Company Profile
City of Carrollton
Company Overview
Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the City of Carrollton is a vibrant corporate and residential community. The City's location and business cost advantages attract and support a diverse local economy with over 9,000 businesses calling Carrollton home. Residents are drawn to the City for its high quality of life, abundant parks, schools and safe neighborhoods.
Connection
Carrollton is connected not only by transit options such as rail and highways; it is also connected in that family and friends feel rooted here. The City is connected to its past and history; it is connected to the Dallas- Fort Worth Metroplex
Convenience
Located 20 minutes from everything, including shopping, restaurants, nightlife and proximity to major U.S. cities. In addition, it is convenient and easy to do business with the City, whether a resident or developer.
Community
A big City that feels like a small town, a place where neighbors know and care about each other, where family, community and church still come first and where people continue to look out for each other.
Company History
The Name
Most local historians believe Carrollton received its name from the hometown of early settlers, who came from Carrollton, Illinois. The name was officially established on May 16, 1878, when the first U.S. Post Office opened in Carrollton.
Settlers
Carrollton's early settlers arrived in the 1840s. These early settlers purchased land from The Peters Colony. These hardy pioneers were rugged individuals with incredible courage to risk it all for their dream of a better life and an even better life for future generations. These people had the determination to withstand the hardships of their treacherous journeys to this untamed frontier - a foreign and wild country. These several hundred industrious families shared a dream of prosperity. They planted crops, raised cattle and sheep, and built homes and churches.
CH Fyke House_William and Lura Dale Fyke Family One story told is about an early settler who came to scout the area before bringing his family to this area. He was so impressed with what he saw that he scooped up a handful of dirt to take back to his family to show them how rich the soil was for farming.
Another story with a different outcome is told about a family arriving from Europe. They were frightened by the sight of the longhorns and returned to Europe. Most settlers were farmers, but teachers, lawyers, preachers, and doctors also came to the area. Farming was the main form of occupation, but many professionals supplemented their income by farming and raising cattle.
The settlers typically married young and had large families. An average cabin might have been only 12 x 14 feet and would hold two parents with seven children.
The 1850 Federal Census for Dallas County and its neighboring counties reveals that most families had migrated from another state before settling in the area. Although these early pioneers seemed to be nomadic, they found their roots in North Texas.
During this time of settlement, newcomers were camping and building cabins in an area around present-day Perry Park. The rise of the land to the south provided a good lookout advantage, and the springs provided plenty of clear, fresh water. After the initial hardships of the journey and the first few years of settling in, life took on a normal routine for these Carrollton settlers. A list of menu items from a 1903 reunion of one of the first families is as follows: Branch Water, Salted Pecans, Buffalo Broth, Steer Portage, Buffalo Ham, Bear Ribs, Jack Rabbit with Onions, Roast Mallard Duck, Prairie Hen Fricassee, Venison, Wild Turkey,Terrapin Roast with Wild Honey, Cucumber Pickles, Sweet Potatoes,Coffee, Tea, and Sweet Milk, Pumpkin Pie, Indian Pudding, Devonshire Cream, Dried Peaches, Persimmons, Red Haws, and Pig Plums.
Indians
The city of Carrollton is a part of a greater area of land that was once home to the Wichita Indians. This group was divided into several tribes - the most predominant being the Tawakonis, Wacos, Taovayas, and Wichita's proper. They migrated from what is now Kansas and established villages along the Trinity, Red, and Brazos rivers about the same time the French and Spanish were competing to establish a foothold in east Texas in the late 1600s. The Wichita Indians were short and stockily built, with very dark skin color. Both men and women practiced extensive tattooing on their faces and bodies. They seem to have gotten along well and conducted trade with the French, although they often fought the Spanish. In addition to hunting buffalo, the Wichita tribes were industrious and grew crops such as pumpkins, squash, beans, corn, and maize. They were excellent horsemen and placed a great value on their horses. Women often held places of leadership in the tribes and shared in the work with the men.
The Comanches, who eventually got control of the Red River area, were a constant threat to the Wichita Indians. They also had difficulties with the migration of Anglos into North Texas and eventually removed themselves to a reservation in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) near present day Anadarko, Oklahoma.
An excellent article on Texas Indians can be found at The Handbook of Texas Online.
