10K Trail Walk

5/17/2008

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Main Street Days Excursions

5/17/2008 - 5/18/2008

Hop aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad

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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

5/23/2008 - 5/25/2008

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Grapevine Opry

5/23/2008

GOSPEL COUNTRY SHOWCASE

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Summer Train Robberies

5/24/2008

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Grapevine Opry

5/24/2008

IN MEMORY OF

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TOUR ESCORT NOTES

Note for the tour escort: The tour layout is for driving south on Main Street from Northwest Highway. Please modify the order to fit your needs.

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Today, Grapevine’s population is 45,000. Grapevine is actually home to the DFW International Airport that opened in 1974 and is equidistant between our famous suburbs: Dallas and Fort Worth.

Grapevine was established in 1844 as Grape Vine Springs because of the abundance of wild mustang grapevines that grew and still grow here. Too bitter for winemaking, they were used for jams and jellies.

A year earlier in 1843, when Texas was still a republic, then President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas, camped in this area to meet with 10 indian nations and sign a peace treaty that would allow settlers to homestead here and thus allow for further expansion of the western frontier. To this day, it is the only peace treaty with any American Indian nation that has never been broken.

Mustang Grapevine – the wild mustang grapevines that grow so abundantly here, were a saving grace for French vineyards in the late 1800s. An enologist named T.V. Munson, conducted research on the heartiness of the mustang grapevine rootstock in the grape growing region of Bourdeaux, France where the vineyards were hit by a disease called “Phyloxera”, a root rotting disease that was killing the vines. Mr. Munson grafted their vines with mustang grapevine rootstock and saved hundreds of vineyards.

The Grapevine Main Street Historic District which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the buildings are from the late 1800s early 1900s. Over 75 buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. As we travel south on Main Street, you will notice:

The Torian Log Cabin oldest structure in Tarrant County - built in 1845 and lived in until the 1940s. The Grapevine Historical society saved it from demolition in 1970s and moved it here from Lonesome Dove Church area not too far from Main St.

Liberty Park Plaza, dedicated to the pioneer families that walked to Texas as shown by the Walking to Texas Sculpture.

The Wallis Hotel located at the corner of Texas and Main Streets is a replica of the 1891 Wallis Hotel built by John Wallis Terril. It was located where South Prairie Oyster Bar is currently located, close to the 1901 Cotton Belt Depot.

Notice the Public Art, the Sidewalk Judge - tribute to the long time residents of Grapevine who would sit along Main St. and size up everybody that came into town, "hmm he looks like trouble" "hmmm he looks like he's down on his luck." Be sure to come back to have your picture taken with him.

The nightwatchman - Grapevine hired a watchman to patrol Main St. up until
the 1950s. He still watches over Grapevine now from atop City Hall.

The Palace Theater built in 1940 and recently restored to its original Art Deco design, is home of the Grapevine Opry. The $ 5 million dollar restoration is being paid by the proceeds raised from Grapevine’s festivals: Main Street Days and GrapeFest.

The Main Street Gazebo is a replica of the Gazebo that was the site of town gatherings, celebrations and business promotions, Grapevine had its own Coronet Band that performed here. You’ll be dancing here on Saturday afternoon with Rockin’ Retro Saturday’s live music!

The Grapevine Sun has been Grapevine newspaper since 1895 in that same location.

The bank at the corner of Texas and Worth Street, now Bermuda Gold Jewelry, is where Bonnie and Clyde's gang made a substantial withdrawal in the 1930. Bonnie and Clyde were frequent visitors to the area.

Willhoite’s was Grapevine’s first full service filling station in the 1920’s and it still fills you up today! (it’s a restaurant). The original gas pumps are located as you walked in and the early 1900s Ford sitting atop the food and salad buffet bar is sitting on the actual hydraulic car lift. Someone didn't pay for their oil change!

The Old Calaboose Jail used in Grapevine up until the 1950's.

Foust Funeral Home established in 1880s. The Horse drawn hearse was used for funerals here and Mr. Foust was a casket maker, hence examples of his work are displayed.

The red brick that you see in the buildings was actually made here, Grapevine had its own brick factory or kiln.

1901 Cotton Belt Depot – the Grapevine city officials lobbied extensively in the late 1800s to get the railroad to come through Grapevine. The St. Louis Southwestern Railway began service in 1888 and later became known as the Cotton Belt Route. Today, the 1896 Grapevine Vintage Railroad “Puffy” makes its home here and departs on several days for the Fort Worth Stockyards. The following buildings are part of the Cotton Belt Railroad District:

Grapevine Historical Museum – operated by the Grapevine Historical Society, the museum is located in the freight area of the Cotton Belt Depot. It is a family album of Grapevine pioneer families: a glimpse of early life on the Grape Vine Prairie. The following buildings are all part of the this district:

Cotton Belt Section Foreman House – built in the late 1800s, the building was both home and operating headquarters to the railroad men that were assigned to manage portions of track. They were called Section Foreman. They managed the depot, handled freight, and maintained portions of track. They raised their families in these houses and also hosted other rail workers.

C. Millican Blacksmith Shop – replica of the Blacksmith Shop Charlie Millican operated along Main St. in Grapevine until the 1950s. Today it is a living history attraction that demonstrates the ages old art of forging metal into instruments and art pieces. You’ll be sure to discover black gold.