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Plano , Texas
Plano, Texas is a suburb of Dallas and one
of the richest cities in the nation. Ericcson, Frito-Lay, Dr. Pepper, UGS,
Perot Systems, Crossmark, Rent-a-Center and EDS are all headquartered here;
and it was named the best place to live in 2006, by Money Magazine.
Sometime in the 1840s, a sawmill, store and gristmill grew up on the flat
terrain of this Texas town and soon settlers were making it their home and a
name was needed. The Spanish word for flat is Plano, and it was soon
decided to call the new town that. By 1872, and the finishing work of the
Houston and Texas railroad was running through the town, more citizens began
to come here. Numerous other suburbs of Dallas grew faster, but the city
experienced a slow, but steady growth. The population was about 18,000 in
1970, and just ten years later had grown to 72,000, as the infrastructure
filled out, and the flat land didn't hinder any progressive measures. By
1990, the city had over 125,000 residents, as more large companies came to
the area. In 1994, it became an All American City and by 2000, it was one
of the biggest suburbs of Dallas, with 220,000 people. It is completely
surrounded by other burbs and has used almost all of its available land.
Transportation needs are met with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit with its
buses and light rail; while the city was intelligent enough to build its
roadways wide and divided, making it easy to get around and at a good clip.
Besides the companies listed above, another 16 good sized companies make
Plano their home or headquarters, and over 80% of the visitors coming here
are for business reasons. The city has its own large convention center and
sponsors a hot air balloon festival each year. Plano has made every effort
to bring retail shops to the downtown area to raise its tax base and the
Shops at Legacy is part of that intention. This retail area includes;
restaurants, shops, boutiques and apartments, with a new experimental luxury
Wal-Mart Supercenter located there.
The
educational system in the city is extensive, with 70 public schools, 16
private and 2 community colleges; with 6 libraries to assist. There have
been problems with youngsters in the city, such as high suicide deaths in
the 1980s, heroin use in the 1990s, and in July of 2003, a student at the
Plano West Senior High School committed suicide because of the steroids he
used to enhance his athletic abilities. His father testified before a
Congressional subcommittee in 2005, with Jose Canseco and Mark McGuire.
Visiting Plano can
be much easier with a rental car, that saves you money, time and adds a
greater flexibility to your busy schedule. Many people pick up their
vehicles at or near the Plano Airport since they have a larger choice. Most
rental agencies will pick you up at or near the Plano Airport and help you
choose the best vehicle for your traveling needs. Whether it be a compact,
mid-size, full-size, luxury car, SUV or minivan, we can help you choose the
right vehicle for you. We will help you rent your vehicle the next time you
come to Plano.
Dollar Rental Car Specials
Dollar Rental Car - Dallas/Fort Worth International
Airport
Dollar Rental Car - Dallas/Love Field
The Heritage Farmstead was built in
1891, by Hunter Farrell, on rich black prairie soil for his wife, Mary Alice
and his daughter Ammie. The house was ostentatious by local standards, but
it was also practical for its use. With fancy jigsaw trim work, not unusual
for the period, wrap-around porches, and opposing doorways to the north and
south, which afforded great ventilation, it was a wonderful home. The three
barns, many outbuildings and 365 acres, the farm was a grand affair in those
days. Miss Ammie grew to become a champion sheep breeder, and after her
death in 1972, the museum was created to preserve the natural state of the
farm and to show future generations the lifestyle of the late 1800s. The
complex has dwindled to 4.5 acres, but the building itself is in pristine
condition and a great example for teaching and demonstrating the period to
over 30,000 visitors each year.
Thrifty Rental
Car Specials
Thrifty Rental Car - Dallas/Fort Worth
International Airport
Thrifty
Car Rental - Plano
Thrifty Rental Car - Dallas/Love Field
During the period from 1908 to 1948, the swaying clacking
ride of an electric railway interurban car helped the residents of Denison
to Dallas to Waco get around without owning an auto. It was different and
comfortable, unique and special; and now the museum sits in the downtown
area as a testament to those grand old days when transportation didn't
affect the ozone layers, and the people had a chance to view the countryside
in style on their way to work, shop or visit one another. The museum was a
stop on that route at one time, and when it stopped running in 1948, it was
a disappoint to many. Steam engines couldn't handle the stop and go of the
route, and the horse drawn wagons and then trolley cars, became difficult
and slow. Then in the 1880s some great inventors came up with the idea of
electric trolley cars, that were able to bring small farms and communities
closer to the big cities and all the amenities that they entailed. It was a
marvelous way to travel, cheap, not pollutant and enjoyable. Perhaps, we
should think again about these fantastic machines that brought the suburban
areas closer to the main larger cities.
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