Forney was originally settled in the year 1846. After the end of the Civil War, many from the war-torn areas throughout the south flocked to the area to start new lives. Single men were granted 320 acres and married men were granted 640 acres. By 1869 there was an established downtown area with a saloon, blacksmith shop, school, and church. By the 1870s the town was recognized by the US Postal service. Late into the 1870s and 1880’s the town garnished a reputation straight out of an old Hollywood Western. When the cotton mill opened in the early 1910’s many investors started to take note of the rich grasslands of Forney nationwide. The Great Depression hit Forney hard and many younger people left to start over in the bigger city of Dallas. The town of Forney would never truly recover from its losses until well into the 1990s when the population had finally returned. 

Today the quiet town of Forney is home to about 15,000 people located inside the Dallas-Forth Worth metropolitan area. The quaint downtown streets are lined with local businesses from antique shops to small food establishments in older antique-style buildings which nod to the town’s rich history. Local artists have painted murals along the exterior walls of some of the buildings adding color and character to many of the old brick buildings. Neighborhoods are nestled in between tree-lined streets with family homes and the sound of people going about their daily lives. 

Forney features many local attractions including the Spellman Museum, located diagonally across the Main Street intersection across from City Hall. The museum showcases photographs and artifacts from the rich history of Forney. Another great place to visit is The Gentle Zoo, where the whole family can get up close to many animals. 

Whether you are visiting Forney for the day or staying for a while, the locals will welcome you with Southern hospitality and open arms.