Old Town Katy

In the beginning it was only a wide open prairie,  the winter feeding grounds of great herds of buffalo and large flocks of wild ducks, and home to longhorn cattle, deer, and wolves. The town site of Katy was laid out and platted  in 1895, supposedly named for the M-K-T Railroad that runs through it. The City of Katy was formally incorporated in 1945. Katy has always been a traditional family style community; however, it also played a major role as a rail hub, a rice farming and agricultural center, and one of the largest gas fields in this part of Texas.

Katy residents often split the city into two informal sections: Historic Katy (also known as Old Katy or Katy Proper) and “the greater Katy Area”.   The actual city limits of Katy lies north and south of Interstate 10, and roughly between Katy Fort Bend Road on the east and Pederson Road on the west. The historic downtown area , Old Town Katy, is north of Highway 90, near the landmark grain elevators.  This is the original Katy from before the 1970s when Houston’s Energy Corridor (and the development that came with it) made its way west on I-10.  Ancestral Homes of Katy were researched and historical markers erected by the local Texas Sesquicentennial Committee in 1986. The historical markers can be used as a guide for a walking or driving tour of more than a dozen historical homes and buildings in downtown Katy. The Katy Heritage Society was established in 1979 by a group formed to save the old MKT Railroad Depot. With the help of the City, the Depot was acquired and restored by the Heritage Society. Other historical structures have been acquired and restored by the Society. All of their structures are now located at Katy Heritage Park.

Katy is a tight-knit community - "a small city with big city amenities," former Mayor Fabol Hughes used to say. And, of course, it's a city of football. As Katy and its beloved football team, the Tigers, are a huge part of the cultural in Old Town Katy. The Friday night lights are bright here in Old Town Katy as the whole city cheers on the local boys as they fight to football victory week after week.  The football team at Katy High School is a huge draw for any sports loving family. They hold many state championship titles. 

The state’s largest innovative playground for multiple-impaired and profoundly deaf children, is also located within Katy City Park located in the heart of Old Town Katy. The all-inclusive 13,000 square foot playground, custom designed to feature Katy’s name sake the MKT Rail line, features special equipment, ramps and swings for children of all physical abilities. This play facility is a one-of-a-kind attraction for both able and disable bodied children and has quickly become a destination within the community for family fun recreation. Katy Play Station was featured in Today’s Playground Magazine and has received several awards for its design and contribution to the Katy community.

Old Town Katy combines the best of both worlds; the small town feel with the traditional Texas roots and the excitement of city access to diverse cultures and growing opportunities. Old Town Katy is a fabulous place to call home. The Upshaw Group would love to help you find the perfect home for you in this quaint town. Call us at 281-220-2110 for a free consultation.