If you’re looking for a slice of Texas history, Alvarado is the perfect place to visit. This small town just south of Fort Worth has been home to Native Americans, settlers, and cowboys for centuries. From its early days as a trading post to its role in the Civil War, Alvarado has a rich history that visitors can explore today. Come see what makes this unique town so special!
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Alvarado, TX, Roots, and History
The Oldest Town in Johnson County
Alvarado was established in 1854. W. Balch donated the land for the town. Abe Onstott, the first sheriff of Johnson County, named it after a brave Spanish officer named Alvarado who fought alongside the Texans in the Mexican War. The current population is 1,284, and the assessed valuation is $1,118,000. Alvarado, Johnson County’s oldest town, is located fifteen miles east of Cleburne on US Highways 67 and 81 and Interstate Highway 35W.
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The Beginnings
Early settler David Mitchell established a trading post near Alvarado in the late 1840s, around the time colonists from W. S. Peters’ empresario grant began to settle the area. Colonist William Balch, who settled on an area land grant in 1852, became known as the “Father of Alvarado” for his efforts in having the townsite surveyed in 1854, establishing the first general merchandise stores on the square, and donating land for a cemetery, school, and union church.
The town, named after Alvarado, Mexico, quickly grew to include a post office, houses, businesses, and churches. A community school founded around 1855 became The Alvarado Masonic Institute in 1875. Rail lines built through Alvarado by the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1881 and the Chicago, Texas, and Mexican Central Railroad in 1884 fueled a local economic boom.
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The Local Economic Boom
Alvarado had several churches, two schools, two gins, an opera house, a bank, a newspaper, and a population of approximately 2,000 people by 1885. In 1899, the Masonic Institute was renamed Alvarado Normal Institute, and in 1908-09, Alvarado High School. A large jail/town hall built on this site in the mid-1880s was demolished in the 1920s and replaced by a garden arrangement, to which a gazebo was later added.
Alvarado had an estimated 1,200 residents and more than fifty businesses by the mid-1920s. Unlike many of its sister communities, Alvarado did not decline during the Great Depression or World War II but instead grew. In 1943, the population was 1,324; by 1980, it had grown to 2700, with sixty local businesses operating. The proximity to Cleburne and the Dallas-Fort Worth area aided growth. The population was 2,918 in 1990. In 2000, the population was 3,288, and by 2010, it had risen to 3,785.
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Alvarado, TX Today
Today, Alvarado is not what it used to be. The town has grown since the early 1900s and has been a great place to live. Aside from being a small town in Texas, Alvarado has improved more over the years and people are deciding to live here. Today, Alvarado has a total crime rate lower than the national average and lower than the state average. The cost of living in Alvarado is lower than the national average and most cities in the state. The housing cost in Alvarado is significantly lower than the national average. To move here is the best way to save money on your housing costs.
Education in Alvarado is phenomenal, The district also works hard to make sure that teachers are qualified and well-prepared for their roles. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1 in most grades—a very good number to ensure quality education. There are plenty of dining options and a lot of family-friendly activities in Alvarado. However, the climate may be more extreme than in other places due to Alvarado’s proximity to Mexico. Although, this has been the case for centuries. Still, the benefits outweigh the negatives in Alvarado.
Alvarado, TX is a town with a rich history and heritage. If you’re looking for a roofing contractor who understands the importance of tradition and community, look no further than GreenLight Roofing and Remodeling. We are proud to be rooted in this historic town and serve our neighbors with quality roofing. Contact us today to get started on your next home improvement project!
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