Heritage & Origin
Honoring the pioneers, landmarks, and milestones that started it all. Celina was born from a vision of perseverance and hard work. By revisiting the original settlements and the arrival of the railroad that connected us to the world, we celebrate the deep historical context that defines our city establishment.
The Story of Celina: A Legacy in Motion
Honoring 150 years of pioneering spirit, perseverance, and community connection.
Celina’s story began long before its official 1876 establishment, rooted in the movement of the Preston Trail and the dreams of settlers drawn to the rich blackland soil of Collin County. Originally settled a few miles southwest of its current location, the town was named by its first postmaster, John T. Mulkey, after his home in Tennessee. While early life revolved around the Methodist church, cotton gins, and general stores, the community’s true defining moment arrived in 1902 with the "Frisco" Railway.
The Legendary Move
When the railroad tracks missed the original settlement by a single mile, the residents refused to be left behind. In a feat of legendary determination, the entire town was placed on rollers and pulled by traction engines to its current site. This remarkable relocation earned Celina the nickname "Rollertown," a testament to the adaptability and unity that still define our DNA today.
The Heart of the City: The Square
In 1910, visionary businessman J. Fred Smith transformed the commercial district from a row of wooden buildings into the iconic brick Downtown Square we cherish today. Completed in just ten months, the Square became the "beating heart" of the community—a place for Saturday drawings, wartime scrap drives, and homecoming parades. It remains the physical embodiment of Celina’s commitment to preserving its character while embracing an explosive future.
A Foundation of Three F's: Faith, Family, Football
For generations, the people of Celina have been anchored by three core values: Faith: Our historic churches have served as moral and spiritual foundations since the 1880s. Family: Multi-generational ties run deep, with legacies built on service and a shared love for the "hometown" feel. Football: From the first state championship in 1974 to the legendary "Friday Night Lights," athletics have unified our community across decades.
Looking Forward to the Next 150 Years
Today, as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, Celina stands at a crossroads. While we look forward to new libraries, parks, and a modern Downtown Center, we remain guided by the spirit of the pioneers who moved a town on rollers to ensure a better future. We are a community where life is, and always has been, connected.
Celina, Texas: 150 Years of People, Passions, Places and Pastimes
Historical Timeline: 150 Years of Connection
Milestones of the "Rollertown" Spirit: A chronological journey from our 19th-century foundation to a 21st-century vision.
1876
The Seeds are Sown: The town of Celina is officially established, drawing settlers to the fertile blackland soil of Collin County.
1902
The "Rollertown" Miracle: When the St. Louis, San Francisco, and Texas Railway (the "Frisco") bypasses the town, residents and merchants famously place their homes and businesses on rollers to move one mile north to meet the tracks.
1879
A Name is Chosen: Postmaster John T. Mulkey christens the settlement "Celina" after his Tennessee hometown, establishing the community’s first post office.
1907
Official Incorporation: Celina is formally incorporated as a city, solidifying its status as a rising hub for commerce and agricultural trade.
1910
Vision for the Square: J. Fred Smith begins designing the Downtown Square, replacing wooden structures with the permanent brick buildings that remain the heart of Celina today.
1915
Paving the Way: The opening of Celina Pike marks the first road in Collin County built exclusively for automobiles, signaling a new era of connectivity.
1948
Educational Milestones: The George Washington Carver School is established, a significant site in our community's history that is now honored with a historical marker.
1976
The Centennial Celebration: Celina celebrates its 100th anniversary alongside the U.S. Bicentennial, reinforcing the "three F's": Faith, Family, and Football.
1974
A Sporting Legacy Begins: Coach G.A. Moore leads the Celina Bobcats to their first state championship, sparking a tradition of athletic excellence that continues to unify the city.
2026
The Sesquicentennial: We celebrate 150 years of heritage, looking ahead to a future guided by the values of our past.
A Journey Through our Legacy
Step through time with the Celina's Historical Walking Tour, a curated visual journey through the landmarks that defined our community. From our 19th-century agricultural beginnings to the transformative arrival of the railroad in 1902, this tour highlights the schools, churches, and civic sites that form Celina’s enduring foundation. We invite you to explore these touchstones of our heritage, connecting the pioneering spirit of our founders to the vibrant, growing city we call home today.