05/01/2026
"Main Street America, a subsidiary of the National Trust, named Denison one of three winners of its 2025 Great American Main Street Award."
Denison, Texas offers a compelling example of how historic preservation can drive economic resilience and community pride. After the loss of hundreds of railroad jobs and years of disinvestment, the city chose to reinvest in its historic Main Street rather than abandon it.
By preserving turn-of-the-century buildings, restoring walkable streets, and supporting local businesses through incentives and grants, Downtown Denison TX transformed vacant storefronts into a thriving downtown district.
Today, Main Street generates more than a quarter of the city’s sales tax revenue, attracts millions of visitors each year, and provides a framework for growth that values local identity, encourages entrepreneurship, and keeps economic benefits rooted in the community.
The result is a downtown where history, culture, and opportunity reinforce one another and help ensure a sustainable future for this North Texas city.
Main Street America, a subsidiary of the National Trust, named Denison one of three winners of its 2025 Great American Main Street Award.
Learn more about Denison, Texas: https://ow.ly/iYXv50XL9nC
Pictured: The Katy Depot is an adaptively reused former passenger station in Denison, Texas.
Photo by Craig Washburn
