Introduction to Carrollton, Texas
The Texas city of Carrollton is located on Interstate Highway I-35 about 18 miles north of Dallas. Situated within parts of three Texas counties (Denton, Dallas, and Collin), the city is surrounded by the Texas communities of Addison (to the east), Farmer's Branch (to the south), and Coppell (to the west). Other major roads serving Carrollton include Texas State Highways 190 and 121. Carrollton is a suburb of Dallas and is considered part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
First settled in the 1840s, Carrollton was most likely named after Carrollton, Illinois, the hometown of some of its early settlers. Exclusively an agricultural community in its early days, Carrollton soon benefited from the advent of railway lines and by 1888 had evolved into a shipping center for livestock, grain, cotton, and cottonseed. In 1913 the city became incorporated, and soon thereafter established itself as a significant player in the gravel market. After the second World War, the city began to experience a period of growth which was later enhanced by a spillover effect from north Dallas. Carrollton's population continues to grow to the present day.
Attractions in the Carrollton area
Every fall for over one hundred years, area residents and visitors have enjoyed the month-long Texas State Fair held in Dalla’s Fair Park. The huge festival includes about 200 food booths, along with numerous rides, a light show, and the Blockbuster Starlight Parade featuring floats, costumes, giant puppets and acrobats. Other area attractions include:
- Dallas Arboretum: Features colorful gardens on display throughout the year
- West Texas Music Hall of Fame: A Fort Worth landmark which preserves the history of Texas music
- The Sixth Floor Museum: Located on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building in Dallas, the spot where the sniper's gun was found, the museum preserves information on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
- Billy Bob's Texas: A massive nightclub which hosts country music acts, professional bull riding, and dancing
- Old City Park: A living history museum in Dallas which portrays life in North Texas from 1840-1910
- McKinney Trolley: An historic trolley system circa early 20th century
- Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park: Home to thousands of aquatic animals
- Amon Carter Museum (Fort Worth)
- Dallas Zoo
- National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
- Ft. Worth Zoo
- Irving Arts Center
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is replete with major-league and minor-league sports teams covering a wide variety of sports. The following teams reside within an hour's drive of Carrollton:
- Baseball: Texas Rangers (MLB)
- Football: Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
- Basketball: Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
- Hockey: Dallas Stars (NHL)
- Soccer: FC Dallas (MLS)
- Arena football: Dallas Desperados (Arena Football League)
- Minor league baseball: Frisco Roughriders (Texas League Class-AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers)
- Minor league baseball: Fort Worth Cats (playing in the independent American Association)
- Minor league basketball: Fort Worth Flyers (NBA Development League)
