The city of Carrollton, with over 125,000 residents, is a suburb of Dallas and a vibrant community for both residents and corporations. Over 5,000 businesses thrive in the city, which was named the 15th-best place to live in the America by Money Magazine. Thanks to its location and business-friendly structures, as well as its high quality of life, abundance of parks, excellent schools, and overall safety, it is easy to see why people – and companies – choose to call Carrollton home.
Carrollton’s appeal begins with its history, which is carefully preserved at the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum. This facility has its origins in a home built by A.W. and Sarah Perry, pioneer homesteaders, in the second half of the 1800s. The house was torn down by their descendant Dewitt Perry and rebuilt, using much of the same lumber, in the early 1900s. The structure, restored in 1976 and declared a historic landmark in 1977, offers the visitor an authentic glimpse of life at turn-of-the-century north-central Texas.
Another major attraction in Carrollton is the Indian Creek Golf Club, which has won numerous awards for value and quality, including Eagle Golf’s Golf Club of the Year award in 2006. The Club features two, distinctly different and exciting 18-hole courses, the Creek Course and the Lakes Course. The 7235-yard Creek Course, opened in 1984 and recently completely designed and renovated by Jeff Brauer, features lush vegetation and thousands of mature trees. This course received a 4-star rating in Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play in 2008.
The Lakes Course, opened two years later, has a parkland-style layout, with gently rolling greens that now feature Champion Bermuda grass. It is considered more “playable” but still comes in at a 72-par, with 7,000 yards of play.
Another attraction in Carrollton that will attract the sports enthusiast is its Oak Creek Tennis Center. This is a full-service tennis facility, with 12 lighted hard courts, shaded spectator and court benches, and several USPTA-certified tennis pros. There are a wide range of programs, tournaments, and special events, including play for seniors, adults, juniors, and mixed players.
Carrollton’s appeal (and concern for historical and environmental preservation) is also enhanced by the Elm Fork Nature Preserve. Acquired as a woodright in 1861, the owners did not ever clear-cut or developed the land. In 1986 the parcel was donated to the government, and was converted into a nature preserve, as the land basically constituted an undisturbed ecosystem. Many forest animals can be seen on its grounds, from raccoons to beavers to armadillos, as well as birds like the great blue heron, the red-tailed hawk, and snowy egrets. Its many trails are open every day during daylight hours. The preserve also features an Interpretive Center, nature education library, educational pond, and environmental classes. As a general rule, these classes don’t take long to fill up. Visitors to the preserve must observe strict trail etiquette, in an effort to maintain the ecosystem’s integrity. Keep in mind that bicycles and dogs are prohibited within the Preserve.
Finally, no visit to Carrollton is complete without a stroll around the “Old West”-style historic town square. With antique shops, clothing stores, art galleries, and several delicious eateries, it is a wonderful way to begin – or end – your visit to this lovely city. Read more about living in Carrollton apartments for rent.
