BUCKNER, TEXAS

Collin County’s First Seat of Government
A Ghost Town since the 1850s

Texas Ghost Town
Collin County, Central Texas North

3 Miles N of McKinney the county seat
N of Dallas
Population: 0

History in a Pecan Shell

Buckner dates from the early 1840s when Arkansan John McGarrah owned 649 acres here. As owner of a trading post, McGarrah saw the influx of settlers into the area and donated 50 acres for a townsite.

Collin County was established in April of 1846 and as dictated by state law – county seats needed to be as near the center of the county as possible. On Independence Day 1846, McGarrah’s prepared site was selected, although the determining committee failed to select an alternative as directed. Named Buckner, the town was to receive a post office that year.

But since the new town failed to meet the letter of the law in that Collin County voters had no other site to vote on, another election was held in 1848 that resulted in McKinney being declared the legal seat of government.

Buckner was deserted within a year and became of one of Texas’ earliest ghost towns.

Take a road trip

Buckner, Texas Nearby Towns:
McKinney
Dallas
See Collin County | Central Texas North

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