, and agriculture.”
There are 85 communities in the program, and some of them have had the designation for decades. It’s operated by the Texas Historical Commission and mostly funded locally. In total, participants have reported more than $5 billion in reinvestment, half of which was from private investment in those districts.
Participants include towns like Denison, home to the state's longest Main Street district with buildings that are a mix of old and new. Last year, the city won the Great American Main Street Award, which is given by Main Street America, a national organization. The accolade is given to communities that show a commitment to historical preservation and are able to serve as a model for other downtown areas that need to be revitalized.
Learn more about efforts to preserve the state's Main Streets here: https://texashighways.com/culture/texas-main-streets-make-big-dreams-come-true-in-small-towns/
