Taylor is turning 150 years old in 2026 and the city plans to celebrate its birthday in epic fashion.
That was the word during a recent City Council meeting as Ruby Fisher, the city’s special-event coordinator, outlined plans for the city’s 2026 sesquicentennial observance.
“The last time the city of Taylor had a documented ceremony that I could find in the historical records for us being open a certain amount of time is our golden jubilee in 1926 where we had an ‘over 50 years in Taylor’ celebration,” Fisher said.
The city was founded as Taylorsville in 1876, when the Texas Land Co. sold off lots in anticipation of the railroad arriving in the area. It was named after Edward Moses Taylor, a railroad official. The name was changed to Taylor in 1892.
With all the growth and excitement in Taylor now, Fisher expects a lot of people will want to be part of the sesquicentennial commemoration.
A form on the city’s website, taylortx. gov, can be filled out by those who want to volunteer for an ad hoc planning committee or otherwise help with events.
As part of Fisher’s strategy, all city events in 2026 will be branded as sesquicentennial observances, and some additional showcases will be added.
She has been working with several of the city departments to come up with ideas to promote the theme.
The Taylor Public Library may host a gallery of the 1930s timecapsule contents that were accidentally uncovered in 2014 during the demolition of the old City Hall building, city officials heard. Library staffers would also like to create a new time capsule to be buried under a commemorative city seal at the planned Justice Center in 2026.
Parks and Recreation Department employees said they will support planting 150 trees for the celebration as well as potentially replacing the Christmas light displays with historic lighting.
The Fire Department is hoping to restore a historical fire engine in time to participate in a commemorative parade.
The Police Department is considering creating a challenge coin to award people who help with the events, and Commander Joseph Branson has offered to help host “Taylor Talks” on the history of the force.
Fisher hopes the city can assist the Moody Museum complete a statue of Gov. Dan Moody, which is already designed and partly funded. Moody, a Taylor native, also challenged the Ku Klux Klan in court during the 1920s.
And of course, there will be a party.
“I would like to hold a large parade and street festival to be held in November which would be our large sesquicentennial celebration,” Fisher said. “That would involve road closures and staffing and it would be a good chance to get people into the streets celebrating our city and also helping drive some economic vitality in our downtown district.”
Funding for the event will come from sales of sesquicentennialthemed merchandise, sponsorships and a portion of the hotel-occupancy tax reserves.
Council members expressed enthusiasm about the plan but warned Fisher she might be overwhelmed by all those wanting to be part of the historic celebration.
Councilman Robert Garcia commended Fisher on her past successes with city events.
“I know this will be the best sesquicentennial we will ever have,” he quipped.
