The City of Allen’s Historic Water Station Park transformed the remaining ruins of the 1874 Stone Dam into a unique historical site trail.
Since being decommissioned in the 1940s, the site was neglected and forgotten by the community. Halff began work in 2014 to bring life back to the historical area through careful restoration of the dam.
It is connected by a low-impact pedestrian bridge and existing trail with interpretive signage that highlights the significance of the area. Every detail commemorates the railroad that once ran through the area.
This signage is strategically placed along the trail, including graphics, art, maps and diagrams based on collected historical artifacts dating back to the 1800s. Halff authored and edited historical text based on research collected from numerous local historical committees. Stylistic park benches and signs were inspired by railroad architecture and are incorporated along the trail to reinforce the site’s unique history.
Completed in 2017, this historic site brings visitors within optimal viewing distances of the facilities while minimizing impact on the land. Halff was presented with a “Historical Honor Award” from Preservation Texas, a subcommittee of the Texas Historical Commission.
