The City of Allen is diligently preparing for its 150th birthday commemoration, called a sesquicentennial. This will align with the USA’s 250th birthday, known as a semiquincentennial. Both events are sure to draw diverse crowds, history buffs, and maybe even multigenerational families. So get ready for the community block party of—quite literally—the century!
“As both mayor and a longtime resident, I’m proud of the strong, connected community we’ve built. This milestone gives us a chance to honor our history, celebrate the people who make Allen special, and look ahead with confidence,” says Allen Mayor Baine Brook.
Allen’s 150th birthday celebration will continue all year long throughout 2026, with various happenings leading up to the main event, called Allen 150 Fest, held on April 25, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. A community-wide party will be held downtown between the Allen Train Depot and Allen Public Library, with local vendors, historical figures dressed in costume, tours of the Allen Depot, street performances, live music, and food trucks. Local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents are invited to join the city’s 150th birthday celebration as volunteers, sponsors, and vendors, helping create a memorable community event.
“This event is all about celebrating the incredible community we have here in Allen, including the people who’ve poured their time, energy, and heart into making this city what it is,” says Chelsey Aprill, Director of Public and Media Relations. “We’re proud to work alongside our residents as we continue shaping Allen’s future, whether through encouraging vibrant businesses or creating beautiful, welcoming spaces in our neighborhoods.”
In 1953, Allen was incorporated with a population of 400. Today, Allen stands proud as a vibrant city with a population of 111,963 (according to a 2023 estimate).
We Can Reimagine the Future of Allen When We Pay Homage to Its Past
“Allen’s geography put us on the map,” explains Aprill. In the 1870s, the construction of the Houston & Texas Central Railway (H&TC) from Galveston to Denison on the Red River through Houston and Allen was a game changer. The railroad spurred growth for the surrounding locales by accelerating trade and transport for primarily agricultural-oriented businesses.
The steam locomotive that traveled on this railroad needed a new supply of water at ten-mile intervals. This led to the construction of a water station in Allen along the H&TC route, using a dam of stone blocks built into Cottonwood Creek.
In 1876, the original map of the Town of Allen was filed. The town was named for Ebenezer Allen, a former attorney general of Texas and promoter of the railroad. The railroad gained notoriety in 1878 when Sam Bass and his gang committed the state’s first train robbery in Allen.
We’ve Come a Long Way Since 1878
“One hundred and fifty years in Allen means stepping into a story that began long before I arrived, and a story I now have the privilege to help tell,” shares Mary Foster, Manager, Allen Heritage and Cultural Arts Program. “It’s a reminder that communities are living things, shaped by each person who chooses to plant roots here.”
Today, small businesses are the bread and butter of Allen, and many continue to relocate here. Recently, Allen was named the best city to move to in Texas (and ranked third for the best places to live in the South by Consumer Affairs) and recognized for its parks, safety, affordability, and overall quality of life:
- Allen has the highest percentage of people living within a 10-minute walk of a green space, at 87 percent.
- It possesses the lowest property crime rate of the largest Texas cities (8.46 crimes per 1,000 residents).
- Allen features a home-price-to-income ratio that ranks seventh lowest in the state.
Local love for Allen is strong, and the city expects a festive turnout. Free shuttle service will be provided from Allen High School to the event. For ongoing updates, visit www.allen150.org. Because everyone deserves a great birthday bash!