Just a few blocks from the downtown Denton square, the Denton County Historical Park is home to the Bayless-Selby House Museum, the Taylor Log Cabin, the Denton County African American Museum, and the Woods House. Each of these museums provide a look into early periods of Denton County’s history. The grounds around the Historical Park also feature beautiful plants and flowers maintained by the Denton County Master Gardeners Association.
The Bayless-Selby House is an example of Queen Anne Victorian style architecture built by Samuel and Mary Bayless in 1898. They lived in the home until Samuel Bayless’ death in 1919, and a year later Mary Bayless sold the home to the R.L. Selby family. Inside the furnished home, you will find historical artifacts like a parlor grand piano, hand painted china, and antique furniture.
On display upstairs is an example of a child’s bedroom, and doctor’s office with a collection of vintage medical equipment.
The Denton County African American Museum is located inside of a 1904 home that originally resided in Denton’s historic African American neighborhood known as Quakertown. Exhibits inside the home feature maps and photographs that share the stories of the many African American families who lived throughout the County in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The exhibit features a collection of artifacts from Denton County’s first African American physician, Dr. Edwin D. Moten.
A second Quakertown House that belonged to the W.E. Woods family is being restored at the Historical Park.
Brought to the Historical Park in 2015 from Corinth, Texas, the Taylor Log Cabin is restored to represent the style of a 1860s log house. The Taylor family donated the house complete with its contents to Denton County.
On Saturday, June 8 from 9 AM to 1 PM, the Historical Park’s greenspace will transform with tractor displays, vendor booths, and hands-on activities for Denton County Farm Heritage Day in conjunction with the Denton Community Market and the Denton Farmers Market.
The Denton County Historical Park is located at 317 West Mulberry Street, at the corner of Carroll Boulevard and Mulberry Street.
Denton County Historical Park Hours:
- Summer Hours: April – October, Tuesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM
- Winter Hours: November – March, Wednesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM
Throughout the month of May, in honor of Historic Preservation Month, catch local events with Denton Revealed 2024. Denton Revealed showcases and celebrates the history of Denton County with a series of tours, lectures, and workshops. Some highlights this year include the Imagine the Possibilities Tour of downtown Denton, and a Mid-Century Modern Masters Architecture tour, where attendees can experience two neighboring architectural masterpieces designed by Denton natives, O’Neil Ford and Mount-Miller Architects. To view the full schedule of events, visit CityofDenton.com/1012/Denton-Revealed-Preservation-Month.