Commerce
By 1853, Trinity Mills was a thriving grain mill, which was typically surrounded by wagons, carts, buggies, horses, and people. The mill produced flour and meal from corn and wheat. People came from miles around to have their corn and wheat ground into meal and flour. The exact location of this two-story rock gristmill is not known, but it is reported to be on the south bank of White Rock Creek, east of present-day Farmers Branch-Carrollton. A large grain elevator was built in 1950 for storage of private and government supplies. Cotton was king during this period in history, and cotton gins that had been built in the area to accommodate a few settlers began to ship cotton and cotton seed throughout the nation. There were about 13 cotton gins in the Carrollton area at the beginning of 1900. The 1924 cotton crop from the Carrollton area produced 300 bales.
Around 1904, a new industry emerged in Carrollton - manufacturing brick. The Carrollton Pressed Brick Company was located northeast of the Carrollton Town Square, adjacent to the Cotton Belt and Frisco railroads. The best-known structures made from brick produced at this plant are the Belle Allen home on Clint Street, the chimney and fireplace in the Wade H. Perry home, the Gravley Hardware store on the Carrollton Square, the Vandergriff building on the southwest corner of the Carrollton Square, and possibly some stores on the north side of the square. It is also reported that the old high school in Grapevine was made from Carrollton brick. Brick from this plant is easily identified. They have the name CARROLLTON embedded on it and are highly prized by collectors.
In 1890 the first telephone went into operation in Carrollton, and the first commercial electricity became available in 1913 when a private power plant opened.
The first composite listing of business, industrial, and professional services available in Carrollton is found in the Texas State Gazetteer and Business Directory for 1882. With an estimated population of 500, the town had one steam gristmill, four cotton gins, two churches, and two schools. Exports were cotton and grain.
Railroads
A new era was beginning for Carrollton with the arrival of railroads and a post office in the late 1800s. Carrollton quickly emerged from an agricultural community to a hub of bustling business and professional activity. The Dallas-Wichita Railroad arrived in Carrollton in 1879. By 1908, there were three railroads using Carrollton as a way station. The Cottonbelt and the Katy Railroads provided passenger service and maintained a depot while the Frisco Railroad only provided freight service. Prior to the 1940s, all significant commerce was by rail. The tracks of all three intersected just north of what is now the Carrollton Town Square. Having three railroads intersect was unique for this part of the country and contributed to Carrollton's early prosperity. With the coming of the railroads, Carrollton developed into a sizable shipping center, particularly for cattle. A depot was established in Carrollton, and daily mail was then available by rail. In 1922 the Texas Interurban Railway, an electric train, began passenger service in Carrollton for transport between Dallas and Denton. The first locomotive to the area was in 1923.
Schools
Since the ability to read and write was not necessary for farming at that time, a large number of farmers were illiterate, but they wanted a good education for their children. With this focus on education, the Carrollton community was intent on providing educational facilities. Various private schools were established with the cooperative efforts of several families who furnished a meeting place and paid for a teacher's salary and schoolroom equipment. The first school was started in 1856 in the Union Baptist Church, where Perry Cemetery is located today.
Around 1871, in a log cabin with a dirt floor and Mrs. Lou Skinner as the teacher, school was held for about 25 pupils who came on horseback or on foot. The cabin was located on what is now Denton Drive near the area of Jeanette Way. This cabin was moved in 1873 to the present-day intersection of Josey Lane and Country Club Road with John Larkin as the teacher.
Although there had been schools in Carrollton prior to 1890, the first building that was officially dedicated as a schoolhouse was erected circa 1890. Located near the present-day intersection of Josey Lane and Country Club Drive, it was called Carrollton Academy.
On September 1, 1902, a new two-story frame schoolhouse admitted its first students. It was on the northeast corner of College Avenue (now Belt Line Road) and Erie Street at the foot of the hill and offered first through tenth grades. Although it was a public school, tuition was still charged, as there were no school property taxes at that time.
Town Square
In 1900 George Myers and his brother J.S. filed a plat for property on what would become the east and south sides of the Carrollton Town Square. Then in 1901, they filed a plat for property to the west, and the town square began to take shape. By 1913 the town square was the center of a thriving community. The Carrollton Mercantile Company, besides being a dry goods and general store, offered hearses for funerals - your choice of black or gray, with matching horses owned by Arch Fyke. With the convenience of being located near the railroads, Carrollton Town Square developed where it did because of its abundant water supply. A creek ran through the middle of the square. Eventually a pump was installed, and water was piped to stores and a few homes. The water works and a hand-pushed fire hose cart were concealed in the bottom of the bandstand that was erected in the middle of the town square where the current-day gazebo now stands.
