About Celina
Take a walk down Main Street and immediately you know, things are just a little bit different here. Country music softly plays throughout the downtown streets and a welcoming spirit from shop owners and residents alike, make you feel as if your family has been here for generations, too. Maybe it’s the small touches like these that make the big impact. Or the economic advantages that are getting businesses to take root here. But one thing is for sure. People choose Celina for a reason.
Currently estimated at 18,000, the City of Celina’s population has nearly doubled since 2010, making it the fastest growing city in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. And with growth projections of 350,000, Celina is positioned geographically, demographically and economically to quickly become a major player in the North Texas metropolitan community, creating unique opportunities for businesses and residents unlike any other.
From a strong community spirit comes a series of annual events that keep up the momentum of family fun. From Friday Night Farmer’s Markets to Movies on The Square, Parkfest and Celina’s signature event, CajunFest. And holidays even get an upgrade here with Blast 4th of July Celebration, Trick-or-Treat on the Square and Christmas on The Square.
So much promise lives right here. In a community that opens its arms and welcomes new growth and new opportunities for a new age.
1776 Area Settled
Celina, in the Northwest corner of Collin County, was not established until 1876, but settlers came in the area at a much earlier date. In October, 1879 a little settlement began to form a few miles southwest of the present day Celina. John T. Mulkey, Celina’s first postmaster, renamed the town after Celina, Tennessee.
1884 Settlement Grows
By 1884 the town had a population of 150, including a school, a Methodist church, a cotton gin and gristmill, as well as several other establishments. By 1885, a general store, mill, and a drug store had been opened in “Old Celina”.
1907 City of Celina Incorporated
A Town site company has secured the land for the new “Celina”, which was part of a pasture belonging to the late William Willock. The company had taken the fences down, marked off the streets, and placed the lots for sale. In 1907, the town was officially incorporated with Will Newsom serving as the first mayor.
1937 Business Booming
A partial listing of businesses and professional services in 1937 included a dry goods store, 7 gas stations, 2 drug stores, and ice cream factory, 2 grain elevators, 1 flour mill, 2 ice houses, 3 cotton gins, laundry, lumber yard, shoe and harness shop, jewelry store, blacksmith, bank, movie theatre, churches, and a modern brick school building.
1997 Main Street Designation
The City of Celina was designated as an official Main Street City by the Texas Historical Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1997 and for 20 years the Historic Downtown Square has remained the heart of the city.
2018 New Downtown Masterplan
The City of Celina’s biggest physical asset, as identified by the community, is its downtown and square area. To establish the vision of what Downtown should look like and how it should evolve, the Downtown Master Plan’s major goal is to establish that vision through illustrative concepts and supporting text and recommendations.
Make the Right Choice.
The members of our EDC team would love to connect with you and discuss how Celina can help your family, business and enterprise grow. Contact us today!
