A City Built on Deep Roots
The Colony may feel like a modern North Texas suburb, but the land it sits on carries stories that stretch back well before Texas statehood. From armed settler uprisings in the 1850s to a one-of-a-kind roadside art museum, the city rewards residents who take the time to look past the familiar storefronts and explore what makes this particular corner of Denton County unlike anywhere else.
The Peters Colony Origins and the Hedgcoxe War
The city’s very name traces directly to the Peters Colony, a land grant enterprise that drew thousands of settlers to North Texas in the mid-1800s. The modern boundaries of The Colony actually contain the former headquarters of the Texas Emigration and Land Company, the organization that administered those land grants.
That history took a dramatic turn in 1852 when armed settlers raided and burned the company’s office in what became known as the Hedgcoxe War. A Texas Historical Commission marker commemorating this event stands at Perryman Park on South Colony Boulevard and was erected in 1975. It is free to visit and serves as a grounding reminder that the ground beneath this city has a genuinely turbulent past. More information on city landmarks is available at thecolonytx.gov.
Bridges Cemetery and Historical Park
For those who want to stand somewhere that predates the city by more than a century, Bridges Cemetery at 6421 Morning Star Drive is the place to go. Established in 1855, the cemetery holds the remains of both Confederate and Union soldiers, an unusual combination for this part of Texas and one that speaks to the complexity of the region’s Civil War-era population. The Colony Public Library’s Local History Committee organizes seasonal public tours for those who want guided context.
Just down South Colony Boulevard, Historical Park at 5000 S. Colony Blvd. marks the area where The Colony’s modern community first began to take shape. A historical marker on site describes how early settlers selected this land and what their lives looked like before the city became what it is today. Both sites are easy to visit on the same afternoon and offer a surprisingly complete picture of the city’s origins.
The Colony Public Library Local History Collection
Anyone researching family history, early Denton County settlement, or the Peters Colony land grants should make time for the Local History Collection at The Colony Public Library, located at 6800 Main St. The collection includes historical documents, photographs, and what is considered the largest gathering of historical Denton County and Peters Colony maps in the area. Genealogists and casual history readers alike will find it genuinely useful, and the staff can help orient first-time visitors to the materials available.
Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum
It would be a disservice to any guide about The Colony’s landmarks to treat this one as a footnote. Barney Smith was a retired master plumber who spent decades decorating toilet seats with found objects, hand lettering, and drawings, eventually accumulating more than 1,400 of them. Each seat documents a moment in time, a trip taken, a news event, or a personal memory.
The museum now lives on the second floor of Truck Yard and is free to enter. This specific location is the only place in the world where the collection exists, which makes it a legitimately singular Texas roadside attraction rather than just a quirky diversion. More on arts and culture in The Colony can be found at visitthecolonytx.com.
Grandscape and the Observation Wheel
Grandscape began taking shape in 2015 when Nebraska Furniture Mart opened at 5752 Grandscape Blvd., and the broader development held its grand opening in April 2021. The centerpiece that most people notice first is a 200-foot observation wheel with air-conditioned gondolas that hold up to eight passengers and offer 360-degree views across North Texas. It has become one of the more recognizable visual landmarks in the city and a natural gathering point for residents and visitors alike. The full scope of what is available at the development is outlined at grandscape.com.
Lewisville Lake: The Shoreline Trails and Hidden Cove
Lewisville Lake sits just north of Dallas along 23 miles of shoreline, and The Colony has meaningful access to it through two distinct experiences. The Colony Shoreline Trail and the Tribute Shoreline Trail both run along the lake on crushed granite paths with interpretive signs covering local flora, fauna, and history. The Colony Shoreline Trail has trailheads at Ridgepointe Park and Stewart Creek Park, while the Tribute Shoreline Trail begins near Old American Golf Club. Parking and trail access are free at both.
For a more active day on the water, Hidden Cove Park and Marina covers 470 acres and accommodates fishing, camping, boating, skiing, and hiking. It is one of the city’s two primary lake access points and draws residents throughout the year. Trail and park information is available through the city at thecolonytx.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hedgcoxe War and why does it matter to The Colony?
The Hedgcoxe War of 1852 was an uprising in which armed settlers raided and burned the office of the Texas Emigration and Land Company, which administered the Peters Colony land grants. The event took place within what is now The Colony, and a Texas Historical Commission marker at Perryman Park commemorates it.
How old is Bridges Cemetery, and can the public visit it?
Bridges Cemetery dates to 1855, making it one of the oldest sites in the city. It is open to the public, and The Colony Public Library’s Local History Committee organizes seasonal guided tours for those who want historical context during their visit.
Where can I learn more about the Peters Colony and early Denton County history?
The Local History Collection at The Colony Public Library on 6800 Main St. holds historical documents, photographs, and the largest collection of Peters Colony and Denton County maps in the area. It is open to researchers, genealogists, and anyone curious about the region’s past.
Is Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum really in The Colony, and is it free?
Yes. The museum, which contains more than 1,400 decorated toilet seats created by retired master plumber Barney Smith, is located on the second floor of Truck Yard in The Colony. Admission is free, and this is the only location in the world where the full collection is on display.
