Everyone in Terrell knows about the Elvis guy. "We call him that. He wears all black and a cowboy hat, and he stands on the corner with a boombox singing Elvis's songs," says Ruth LeVasseur, who's worked at Books and Crannies for 30 years - a local used bookstore. "He's been doing it for as long as I've been here, and his simple heart brings joy to everyone." Ruth relocated from Florida for this community where "people are so friendly and will open the door for you."
Terrell's population has grown by over 30% since 2020 and around 16,000 people now live here 30 miles southeast of Dallas. Founded in the late 19th century as a railroad town, as Terrell expands, it honors its past within its museums and turn-of-the-century downtown. It also maintains its small-town aura and rural feeling that neighbors have come to know and love.
Moore Avenue is a busy, but charming, thoroughfare through historic downtown Terrell.
Terrell is a beautiful community east of Dallas, TX with a charming small town feel.
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Movies at the Iris Theatre
Downtown Terrell on Moore Avenue showcases charms of yesteryear through wide brick sidewalks, old-school lighting and historic buildings now occupied by modern shops, businesses and restaurants. The Iris Theatre, which houses Books and Crannies and was founded in 1925, has a vintage movie poster mural splashed over its brick exterior. "The first movie we showed here was a silent film," Ruth shares. "We have two free showings of black and white movies a month with popcorn made by the old popcorn maker. The Vagabond Players also put on three plays a year." Across the street, the Country Store sells cowboy apparel and Rio Lerma serves Mexican cuisine. "We have a lot of taquerias and stuff. My favorite is Xaviers. The people who work there remember you when you come in, and their salsa is homemade."
The Iris Theater is one of the historic theater facades still standing in Terrell, TX.
At Books and Crannies in Downtown Terrell, thousands of books fill the shelves.
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No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum
Once home to a training school for British pilots, more than 2,200 Royal Air Force and U.S. Army Air Corps Cadets earned their wings in Terell during World War II. The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum showcases this history in the municipal airport on Silent Wings Boulevard. It has a few small jets used by local businesses but is also the site of an annual community event. "In the fall, we have a dinner dance in one of the hangers. We get a band that will play swing stuff we can ballroom dance to. They have one small jet in the corner, and we are dancing all around and under it." Ruth also mentions that Terrell's heritage museum, located on North Frances Street, is being moved to a prime downtown spot.
The Terrell Aviation School mural depicts its first flight class in Terrell.
View the relics of World War 2 at the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum in Terrell.
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Terrell's rural feel
Brick ranch-style homes, cottages, contemporary styles, bungalows and Craftsmans all settle in Terrell. They are spread out, offering a rural feel. Homes mostly range from $200,000 to $300,000 range, even when they are new or have four-to-five bedrooms. New properties sometimes feature old-world elements — like dormer windows — to blend in with the city's historical features. One of the oldest and most architecturally distinct residences in Terrell was built in 1876 and has a mansard roof. Homes currently spend around 49 days on the market.
Larger lot homes in Terrell give a rural feel to the area.
One of the oldest and most architecturally distinct residences in Terrell was built in 1876.
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Ben Gill Park
Terrell's largest green space is the 100-acre Ben Gill Park on Ninth Street. People go there to feed the ducks by its lake and to play soccer in its public sports fields. There are playgrounds for the kids and an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Recreational opportunities in Terrell abound at these Ben Gill Park facilities.
Terrell locals feeding the ducks at Ben Gill Park is a common site to see.
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Five minutes of fame at Terrell High School
Terrell has its own school district, which earns a C-rating from Niche and serves around 5,000 students. Some pupils may attend Dr Bruce Wood Elementary School, Herman Furlough Jr. Middle School and Terrell High School. The elementary and middle schools also earn C ratings. The high school, which maintains a C plus, proudly showcases student achievements through written website spotlights. Poetry Community Christian School provides a private option.
Wood Elementary School serves Terrell students from K-5th grade.
Terrell High School serves approximately 1500 students in Terrell.
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To and fro in Terrell
Several state routes and Interstate 20 pass through Terrell. "If you live near downtown, you can walk places, including the grocery store. The town has spread out toward the freeway, and they put in some bigger restaurants out there. We thought we really made it when we got an Applebee's," Ruth says. Baylor Scott & White Family Medical Center is located on North Virginia Street and Terrell Urgent Care is on Lee Street. Locals can take route 80 to reach Dallas Love Field in 40 miles.
Major highways, Like I-20, make getting to Dallas a cinch.
Crossroads at Terrell is a major retail development with a variety of shops and restaurants.
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Written By
DJ Stewart
Photography Contributed By
Stacey Callaway
Video By
Mallory Nolte
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Clayton Bennett,
an experienced agent in this area.
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