MURPHY, TEXAS

Collin County, Central Texas North

33° 1' 51" N, 96° 36' 47" W (33.030833, -96.613056)
FM 544
5 Miles E of Plano
SW of McKinney the county seat
22 miles NE of downtown Dallas
Population: 17,708 (2010) 3,099 (2000)

Murphy Area Hotels › McKinney Hotels

First Baptist Church
See Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Mike Price, January 2008
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History in a Pecan Shell

First settlement began with the Peters Colony land grants in the 1840s. The original name of Old Decator, came from the hometown of the landowner and developer C. A. McMillian.

With the arrival of the St. Louis and Southwestern Railroad in the late 1880s, the town’s name was changed to honor Wm. Murphy who donated a railroad right-of-way.

A post office was granted in 1891 and Murphy settled in as a railroad shipping point.

By the mid 1950s the population has shrunk to around 150 and the post office was closed. The population hit rock-bottom in the early 1960s with a mere 135 residents.

By 1986 the population had grown to 1,500 and has doubled for the 2000 Census.

Murphy, Texas Landmarks

Photographer's Note:

The church and the school comprise a large chunk of what is left of old Murphy. Just about everything else, not that there was a lot to start with, is gone. - Mike Price, January 05, 2008

Murphy TX - Murphy Public School WPA Project

Murphy Public School, a WPA Project
Photo courtesy Mike Price, January 2008

Photo courtesy Mike Price, January 2008.
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Murphy TX - Murphy Public School cornerstone

Murphy Public School cornerstone.
More Texas Cornerstones
Photo courtesy Mike Price, January 2008

Murphy TX - Murphy School WPA Project plaque

WPA Project 1938-1940 plaque
Photo courtesy Mike Price, January 2008

Murphy TX - First Baptist Church Historical Marker

First Baptist Church Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Mike Price, January 2008

First Baptist Church of Murphy Historical Marker

In 1900, twelve years after the founding of Murphy, local resident Mrs. May Cockrell directed the formation of this congregation. Aware of the need for a Baptist church in the community, she hosted the organizational meeting in her home. Present were many of her friends, including the Rev. G.W. McCalla a Baptist preacher from Plano, and Bob Coleman of the Plano Star-Courier. The same year Mrs. Louisa Brown donated land at this site for construction of the sanctuary. Since 1900 the congregation has made many significant contributions to the community.

Take a road trip

Murphy, Texas Nearby Towns:
McKinney the county seat
Plano
Dallas
See Collin County | Central Texas North

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