History of Colleyville, Texas and its commercial corridor

Before there was a city, there were settlements. The Handbook of Texas names Spring Garden, Pleasant Run, Pleasant Glade, and Red Rock (later Bransford). The city's FY 2025-2026 budget says the "name honors Dr. Lilburn Howard Colley, who settled in the community in the 1880s." His Texas Historical Commission marker records a move "from Missouri to Texas in 1880" and says "They settled in Bransford Community in 1885". The marker adds: "Dr. Colley suggested naming the area Colleyville."

What this left on the ground: older deeds, plats and surveys may sit under a community name nobody uses today. When a title search on an older tract looks thin, ask the title company to search the earlier names too.

Next came the rails. The city's history page describes a line "passing through the hamlet of Red Rock in the Colleyville area in 1888". The Texas Historical Commission marker for Bransford says "In 1889 the post office was moved to Red Rock on the route of the St. Louis, Arkansas, and Texas Railroad." The Handbook of Texas says "the St. Louis Southwestern Railway ran through the community". The quoted text does not say whether that is the same line the marker names, so both names appear as written.

The rail town did not last. The marker says "The closing of the Bransford Post Office in 1913 and the advent of highway travel contributed to the decline of Bransford." The city's history page puts it as "the automobile took precedence over railroads for passenger travel".

The crossings are still on the city's agenda. In October 2025, Community Impact reported the city "approved an agreement with TxDOT for upgrading the pavement markings and signage at all three railroad crossings at Bransburg Road, Pleasant Road and John McCain Road".

If a site sits near a crossing, drive it the way your customers or trucks would, at the hours they would come. Train noise and crossing waits matter more to some uses than others, so weigh them for yours.

Local trade shows up next as a single store. The Handbook of Texas mentions "a store founded in 1914 south of Bransford." The city's history page names it: "a store opened by W.G. Couch on Glade Road south of Bransford in 1914."

It was still a small place when it became a city. The Handbook of Texas says "The earliest reported population for Colleyville was twenty-five in 1936." Both the Handbook and the city's history page say "Colleyville was incorporated on January 10, 1956." The Texas Municipal League lists "Year Incorporated: 1956." The city's budget says Colleyville "began with less than two square miles and a modest population of approximately 250 residents."

A city that grew outward from a small core can carry older lots and buildings that predate today's code. Before you buy or re-tenant an older property, ask the city whether its current use and layout conform, and what a change of use would trigger.

After incorporation, the count climbed. The Handbook of Texas reports: "By 1964 the city had 1,491 residents." The city's history page says "it grew to 6,700 in 1980." The city's FY 2025-2026 budget refers to "substantial growth during the late 1970s and early 1980s" and describes the city as "situated near State Highways 121 and 183." The 1990 history text says "Grapevine Highway (Highway 26) passes through its center".

Growth also brought a debate. The Handbook of Texas notes that "The town in the early 1980s became divided over the issue of development." It adds: "In 1990 the population of Colleyville was 12,724, and in 2000 it grew to 19,636." The city later wrote a 2004 comprehensive plan, which Destination Colleyville builds upon. The Census Bureau estimate for Colleyville city, Texas was 25,727 on July 1, 2025.

Expect questions about scale at any public hearing. If your project needs a zoning change, read the comprehensive plan first and frame the request in its terms.

The City of Colleyville says "The Colleyville City Charter was first adopted in 1976" and that it was "last revised on Nov. 8, 2016". The Texas Municipal League lists "Government Type: Home Rule". The city describes a "Council-Manager Form of Government." The business community organized the same year as the charter: "The Colleyville Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1976 by a dozen businesses".

Under a home rule charter the city writes much of its own rulebook, so the answer to a zoning or sign question comes from the city's code, not a general state rule. Ask city staff early, and look up the business group that has been working with them for decades.

Community Impact describes the road as "SH 26, also called Colleyville Boulevard." The city's project page said "The Texas Department of Transportation will construct SH26 into a six-lane roadway with raised curbed medians." The same page said "TxDOT anticipates completion in 2019." It ran longer. In July 2019, Community Impact reported "Construction of the SH 26 widening project will continue into 2020". In January 2020, it reported "TxDOT has been working since 2016 to widen 3 miles of the road at a cost of $38.2 million."

In March 2021, The Dallas Morning News reported the road "has been transformed into a six-lane roadway by the Texas Department of Transportation." The same report mentions "a bridge over Little Bear Creek". In November 2021, Community Impact reported: "According to Mark Wood, Colleyville assistant city manager, the TxDOT project is complete."

Raised medians decide which drivers can turn into a lot. When you compare two buildings on the boulevard, check whether each has a median opening, a signal or a side street entrance, because a customer who has to make a U-turn may not come back.

The 2015 comprehensive plan, Destination Colleyville, will guide the city through 2035. Community Impact reported council members passing the ordinance "in a 5-2 vote." The plan says "Colleyville Boulevard is not only the city’s main economic engine, but is also the key to defining the character of Colleyville." The city's FY22 budget says "the roadway serves as a true main street for Colleyville."

Both ends of the boulevard have seen land deals. The city's FY23 budget says "The City has purchased 41 acres within the Northern Gateway at SH26 and John McCain". In November 2025, Community Impact reported that the council approved a Letter of Intent with Huntington Properties, a retail developer, for the purchase of 5.7 acres at the southern gateway located on Acuff Lane and SH 26. In April 2026, it reported "The Green Ribbon Project work includes installing irrigation systems and planting ornamental trees, shrubs and ground cover". Community Impact has since reported "Colleyville has increased its retail occupancy rate to 96% and given out over $7.8 million in grants to local businesses since 2018".

When most of the commercial stock lines one road, a side-street address has to win on price, parking or access. If you own near either end of the boulevard, follow what gets approved at the gateways, since it can change who drives past your door. Current projects are on the development tracker.

• Marker Number 491, Bransford: "In 1889 the post office was moved to Red Rock on the route of the St. Louis, Arkansas, and Texas Railroad."
• Marker Number 1272, Dr. Lilburn Howard Colley: "Dr. Colley suggested naming the area Colleyville."
• Marker Number 401, Bidault House: the Atlas lists "Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Yes," and the marker says "Bidault's farm became noted for its orchards, berry fields, and vineyard." The house is "Constructed of molded concrete blocks."
• Marker Number 4053, Pleasant Run School, and Marker Number 12212, Pleasant Glade Baptist Church. A school marker reads "Classes were last held here in 1962, soon after consolidation with Grapevine."

A recorded landmark on or next to a parcel can bring extra review to exterior work. If you plan to renovate or redevelop near one, ask the city and the county historical commission what applies before you design.

Read the history as a map. Ask how a building is reached from the main road, whether its lot predates the current code, and what the city wants for that stretch of the corridor. A tenant should weigh access and visibility. An owner or buyer should pull the plat, the zoning and the plan's goals for the area before pricing a different use.

The zoning and building permits guide covers the approval steps, and fun facts about Colleyville covers the city at a glance.