Gainesville comes together through American flags blowing in strong winds from Oklahoma, gridded streets still tied together by red brick and historic manors settling under 200-year-old pecan trees. The city's ambiance and lineage are a source of pride for generational residents. "There are old-timers in Gainesville who tell wonderful stories about it," says Debra Johnson, broker and owner of The Stafford Team, who's sold homes for over 40 years. Gainesville began in the mid-1800s when three families established log cabins near Elm Creek. The rise of the Texas cowboy and cattle industry led to its initial growth spurt after the Civil War. Today, 18,000 live here, many working at WinStar World Casino & Resort, 11 miles north in Oklahoma. Some travel to Dallas regularly for work — even if it's 70 miles away. Gainesville's character is its allure, according to Johnson, who says: "It's kind of like a movie set." The city's historic downtown is its heartbeat, with centuries-old storefronts.
Just fifteen minutes north of Gainesville is Windstar World Casino in Oklahoma.
Gainesville may be small but offers lots of shopping, dining, and parks to residents.
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Gainesville is a patriotic little town
Gainesville was named the "Most Patriotic Small Town in America" in 2012 by map publisher Rand McNally and USA Today. The city also pays tribute to Congressional Medal of Honor recipients with an all-expense-paid trip to Gainesville each year. "[Downtown] has a little bit of everything and just what you'd expect to find. Not big-box stores but individually owned places." State Theater, Kinne's Jewelers and The Shady Lady Bed & Breakfast have operated downtown for over a century. The bed and breakfast, once a brothel and saloon now notorious for ghost sightings, is opposite the historic courthouse. More options, locally owned and chains, surround downtown along main roads and highways.
Grab a cold one and a slice of pizza at Amanté Patio in Downtown
The Gainesville Court House is at the heart of downtown.
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Amtrak trains to Oklahoma City
The city is pedestrian-friendly, with shops and parks within walking distance. Travelers can get to Dallas in less than an hour and a half following Interstate 35. "Some commute to their office in Dallas two or three times a week," Johnson says. "It's just really interesting how tastes have changed and how people are really looking for the kind of community Gainesville's offering." The Gainesville Santa Fe Depot, on the National Register of Historic Places, is downtown and serviced by Amtrak trains traveling from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City. The closest international airport is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, around 60 miles away. There are over a dozen houses of worship in Gainesville.
Vintage homes under old pecan trees in Gainesville
"It seems like the closer you get to the metroplex, the more everything looks the same," Johnson says. "[Here] you can still recognize your home in the dark." The city's variety is expressed through Victorians, bungalows and traditional styles built in the last decade. The area's vintage properties are scattered all over and trace back to the late 1800s. There aren't many new builds on the market, but plenty of lots are for sale. The median home price in Gainesville is around $300,000, less than the state median.
Gainesville offers vintage properties trace back to the late 1800s.
Although they are not common, Gainesville has a few newly built communities.
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Meet-and-greet with giraffes at Frank Buck Zoo
According to Trust for Public Land, more than half of Gainesville's residents can walk to a park in 10 minutes or less. Leonard Park is the city's centerpiece, with its large playground and a children's train track. The park also hosts the Frank Buck Zoo — home to giraffes, zebras, bears, and more. Heritage Park North has the city's dog park. The Home Grown Hero Walking Trail is a commemorative walking path with newly planted trees honoring local heroes and Medal of Honor recipients. Though a bit of a drive, WinStar World Casino & Resort offers more than just a gaming floor; it has a championship golf course and a resort-style pool.
The Home Grown Hero Walking Trail is a walking path honoring local heroes in Gainesville.
The Frank Buck Zoo is home to giraffes, zebras, bears, and more in Gainesville.
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Two Gainesville school districts, one with an A-minus rating
Gainesville is served by both the Gainesville Independent School District, which earns a B-minus from Niche, and the A-minus-rated Lindsay ISD. The main campus of North Central Texas College is in Gainesville, making it a convenient next step.
The main campus of North Central Texas College is in Gainesville.
Lindsay High School is in the small town of Lindsey right outside Gainesville.
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Tornadoes are a reality in Gainesville
Gainesville locals enjoy four seasons. The summers last less than four months and temperatures are the coolest for roughly three months out of the year. Being near the Oklahoma border means tornadoes are always possible. One hit southern Cooke County in 2024, killing seven people and damaging or destroying some homes. That same year, drivers were trapped on I-35 for hours after flooding complicated by ongoing construction. Cooke County also gets its share of hail.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Benham
Video By
Grace Kim
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Caryn Schniederjan,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Gainesville, TX sell after 97 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Gainesville, TX over the last 12 months is $719,900, up 100% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Motivated Seller! Welcome to your dream retreat overlooking the peaceful pond and trees all on 2 acres just outside city limits with NO CITY TAXES plus large workshop and or garage! This beautifully remodeled 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home blends thoughtful design and serene country living. Inside the open floor plan features a fully remodeled kitchen with quartz countertops, designer tile backsplash,
A Big Opportunity in Lindsay, TX!Step into Nortman Estates and discover a spacious 3-story home with room for everyone—and then some. At 3,491sf, this house offers 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, plus an office with custom built-ins, and a 720sf pool house ready for weekend fun.The home features a primary suite on both the first and second floors, designed to accommodate any phase of
This modern duplex boasts a sleek and stylish design has an open concept living area with lots of natural light, beautiful kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of cabinet storage. Downstairs it has the laundry room, a bedroom, a bathroom, and the kitchen, living room with space for a dining table. Upstairs it has two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a loft that can be
Introducing this stunning new construction home nestled on a serene dead-end street in the heart of Gainesville. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this neighborhood, free from through traffic. This beautiful 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 bathrooms home boasts an inviting open- concept living area perfect for relaxing and entertaining with energy efficient features and modern finishes. Enjoy tranquility in
The Liberty Lofts is a standout choice for many reasons.First, its a loft-style community with modern finishes and resident-oriented amenitiesdesigned with your needs in mind. Then, its all about our location withinblocks of I-35 and California Street talk about a commuter's dream. Whenyoure done exploring nearby attractions like Frank Buck Zoo and others in Gainesville,TX,
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