History

Brief History of Lindale, Texas

Established in 1871 along the Tyler to Mineola railroad, Lindale was named for Elija Lindsey, the first merchant in the area. Several local stories abound about how Lindale got its name, but the most common one claims that Lindsey's name was combined with the suffix "dale" to form "Lindseydale." The name was shortened to Lindale in 1874 when the first post office opened in town.

Lindsey was the brother-in-law of Governor Richard B. Hubbard; a former officer in the Confederate Army and owner of a large plantation on which is now built "Hideaway Lake" (a private gated community). After the Civil War, Gov. Hubbard began searching for a more convenient way to ship produce grown on his land. Eventually he convinced railroad officials to lay track between nearby Tyler and Mineola.

Lindale is located due west of Steen Saline (salt wells or mines) where 3,000 men were employed during the Civil War to supply salt to the Confederate Army. The city also is located just south of the Vial – Fragoso Trail (historic marker north on CR 431 at CR 452, 6 miles north of Lindale), a trade route blazed in 1788 from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Nachitoches, Louisiana.  Later the trail became a cattle drive trail, then a stage coach route, and finally the main Dallas-to-Shreveport road prior to the construction of US 80. By 1888, the fruit-growing and canning industries flourished in the area, and by 1900 Lindale was known as the “fruit and berry center” of Texas.

Today, Lindale is the home of many rose fields. A large percentage of the famous Tyler roses are grown and processed for shipment here. The area also has several wholesale tree farms.

The local motto of “Good County Living” is celebrated the second Saturday in October with the Lindale Chamber of Commerce’s CountryFest. A few weeks later, the community celebrates the Christmas season with a parade and tour of homes the first Saturday in December. Many businesses also sponsor open houses. 

Lindale is the hometown of renowned country singer Miranda Lambert. Ms. Lambert's family lives here, and she visits the area occasionally. The Lambert family operates the Miranda Lambert Store and HQ in downtown Lindale, where visitors can purchase Miranda Lambert souvenirs. 

Increasingly Lindale is becoming a retail center and a node of commerce along Interstate 20, and attractinng a good selection of hotels, restaurants and retail outlets. The city is growing in strategic value for distribution activities as well. For example, in 1998 Lindale became home to the 1.6-million-sq.-ft. Target Distribution Center on Interstate 20, known (at that time) as the largest “tilt-wall construction” building in the U.S.

Recent Economic Development History of Lindale, Texas

2011

• LEDC completes infrastructure improvements in Lindale Industrial Park. Park improvements include a 40-foot wide concrete road (named Lindale Industrial Parkway), water, wastewater, storm drain, street lights and signage. The park features available lots ranging in size from 2 to 43 acres in size. With a convenient and highly accessible location adjacent to I-20 and within 200-miles of 16-million population, the park is a natural for logistics and distribution.
• Collin Street Bakery and Restaurant completes construction on its new Lindale location. The Collin Street Bakery and Restaurant is located at the intersection of Interstate 20 and FM 849, near the entrance of the Hideaway Lake residential community.
• Lindale and Tyler realign ETJ boundaries between the two cities.
• The City of Lindale purchases the former Allen Canning property immediately north-east of downtown.
• The biomass power plant allows its option to expire on the 43-acre site in Lindale Industrial Park.

2009

• Lindale EDC and the City of Lindale are awarded an $850,000 infrastructure grant (with an $850,000 local match), from the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) for infrastructure improvements in the Lindale Industrial Park.
• Lindale EDC reaches an agreement with Smith County to upgrade Harvey Road south of the Target Distribution Center for the County providing the labor to rebuild, and widen the road, with LEDC paying for the materials.

2008

• LEDC begins site search and negotiations with Decker Energy (Winterpark, FL) for a site for a biomass power plant near I-20. The company options a 43-acre site in Lindale Industrial Park in May 2008.

2007

• LEDC supports King Manufacturing with a business retention agreement. (The business closed in 2008.)
• LEDC purchases 125 acres just off the southwest corner of I-20 and Harvey Road for development as an industrial park.
• LEDC purchases 135 acres at the northwest corner of I-20 and Harvey Road for development as a business park.
• LEDC hires its first full-time executive staff person. 
• LEDC appoints an advisory board and hires Adams Consulting Engineers (Tyler) to begin developing a master plan for the two parcels.

2004

• Lowe's announces a new store is slated to be built in Lindale.
• Trinity Mother Frances begins construction on a new medical facility.
• LEDC funds application for grant for streets to serve Lowe's and Trinity Mother Frances.
• Wal-Mart site plan is approved by Lindale City Council at the adjacent site to Lowe's.

2003

• LEDC approves infrastructure grant to Lowe's to move water and gas transmission lines at site of new store.

2001

• LEDC approves grant to Cates Cast Stone for sewer project supporting the relocation of its facility to Lindale.

2000

• Lindale and Tyler are jointly awarded Texas Economic Development Commission's top award for economic development cooperation on the Target project.
• LEDC approves grant to Thermo Manufacturing for street improvement supporting the relocation of its facility to Lindale.

1999

• Target Distribution Center workforce totals more than 1,000 employees.

1998

• Cracker Barrel announces restaurant to be built in Lindale; LEDC has been working on project.
• Target Distribution Center opens.
• Cracker Barrel opens.

1995

• First grant given to King Manufacturing to relocate its plant to Lindale.
• LEDC receives a grant from Southwestern Bell to put a sign on I-20 (for two years) advertising places to stop at the Lindale intersection.
• First indication is given that a “distribution center” is interested in a Smith County location (including Lindale).
• LEDC commits up to $1 million over seven years to Dayton Hudson Corporation if Target Distribution Center is located within Lindale city limits. Lindale becomes Target’s Number One choice in Smith Co.
• Target announces Lindale as its choice for the center. LEDC’s potential commitment is reduced by TIF to $350,000; primarily to be used for overpass at Harvey Road and I-20.
• Construction of two new motels completed at I-20 and Hwy 69 intersection.

1994

• Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce promotes half-cent sales tax passage, which later passes.
• City forms Lindale Economic Development Corporation (LEDC).
• Tom Mullins (with Tyler EDC) helps LEDC host breakfast for Tyler builders and developers to promote Lindale. As a direct result, Conaway Homes started building spec houses in The Woodlands later that year. In turn, the success of The Woodlands encourages Choice Homes and other developers/builders to start housing developments in the Lindale area. (The new streets of the Woodlands are curbed and guttered with sewer service at the suggestion of LEDC.)
• City begins annexation process for area along Hway 69 from Prairie Creek Church to I-20.
• Lindale and Tyler realign ETJ at I-20 and Hwy 69, and Lindale annexes south of I-20. This brings sewer service to that area west of Hwy 69. Activity supported and encouraged by LEDC.
• Construction begins of two new motels located constructed at I-20 and Hwy 69 intersection (finished 1995).
• The Lindale Economic Development Corporation (half-cent sales tax board) begins to function.

1993

• Lindale Economic Development Committee is formally organized.
• Lindale Econonic Development Committee recommends to Chamber Board, then City Council, the establishment of a half-cent sales tax for economic development.
• City Council calls half-cent tax election for January 15, 1994.

1992

• School bond passes for new high school.
• Pat Rogers proposes idea to establish a Lindale Economic Development Committee to coordinate the efforts of area boards and councils.

1989

• Permanent site established for local rodeo grounds on west Hubbard Street.

1988

• Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the first rodeo in Lindale.

1985

• Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce is founded to promote the local business climate and “Good Country Living” theme of Lindale.
• First "CountryFest" is held; sponsored by Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce.