Quinlan's amenities range from big-box retailers to schools
Quinlan is a rural East Texas destination about an hour from Dallas that offers surprising amenities for a community its size. It is one of the few small cities in the region that can boast of having both a Walmart Supercenter and a Brookshire’s grocery store. About 1,600 residents live in town, but homes with a Quinlan address can be found well outside the city limits. In addition, Quinlan has its own school district that serves students throughout southern Hunt County.
Waterfront homes highlight a variety of housing options
Housing options outside the city limits are highlighted by attractive properties on and around Lake Tawakoni. “That’s the biggest draw, as far as people moving from the Dallas area,” says Jody Crocker of 1st Choice Realty, who lives nearby and sells homes throughout the region. “Quinlan and other communities like West Tawakoni and East Tawakoni all kind of merge together, so people are attracted by a small-town atmosphere near the water.” Closer to the heart of town, midcentury ranch-style homes on spacious lots and contemporary homes with driveways and attached garages stand out among the community’s housing options. Recently built contemporary models can also be found, but much of the housing is older. Some of the older homes feature modern renovations. Manufactured homes are another alternative. “In [the city of] Quinlan specifically, it’s been slow growth as far as new builds, but the market is up-and-coming,” Crocker says. Most homes occupy quiet, narrow streets with plenty of mature trees. Small, older homes can be found for less, but prices typically start around $120,000 and range into the high $500,000s.
The rare East Texas city with a Walmart and a Brookshire's
Walmart and Brookshire’s anchor the Texas State Highway 34 corridor, around which the city’s development is centered. The big-box retailers provide a solid base for the economy in Quinlan, which has become a retail hub for the area. The center of commercial activity shifted from downtown long ago, as State Highway 276 allowed access to surrounding cities without going through town. “When they put the bypass in, it eliminated a lot of the traffic in the downtown area,” Crocker says. “However, they are trying to rebuild it, and I hope the little businesses that have opened can sustain.” Residents still access city services along Main Street. Dining options can also be found along Texas 34. “Hey, there’s a Starbucks coming to Quinlan!” Crocker says. “That kind of tells you about the growth.” The coffee shop will be next to McDonald’s along the highway, which leads to additional shopping and dining in Greenville, about 15 miles north.
Quinlan ISD features four schools for Pre-K through 12
The community is served by the Quinlan Independent School District. Its four schools are:
Cannon Elementary, for Pre-K through second grade
- Butler Intermediate, for third through fifth grades
- Thompson Middle, for sixth through eighth grades
- Ford High School, for ninth through 12th grades
The district’s website highlights its commitment to the visual and performing arts. Classes and programs begin at the elementary level. Students can apply for transfers into and out of Quinlan ISD, with the requirement that parents provide transportation.
Outdoor fun on the lake, at community park
Residents enjoy proximity to Lake Tawakoni, a 38,000-acre reservoir that is a haven for boaters, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts of all kinds. West Tawakoni City Park and Deer Run Golf Club are lakefront destinations about 7 miles away. Quinlan Community Park is the center of community activity. It features children’s playscapes, a seasonal splash pad, lighted basketball courts and a 9-hole disc golf course. The park is the result of collaboration between the city, Quinlan ISD and the Quinlan Economic Development Corporation, which was formed in 1996. The city’s signature event is Quinfest, an annual fall gathering that features live music and a Halloween costume contest.
Highway access to Greenville, Rockwall and Dallas
Hunt Regional Healthcare recently closed Quinlan’s stand-alone emergency care center, but Texas 34 provides direct access to Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville. Residents of this car-dependent community can hop on Texas State Highway 276 for travel into the DFW Metroplex. The highway connects to Interstate 30 about 20 miles west in the Dallas suburb of Rockwall. From there, it’s about 25 more miles.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
