Few towns in the Southwest can boast having two universities in the same zip
code, but Denton, Texas, can. The location of two major educational venues in a
town so close to Dallas and Fort Worth helped to grow not only Denton, but the
entire North Texas region.

Reason to Build
Denton was founded because no one liked Alton. Alton, a stagecoach stop in
southern Denton county, replaced Pickneyville as county seat in 1848, but
Denton county residents voted to build a new town because of either Alton's
putrid waterm, or because Alton was not really centrally located (the story
differs). Thus, Denton became the county seat, but it wasn't until 1896 when the  
courthouse that stands now was built from native stone, replacing an older one
that got was falling apart.

Denton struggled for a bit as it didn't have an east-west railroad, which meant it
could not compete with other commercial centers. However, all that changed in
1890, when North Texas Normal College opened. The private John B. Denton
College opened a few years later. In 1905,  the College of Industrial Arts (for
women)  formed. Though the private college was closed, the two remaining
institutions have a huge impact on Denton to this day - the students of the
University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University make up a quarter of
the city's population.

Life and Death of Namesake
Denton - both the county and city - was named after John B. Denton from
Tennessee. A Methodist preacher turned attorney, Denton died during an Indian
battle in Tarrant county. His comrades buried him by Oliver Creek, but twenty
years later the son of cattle man John Chisum dug him up and reburied him in
his front yard in Bolivar, a town northwest of Denton. In 1901, John Denton saw
the light of day yet again, when he was re-interred on the courthouse lawn.

Things to See and Do
Modern day Denton is a great city. And I'm not saying that just because I live
close by! Because of its proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth, the airport, and its
universities, Denton has become the area's cultural magnet.

The downtown area, with the restored courthouse glistening in the middle, is
home to several unique shops, taverns, restaurants, bakeries, theaters, and
furniture stores. Don't miss the Opera House Bookstore, located in - what else? -
a restored, purple opera house. Inside the courthouse, visit the Courthouse
Museum with its many displays (call 940-565-5667).  Southwest of the square is
the Victorian Bayless-Selby Mansion, open for tours (call 940-349-2865 to find
out more).

Denton's two universities have given the city a small-town feel, with great
neighborhoods to prove it. Bungalows and Craftsman houses mix with cottages,
Italianate mansions, and plenty of green space in most areas of town. The
Hickory Street Historic District provides a great overview of Denton's beautiful
houses. The University of North Texas also provides plenty of culture, such as a
planetarium. And Texas Woman's University's campus is beautiful. Its Little
Chapel in the Woods was dedicated by Eleanor Roosevelt.

The interesting Denton County Historical Museum is housed in a corner of an
outlet mall located off of I35 (940-380-0877). Nearby is Lake Ray Roberts State
Park, a beautiful place to go hiking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding.

For more information about Denton - especially about the many festivals that go
on each year, such as the Jazz Fest and Storyteller's Festival  - visit
www.cityofdenton.com or call the Chamber of Commerce at 888-381-1818.
Cool neon on Campus Theater, downtown
Denton. This theater hosted the world
premier of  the movie Bonnie & Clyde!
TWU's Little Chapel in the Woods,
available for weddings!
The much-moved John B. Denton's
current resting place, on the
courthouse lawn.
How to Get There

Denton lies 30 miles from Dallas and 30
miles from Fort Worth - north - at the
convergence of Interstates 35 East and 35
West. The town's about 60 miles south of
the river. Click on the map to get a better
picture.
The restored 1896 courthouse, built by W.C. Dodson, is
one of the most photographed in Texas.
Also see Keep Denton Local for information
on Denton preservation efforts.
The Quakertown Story

One of the most interesting neighborhoods in Denton doesn't even exist anymore. Quakertown, a freedman's
community nestled at the bottom of Texas Woman's University, was once a vibrant enclave with schools, stores,
and doctor's offices, all catering to Denton's sizable African American population.

In the 1920s, the city of Denton decided to level the neighborhood and create a city park in its place. The idea was
supposed to be an effort to "beautify" the city, but the decision was racially motivated. After all, a black
community sandwiched between the woman's college and downtown was just a little too close for comfort.

The African American homeowners were subjected to eminent domain. A lawsuit filed by residents of
Quakertown lead nowhere, and by 1930 the small streets of Quakertown, save for Bell Avenue, had been
obliterated by a new city park, civic center, and library. Many black Dentonians either left the city in disgust or
moved to the neighborhoods making up Southeast Denton.

Over the years, the story of Quakertown could have been forgotten, but Denton has a strong  attachment to its
past. Instead of "burying" this racist history, Denton seeks to atone for it. The Denton County Historical Park
Foundation is currently renovating a house that came from Quakertown, in which the Denton County African
American Museum will be housed.
An Educated City!