Community & Legacies

The people and traditions that define us: Honoring the stories of yesterday to inspire the Celina of tomorrow. The heart of Celina has always been its people. This section serves as the central hub for our collective history, gathering the personal narratives and milestones that have shaped our community over the last 150 years. By celebrating the families, landmarks, and shared memories found here, we ensure that the rich heritage of our past remains a living part of our future.

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Community Legacies

Voices of Celina

TUNE IN

Community Legacies

Honoring the people, places and pastimes that define the soul of Celina.

As we celebrate our 150th year, we dedicate this central hub to the personal histories and magazine features that serve as the heartbeat of our community. This collection of tributes explores the pioneering spirit of those who first put our town on rollers and the enduring traditions that have flourished since 1875. From the deep-rooted legacies of our founding families to the beloved pastimes of Friday nights and downtown celebrations, these stories are more than a look back — they are a commitment to keeping our rich heritage alive for the next 150 years.

Roots Run Deep: Six Generations of Celina's Pioneer Families

As Celina celebrates its 150th year, we honor the pioneers who didn't just settle the land, but wove the values of faith, family, and service into the very fabric of our city.

A Tribute to Coach G.A. Moore

The Embodiment of Texas Football Excellence

A Legacy to 303 W. Pecan St: A Cornerstone of Celina's History

Currently home to HeySugar, this structure carries within its walls stories of commerce, community, and resilience that mirror the history of Celina itself.

Celina Longhorns

The presence of these cattle assures locals a much-needed connection to their past, while offering newcomers a welcome steeped in history and pride.

Honoring Celina Fire Chief Mark Metdker

After 16 years in Celina, and serving as both Celina's Fire Chief and Celina's Police Chief, Mark Metdker bids the City farewell.

Gathered & Grateful

Rounding up holiday traditions in our hometown.

Celina's Heritage Museum Opens a Window into Our Past

The museum opens the floodgates of this community's storied past and gives locals a chance to immerse themselves in the Celina history.

County and State Mark Places to be Etched for All Time

Featuring Celina Historic Square, Nelson Hotel, Cottage Hill Methodist Church & Cemetery, and more.

Bobcat Field Forever

For fans of the game and for others who just loved the town, football season has always been a ritual.

Celina, Texas: 150 Years of People, Passions, Places, and Pastimes

Where Lives Connect: Tracing Celina's 150-Year Journey from a Cattle Trail Outpost to a Modern City Centered on its Historic Square.

The Visionary Leadership of Corbett Howard: Architect of Modern Celina

Corbett Howard's visionary leadership as Celina's Mayor (2002-2008) built the foundation for the City's rapid growth. His strategic focus on infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life shaped modern Celina.

Preserving Celina's Story: The Heritage Museum's Next Chapter

The museum's story began 25 years ago with a conversation among friends who shared a passion for preserving Celina's unique heritage.

The Nelson Hotel

The Nelson Hotel represents generations of home, hard work, and love for family and Celina.

The Gatherings That Shaped the Events We Now Love

A historical journey through the City's festivals and celebrations.

Heart & Soul

How Celina grapples while preserving the heart and heritage that defines the community.

The Evolution of Celina's Downtown Renaissance

The City's centerpiece is now the premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Celina High School's Journey to the Hilltop

The historical school buildings that paved the way.

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Rooted in Celina: The Ousley Legacy and the Land That Remembers

How an unwavering six-generation legacy of vision, stewardship, and devotion to community helped shape Celina.

The Sentinel of Celina's Football Story: The Historic Press Box of Bobcat Field

The old Bobcat press box is a shrine - not to nostalgia, but to legacy.

The Evolution of Celina's Historic Downtown Square: A Place of Community & Progress

In the heart of Celina, Texas stands a testament to both history and progress - the City's iconic and beloved Downtown Square.

A Class Deeply Rooted

Every senior class that walks across a stage and into its future bears unique characteristics that define its character and legacy.

The Legacy and Future of Public Safety in Celina

Public safety departments in Celina have stayed ahead of the City's growth, maintaining a high level of comfort and security.

Connected to Our Past

Celebrating the historic origins of our local schools' namesakes.

Connected to Our Past

Two siblings and eight decades of memories in their Downtown Celina Square.

Celina's Greatest Heroes

Our World War II Veterans.

Voices of Celina

Celebrating our sesquicentennial through the voices that built Celina.

Throughout this commemorative year, the Life Connected. Podcast will serve as our central hub for oral histories, featuring special anniversary episodes that dive deep into the families, traditions, and milestones of our first 150 years. With a refreshed visual identity and new ways to listen — including video podcasting and audiobook-style "mini-episodes" — it has never been easier to experience Celina’s enduring legacy. We invite you to listen as we highlight the pioneering spirit, rich history, and modern innovation that make Celina, Texas, truly one of a kind.

Life Connected. Podcast

Life Connected. Podcast: Rex & Sherese Glendenning

20:17

A Legacy in Motion: Press Box at Old Bobcat Stadium

06:10

Life Connected. Podcast: Corbett Howard

49:08