Pilot Point is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Ray Roberts, which makes many recreational activities a favorite pastime for the town’s lucky residents. Fishing water-skiing, swimming, camping, picnicking, and boating are some of the sports actively pursued, and two state campgrounds are located minutes away.
The old town square is lined with buildings of historic interest, antique shops; a lovely gazebo adorns the center of the square. A relaxed stroll around the square will find you enjoying charming cafes and eateries, unique gift shops, and a variety of retail stores.
Pilot Point is nestled among the gently rolling hills of Denton County. In addition to the historic town square, the town sports two thriving shopping centers, a modern medical complex, an excellent library and schools, new subdivisions, and fine churches.
Ray Roberts Lake is a 30,000-acre reservoir. The Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex actually consists of two park units, Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch, six satellite parks each with its own character and beauty, Wildlife Management Areas, wetlands, waterfowl sanctuaries, and the 20-mile Ray Roberts Lake/Lake Lewisville Greenbelt Corridor. This environmentally rich area provides a multitude of outdoor activities; water sports, horseback riding, fishing, backpacking, hiking, picnicking, and bird watching are just a few. Isle du Bois State Park is 1400 acres large and attracts visitors to its scenic beauty as well as to its abundant recreational activities, while Jordan Branch Park is home to the luxurious Lantana Ridge Lodge.
Pilot Point was chosen by the Texas Historical Commission as a Texas Main Street City for the year 2002. Affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Texas Main Street Program is among the most successful downtown revitalization programs in the nation.
LOCATION
Point Pilot is located in Denton County on I-377. The cities nearest Point Pilot are Tioga (5.7 miles), Aubrey (6.4 miles), and Krugerville (8.2 miles). Plano (pop over 200,000) is 28 miles from Point Pilot, and Dallas lies 42.9 miles away.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Fort Worth Alliance, and Dallas Love Field are major airports conveniently located to Denton County, which provide flights to both local and international destinations.
The Grayson County Airport is located just south of Pottsboro or approximately 10 miles from Pilot Point.
BRIEF HISTORY
As early as 1845 settlers from Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri made their homes in the Pilot Point area. Some chose the black-land prairies to the east, some the sandy, wooded land to the west. The name Pilot Point has an interesting history. The highest point of land in the area was a small hill covered by oak trees. A magnificent cottonwood tree stood among the oaks and could be seen from a great distance. The height of this wooded area made it a landmark and guidepost for Indians, settlers, rangers, and travelers; hence, the name Pilot’s Point, later changed to “Pilot Point”.
Located on a land grant, this attractive settlement appealed to permanent settlers. The town plat was recorded in 1854 and land was apportioned off and sold to interested parties. Dr. R. W. Eddleman was one of the first men to build his home there. He became the town physician.
Beginning in mid century cattlemen began to graze their herds and eventually became owners of large cattle ranches. The town began to develop as well: a grist mill was built, general merchandise store, the first post office was established, a school opened, two churches were organized, and by the time of the Civil War, the community was well established. With the onset of the war men from Pilot Point left to join the Confederate forces, leaving the townspeople open to cattle and horse theft. Law enforcement was taken over for some time by a group of townspeople called the “Regulators” and enforcement continued to be problematic for some years.
After the war education became a focus of importance. In 1872 the Pilot Point Seminary was established, which later became Franklin College. Public Schools came into being in 1894. Communication with other areas was facilitated by the Butterfield Stage, which brought mail and passengers, and in 1877 the first telegraph line reached Pilot Point. The town’s first telegrapher was Ed Reaves, son-in-law of former Governor Throckmorton, and later the chief telegrapher at the White House. In 1880 the first railroad line reached Pilot Point, and by the 1880’s two railroads provided passengers and goods to the area. The largest cotton gin in the U.S. at that time was built in the area and the first bank opened in 1884.
After the turn of the century Point Pilot was an active marketing hub for farmers and ranchers; by the 1920’s the town boasted fifty business establishments, three banks, nine churches, a free public school system, and other community clubs and organizations.
Later years have seen the economy of area move toward the predominance of horse ranches and industrial developments, although cattle ranching and farming remain strong contributors to the area’s productivity.
ABOUT EDUCATION
There are four schools in the Pilot Point Independent School District providing instruction to approximately 1400 students. PP Elementary School serves children from Pre-School age through second grade; PP Middle School, covers grades 3, 4, and 5; Intermediate School serves 6, 7, and 8th graders, and PP’s Selz High School covers grades 9 through 12.
State Accountability rating is Academically Acceptable for all four schools for the year 2004.
The County of Denton has several excellent private school options such as, Denton Calvary Academy, Immaculate Conception School, Liberty Christian School, and the Selwyn School.
The University of North Texas and Texas Women’s University are located in the county seat of Denton. Texas Women’s University graduates more health care providers than any other university in the state.
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