often described as a “boom town,” but one determined to grow with purpose rather than haste. At the center of that evolution is a coordinated effort between City Council, municipal staff, and economic development leadership to ensure that growth enhances, rather than erodes, the qualities that have defined Pilot Point since its founding in the mid-1800s. With a comprehensive master plan in place, robust infrastructure investments underway, and more than a dozen active development projects moving through the pipeline, Pilot Point is proving that small-city governance can be both visionary and disciplined. A HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BUILT TO GATHER PEOPLE For Mayor Chad Major, downtown Pilot Point is more than a commercial district—it is the civic heart of the community. Since the 1840s, the town square has served as a natural gathering place, hosting commerce, conversation, and culture. Preserving that legacy while restoring vibrancy has become one of the city’s highest priorities. Pilot Point’s downtown is designated as a registered historic district, and the city has taken deliberate steps to protect that identity. Rather than pursuing wholesale redevelopment, the city has focused on restoring historic façades, updating design guidelines, and encouraging adaptive reuse that respects architectural heritage. Buildings such as the former Farmers & Merchants Bank are being returned to their original historic appearance, while interior spaces are repositioned to support modern commercial uses. The city’s history is layered and distinctive. Pilot Point is the oldest incorporated city in Denton County and has ties to early pioneer settlement, ranching culture, and even popular culture, having served as a filming location for Bonnie and Clyde in the 1960s. Today, those stories are being reintroduced through signage, placards, and the local museum, ensuring that history remains visible as new businesses and visitors return to the square. What differentiates Pilot Point’s downtown strategy is its emphasis on use, not nostalgia alone.The goal is not simply preservation, but activation—bringing restaurants, retailers, and gathering spaces into restored buildings so that history remains lived-in and relevant. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT WORKING IN TANDEM Downtown revitalization in Pilot Point has been fueled by a blend of public investment and private confidence. Over the past several years, millions of dollars have flowed into the downtown area 49 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 PILOT POINT, TX
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