In the quiet suburban neighborhoods of North Texas lie two cities whose origins remain a fascinating historical mystery: Anna and Melissa.
Both towns, nestled in Collin and Fannin counties, have long been linked by a tale of two sisters. But, as with many local legends, the truth behind the naming of these cities is more elusive than it seems.
The Stories Behind The Names
The widely circulated story suggests that the cities were named after a pair of sisters — daughters of prominent railroad executives from the early to mid-1800s.
According to Anna Public Affairs Manager Frances La Rue, one version of the story credits C.P. Huntington, a railroad tycoon, for naming the towns after his two daughters, Anna and Melissa. This narrative has been embraced by many, with its charming image of a father honoring his daughters through the very towns that would bear their names…