Over a hundred years ago in Corsicana, Texas, drillers seeking water struck oil instead — the first oil strike west of the Mississippi. As the seat of Navarro County and home to nearly half its population, the city of 25,000 remains an industrial hub for east central Texas. “Our location is ideal for industry and for people to live,” says John Boswell, economic development director for the city of Corsicana and Navarro County. “It's close enough to the amenities of the major urban areas yet far enough away to have access to the lakes and the farms.” Though 50 miles from the the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Corsicana offers more of a laid-back Texas lifestyle, including a handful of historic neighborhoods.
Corsicana is an industrail hub for Central Texas.
Despite its growing downtown, Corsicana remains a rural city with ranches on its outskirts.
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The original Collin Street Bakery
As oil production slowed, Corsicana’s job market shifted toward food manufacturing. Collin Street Bakery has been churning out its signature desserts since 1896 and it remains one of the city’s largest employers. Russell Stover Chocolates is another major industry player, though job opportunities at both companies can fluctuate seasonally. Corsicana Mattress and glass manufacturer Guardian Industries contribute hundreds of jobs to the market. Navarro Regional Hospital employs over 200 workers and maintains a strong community presence.
Interstate 45 swings around the city’s eastern side, leading about 50 miles northwest to Dallas. From there, travelers can catch a plane from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, one of the largest hubs in the country. No fixed-route public transit system is in place, but Community Transit Service provides residents with on-demand transportation.
Collin Street Bakery, known for its variety of fruitcakes, is a big part of Corsicana's legacy.
If you love sweets, Corsicana is home to the headquarters of the major chocolate brand Russell Stover.
Guardian is one of Corsicana's manufacturing plants as a hub for the glass industry.
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Median home prices lower than in Dallas
The median home price in Corsicana is $261,000, considerably lower than in Dallas, where the median price is $404,000. Starter homes can sell for $150,000 to $200,000, while larger or newly constructed builds might be priced at $250,000 to $350,000. On the rural outskirts of town, custom waterfront homes on Richland-Chambers Reservoir sell for $750,000 to $1.5 million. Corsicana also has two neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places. In the Carriage District, homes from the late 19th century include side entrances with shelters built for horse carriages. Mills Place showcases two-story residences from the 1920s and ’30s, with examples of Colonial, Tudor and Italian Renaissance architecture.
Custom homes along Richland-Chambers Resevoir makes a nice rural home setting for Corsicana locals.
Historic homes line the streets in Corsicana's Carriage District.
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Corsicana ISD and a Netflix documentary
Corsicana Independent School District earns a B-plus from Niche and recently introduced a new superintendent, six new principals and the district motto “Dare to Be Different.” The main campus of Navarro College, a two-year community college, enrolls about 6,000 full- and part-time students. The college is the setting for the Netflix series CHEER, which follows the Grand National Champion Bulldogs Cheer Team.
The Corsicana Independent School District.
Navarro College in Corsicana is home to the Bulldogs.
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Downtown with brick streets and bronze statues
Brick-paved streets in the downtown district lead to historic buildings repurposed as boutiques, breweries and coffeehouses. Bronze statues memorialize key points in the city’s history. The second floors of many buildings have been renovated into loft-style apartments, which are popular with younger residents who want to be within walking distance of the action. “Downtown has gone through cycles — we’re talking grass in the cracks of the sidewalks. We’re now experiencing that regeneration that people want to see,” Boswell says.
The Cook Education Center at Navarro College is the cultural heart of the city. The Pearce Museum displays Western art and Civil War memorabilia, and the planetarium is one of the largest in Texas. Local performers take the stage at the Warehouse Living Arts Center downtown. Visitors to Pioneer Village can explore reconstructed buildings from the city’s early days. The Lefty Frizzell Museum, an ode to the influential country singer, is another highlight of the art scene.
Downtown Corsicana with its vintage charm, is an alluring part of the city.
Corsicana locals stop at Brickstreet Brewery for a pint.
Locals can join the Pearce Museum at Navarro College and gaze through the unqiue art it holds.
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Fishing and boating on Lake Halbert
The fishing pier, boating ramp and campsites at Lake Halbert are minutes away from downtown. The city is also about 30 miles from Richland-Chambers Reservoir, another popular angling spot.
Locals in Corsicana head to Lake Halbert to cast a line in the water.
Corsicana locals love to get on the water at Lake Halbert for the afternoon.
Richland Chamber Reservoir seems to go on forever, making it a picturesque place to be.
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Crime rates and weather warnings
Texas has higher-than-average levels of crime compared to other states. However, Corsicana’s crime rates are low in comparison to larger cities like Dallas and Houston. The city experiences the hot, oppressive summers characteristic of east central Texas.
A congregation of churches
Corsicana’s Bible Belt location contributes to a heavy Christian population. Many religious organizations, such as the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the First Independent Baptist Church and the Fifth Avenue Church of Christ, have roots stretching back to the 1800s.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Corsicana was established in 1871.
Still standing in Corsicana is the First Independent Baptist Church, erected in 1918.
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Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Photography Contributed By
Stacey Callaway
Video By
Anthony Pesa
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mitzi Eves,
an experienced agent in this area.
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