Want to Know More about Rowlett, Texas?

The Backstory

So, Rowlett’s history starts way back in the 1840s when American settlers started moving into the area. The city is actually named after a creek—Rowlett Creek—which itself was named for a guy named Daniel Rowlett. He was a pioneer who got a land grant for his military service, even though he never actually lived near the creek that bears his name.

For a long time, Rowlett was just a quiet farm town, mostly known for its cotton. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1880s was a big deal, as it connected the community to the wider world and helped it thrive. You can still see a couple of old cotton gins around town, which is a neat reminder of that agricultural past. In 1952, the town officially became a city by a vote of just 84 people!

The Big Change: The Lake

The real game-changer for Rowlett was the creation of Lake Ray Hubbard. It was completed in 1971, and all of a sudden, this sleepy farm town had over 30 miles of beautiful shoreline. This is what transformed Rowlett from a small, rural community into a fast-growing, lakeside suburb. People started moving here for the lake life, and the population exploded.

Rowlett Today

Today, Rowlett is a vibrant city with a population of over 68,000 people. It’s known for being a family-friendly place with a great quality of life.

Life on the Lake: The biggest thing about Rowlett is definitely the lake. It’s a huge part of the city’s identity. People love to go boating, fishing, and just hang out by the water. There are a lot of lakeside parks, too, like the big master-planned community called Bayside, which has been a major development.
A Growing Community: Rowlett is constantly growing. The city has a good mix of residential neighborhoods, from classic suburban homes to more modern developments. Its location is a huge plus, with major highways and the DART light rail providing easy access to downtown Dallas.
Things to Do: You’ll find a lively downtown area with restaurants, shops, and community events. Places like Bankhead Brewing Co. are popular local spots. The city also has fun attractions like the Wet Zone waterpark and the Rowlett Creek Preserve for hiking and biking.

In a nutshell, Rowlett’s story is one of transformation. It went from a quiet cotton-farming village to a bustling, modern city with a focus on lakefront living, all thanks to that one big change in 1971.