City of alvarado From agricultural to industrial and retail mix
Dating back to 1854 , Alvarado is Johnson County ’ s earliest city . A small city , Alvarado has a total area of 4.8 square miles . The water area , which comprises of 15.35 % of the city ’ s total area , includes Alvarado Park Lake , a reservoir on Turkey Creek .
What began as a rural community with primarily agricultural roots , has expanded to the present-day mix of mom and pop shops to industrial base .
One of the largest employers is Sabre Tubular Structures , which has over 200 employees .
In 2008 and 2009 there was an upturn in retail development with the opening of three national chain hotels and two fast food dining establishments .
Add in Alvarado ’ s first-rate school system , not to mention its proximity of numerous nearby colleges and universities , and it ’ s easy to see why the community is such a great place to live and raise a family .
As of the 2020 United States census , Alvarado ’ s population included 1,388 households with 4,739 residents . So Alvarado remains rooted in small-town Texas atmosphere but offers the best of both worlds being but a short distance removed from the attributes of the Metroplex ’ s larger cities . With growth already heading Johnson County ’ s way , thanks in large part to the opening of the Chisholm Trail Parkway , Alvarado , too , sits poised for a new wave of population and economic development . Although Alvarado remains a small town square footage , the city hardly lacks for activities , events and sites , which offer something for everyone from families to history buffs to lovers of the outdoors .
One of the largest events of its kind in Texas , the Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion in Alvarado traces its beginnings to 1892 , when John James , a local farmer and newspaper correspondent , proposed the idea to “ reunite the citizenship which was divided ” to some of his neighbors . “ At that date and for several years prior , our citizenship was divided , strifes and in some instances bitter feelings had [ developed ] by political agitation ,” James said in a Venus Times article . “ Friends of long standing had taken opposite sides in political matters , and many of them for the time had become political and social enemies .” Through the years , the reunion has grown to attract more than 10,000 participants to such events as carnivals , parades , queen and baby contests , fiddle contests and music concerts .
Music festivals bring a mix of country , rock , pop and R & B music to town . Equestrian events draw residents and tourists throughout the year as does the annual Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion , the Fourth of July car show and downtown ’ s Christmas Parade of Lights . A museum covering Alvarado and area history compliments Alvarado ’ s historic downtown square , cemeteries , churches and homes .
8 Alvarado Community Guide and Business Directory