Monday, October 6, 2008

Downtown Showdown, a Photo Series: Lewisville

By Laura Seewoester

A metroplex is more than just the sum of its parts. Or is it? To dive into the true character of Dallas/Fort Worth, here we present the second segment in a photo series featuring the down towns, old(e) towns and city centers that feed into Dallas/Fort Worth. Each city brings its own character that, together, make D/FW such a special place to live. So keep an eye out for us, we will hit your neighborhood downtown soon. The metroplex, however, is a very large place. To tell its story through only two pairs of eyes (mine and staff photographer Laura Evans) wouldn't do it justice. If you have photos of your area city center, send them to our Flickr group and tag them Downtown Your City's Name and we will feature them in the segment on your city.

Lewisville was incorporated in 1925, but remained a rural town until the last few decades. The city originally offered agricultural type goods and services, including a cotton gin and a feed mill, which is still in operation and still owned by the same family. Over the years, the city has hosted the likes of Bonnie and Clyde, Janis Joplin and Led Zepplin.

Today, Lewisville has experienced quite the suburban sprawl, now reaching Carrollton (the Castle Hills subdivision) and close to The Colony, and then all the way over to Flower Mound. Main attractions include the Vista Ridge Mall and Lake Lewisville, although I believe Lake Lewisville still holds the title of deadliest lake in Texas. The city center, aka "Old Town" Lewisville, consists of old buildings that have been resurfaced and remodeled in an effort to revitalize the area, which is along Main Street. One thing Lewisville has managed to hang on to is their roots in agriculture. From the high school mascot (the Fighting Farmers) to the 100+ year-old feed mill, the City of Lewisville screams "farmers!" even if little farming actually takes place there anymore.

Nicknames: I don't think Lewisville has any nicknames. Maybe we can coin one for them. L Ville... Farmer's City (although this seems a little too close to Farmer's Branch). Anyone else?

Photo by Laura Seewoester

The Old Town clock.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

A random Native American chief totem pole thing behind the Lewisville State Bank.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

This fire truck also sits behind the Lewisville State Bank.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

The new City Hall was opened in 2003.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

This house sits behind the feed mill and around the back side of Old Town.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

The Lewisville Feed Mill is Old Town's coolest attraction, if for no other reason that it's over 100 years old and has been passed down generation to generation to this very day.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

Here are the silos attached to the feed mill.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

This barn is attached to the Lewisville Feed Mill.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

Main Street in Lewisville has been recently revitalized and is the main thoroughfare that is home to several boutiques and antique shops.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

On Saturdays from March through November Lewisville hosts a little Farmers Market in the pavillion along Main Street, right in front of City Hall.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

The Farmers Market has such colorful and fresh looking produce, I had to include two photos.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

This elusive looking bobcat sits in the window at the Old Town Gun Shop and Antiques on Main Street. Don't worry, he's stuffed. Poor kitty.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

The Flying Pig is one of the quaint eateries along Main Street.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

The Lewisville Community Theater is housed in a building that was constructed in 1885. This is Lewisville's oldest standing structure. You can see here how the streets still have old school style, as do many old town's in the area.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

If the Emporium is no longer in business, can they still tow you?

Photo by Laura Seewoester

A windmill for sale outside one of the Main Street shops.

Photo by Laura Seewoester

While Old Town is constructed of mainly old (very old) buildings, many of them have had new faces put on for a fresh look. This building corner is the quintessential example of the new covering the old. New Old Town Lewisville.

Does your city or suburb have an awesome downtown? Let us know, and we will make it out there for its very own Downtown Showdown. Next Time: Downtown Grapevine

Related stories

• Downtown Showdown, a Photo Series: Denton (Dec. 15, 2008)
• Downtown Showdown, a Photo Series: Plano (Dec. 1, 2008)
• Downtown Showdown, a Photo Series: McKinney (Nov. 17, 2008)
• Downtown Showdown, a Photo Series: Carrollton (Nov. 3, 2008)
• Downtown Showdown, a Photo Series: Grapevine (Oct. 19, 2008)

See more stories in:

• Photography
• Local History
• Politics and Government > City Government > Lewisville

Comments

Amy Seslowsky Staff

I love the veggie photos!

1 year, 1 month ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

alexander troup Verified

The History of Lewisville really dates back to the 1880s, while it was called other things then that,and there was no real big lake back then, that was all man/made, and yet the first primative man was found there in 1957, Clovis prehistorica, by King Harris the man of the archaelogical..... hour,and it would place Lewisville on the plaezoic map for them on, from National Geographic to Fritz Von Eric,..... Lewisville home of the odd people, but uniques. Alexander Troup. Barnstormer.

1 year ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

alexander troup Verified

Now how do I know all of this, I found an old lewsiville soda pop bottle from the 1890s, downtown in the old saloon and red light area......from the Bons lewsville Bottles Works.. and so they are telling the truth....Alex Troup

1 year ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )