A small rural town with a scenic backdrop
Krum originated from a 200-acre plot of land sold as a town site to a railroad company in 1886. The company built the town's first house a year later, and slowly but surely, the community welcomed a post office, a drug store and a schoolhouse. By 1898, the community had its own hotel and Krum was in business. Today, Krum's rural charm, rustic town center and openness pique interest. "Krum is the best of all worlds," says Michelle Hilgendorf, a Realtor with The Hilgendorf Group of Fathom Realty. Hilgendorf has sold homes across the region for just over six years. "You're only a 15-minute drive from all the shopping and things available in Denton, but it's quieter in Krum." And according to Hilgendorf, Krum is known for more than just its quiet, small-town appeal. Its rural landscape has become a popular wedding destination over the years, with several popular event venues in the area, including 50 West, Buffalo Valley and Barnett Estate. "My daughter's wedding was at Buffalo Valley," Hilgendorf says. "It was fantastic. And I've been to several events at Barnett Estate, too. It's stunning. A really beautiful setting."
Dinner at Porto Finos or Cowboys
Saturday nights in Krum mean dinner on McCart Street. "People come to Krum for Porto Finos and Cowboys," Hilgendorf says. "They're both always packed." Porto Finos features cherished Italian fare, from hand-tossed pizzas and calzones to baked pasta and chicken parmigiana. And Cowboys has American classics like burgers and fried chicken. A few specialty items include the Cowboys smashed burger and the Texas patty melt. McCart Street also features a few small businesses, like JoyGrace & Co. and Krum Clips Hair Salon. Saturday mornings include trips to 156 Produce Market on Highway 156, where locals stock up on farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, from tomatoes and summer squash to Muscadine grapes and peaches.
A diverse mix of bungalows, New traditionals and custom homes
Housing in Krum was built between the 1970s and the early 2000s. Much of the community's older homes are downtown, including quaint cottages, bungalows and ranch-style homes. These homes often feature between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet and cost under $300,000. Sprawling from the town's center are a few 21st-century subdivisions with New Traditional housing priced between $250,000 and $350,000. Homes in these subdivisions sit on quarter-acre lots with manicured front lawns that meet sidewalk-lined streets. Many buyers move to Krum for the land. In the town's far reaches are massive lots with custom homes, and a 55-acre property can cost $1.5 million. "I list a lot of area properties with land," Hilgendorf says. "Depending on how much and where it is, I've seen land selling for anywhere from $40,0000 to $100,000 an acre."
Krum High School's football team is cherished across town
The Krum Independent School District has an overall B on Niche and serves the town's nearly 2,300 students. Dyer Elementary School scores an overall B on Niche, while Krum Middle School has a B-plus and Krum High School has a B. The high school features robust athletic programs and has developed a new football team within the past 15 years. "Krum High School was always a powerhouse when it came to basketball, but it didn't have a football team until about 13 or 14 years ago. And you have to have a football team in Texas," Hilgendorf says. "Now, the community is very involved with the team. They even travel with the team to the games."
Freedom Acres Ranch is home to all sorts of animals
Locals get together at Westside Park, which features a playground for the kids and several baseball fields for local athletes. The park also has a shaded pavilion. Another neighborhood green space, Saddlebrook Park, offers a playground and picnic pavilion. Locals spend time with animals at Freedom Acres Ranch, a nearby equestrian center that provides riding lessons and summer camps. The ranch has various other animals, including donkeys, goats, pigs and miniature cows.
Heading into Denton
Residents primarily drive when they need to get around. Fort Worth is about a 40-mile drive down Interstate 35 West, but locals mainly head to Denton when they need to reach a city. Denton is about 9 miles east. Healthcare is provided in Denton at Medical City, about 12 miles away. When locals need to catch a flight, they head to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, about 35 miles away.