Due to the efficient water supply in the area, Carrollton's first ice wagon delivery business began in 1904 or 1905. There was one delivery of ice each week except when the weather grew hotter - then two deliveries a week were made. Ice tea was usually a Sunday treat along with homemade ice cream. Before ice was available, a family built shelving or boxes made of wood or brick for submerging in a spring or creek so the milk and butter would stay cool and fresh. If a spring or creek was not close, wet cloths were wrapped around the milk pails and butter dishes and placed into the windows so the breeze would keep the dampened cloths cool.
Perishable fruits and vegetables were canned, preserved, or pickled, and meat was cured with smoke or salt and kept hanging in a smokehouse.
The gazebo in the middle of current-day Carrollton Town Square was built in 1921. Concerts by the town band, speeches by political candidates, and Saturday dances provided entertainment on the square.
The first theater in Carrollton was an outdoor, makeshift screen stretched across the side of the George F. Myers Grocery Store. The Plaza Theater was built in 1949 and still stands today. This theater served patrons from a 10-mile radius until the 1970s.
The town square is still an active retail area. Click here to go to the Old Downtown Carrollton Association website.
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Government
On June 14, 1913, Carrollton voted to incorporate as a general law city. The vote was 52 for and 23 against. The first city officers were elected on July 19, 1913, with William Forrest Vinson elected as Carrollton's first Mayor. For reasons now unknown, Vinson declined the office. Junius Tribble (J.T.) Rhoton qualified and served as Mayor through 1915. The City of Carrollton received a deed from J.R. McFarland in 1933. This property is located on the southeast corner of College Avenue (now Belt Line Road) and Denton Drive. This became the site for Carrollton's first City Hall and fire station.
By the mid-1920s, Carrollton had held its first bond election and organized a volunteer fire department. During the next two decades, Carrollton's first official police force was hired. Carrollton's first city charter was adopted in 1961, providing for a home-rule form of government under a manager and city council.
Governor John Connally attended Carrollton's 50th anniversary ceremony in 1963 and dedicated a new library and recreation center.
Benefits
Health Coverage
The City of Carrollton offers two medical options from Cigna to choose from.
Cigna has two network options; Local Plus and Open Access. Verify if your physician or facility is affiliated with either the Local Plus or Open Access Network to determine the best health care option for you. You can access a list of providers at Cigna.
Employee Health & Wellness Center
Life Insurance
The City offers Basic Life Insurance policies for eligible employees. An Accidental & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy is also offered. If eligible, both policies are paid at two-times the annual salary. Supplemental Employee & Dependent Life Insurance can also be purchased.
Long Term Disability Coverage provided by the City.
Dental Coverage
The City offers a dental plan through Cigna.
Vision Coverage
The City offers a vision plan with Superior Vision Services. To access a provider directory, go http://www.superiorvision.com and click on "Eyecare Providers".
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employees have confidential access to the Employee Assistance Program through Aetna.
Retirement Plans
Texas Municipal Retirement System Employee contributes 7% - City matches 2:1 upon retirement.
For current information on TMRS please visit http://www.tmrs.org/
Deferred Compensation
The City offers a 457 plan which is administered by MissionSquare. If an employee contributes 4.65% per paycheck, the City will match with 2.35%. Employees can contribute pre-tax and/or post-tax. For more information on MissionSquare visit https://www.missionsq.org/.
Roth IRA
The City offers an additional way to save for retirement through a Roth IRA. Contributions are made on an after-tax basis and can be payroll deducted.
RHS Retirement Health savings account offered through MissionSquare for eligible employees.
Social Security
The City does not participate in Social Security. If you have specific questions regarding your social security benefits please click http://www.ssa.gov/
Medicare
The City contributes 1.45% to Medicare along with the employee contribution of 1.45%.
Holidays
Ten paid holidays per year:
Civil Service: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, 9/11, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
Non Civil Service: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Other benefits
Longevity Pay - Civil Service only
Positions Available
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