If you grew up in Collin County in the 50s, you may recall that Greenville Avenue or Highway 5 was a two-lane road called Highway 75. Earlier residents knew that this formerly served as a wagon road that Native Americans used prior to the arrival of the Anglo settlers.

Robin Cole-Jett, author of Traveling History Up the Cattle Trails: A Road Tripper's Guide to the Cattle Roads of the Southwest, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday March 9, at the Allen Public Library.  This is a free event and will web cast at https://actv.org/  by clicking on the WATCH button.  Robin will discuss the once popular but now forgotten roads and ferry crossings of this region. 

In this presentation, Cole-Jett will use maps to explore the former transportation routes and how they evolved or devolved. Using images from the Library of Congress, the Texas General Land Office, Stanford University, and other libraries and archives, she will take participants on a journey to uncover the history of these old roads.  Information specific to Allen will be provided.  Participants will be offered directions from the 1920 Automobile Blue Book regarding the drive from Denison through Allen to Dallas using the old King of Trails Highway.

Known as the Red River Historian, Cole-Jett has researched, documented and shared the history of the Red River Valley for over 20 years through her books and presentations.

The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr.  Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.