A man walks by the old Coca-Cola mural in Decatur’s courthouse square on Thursday, March 29, 2025.
Chris Torres
ctorres@star-telegram.com
On a Saturday morning in Decatur, life moves a little slower.
The sunlight reflects off the pink granite of the Wise County Courthouse in the middle of the square, its clock tower standing tall.
Cars drives down East Walnut Street past the Wise County Courthouse currently undergoing renovations in Decatur. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Decatur spans just 8.7 miles, but within that stretch is a community tightly woven by tradition and pride — especially on Friday nights, when families crowd into the high school gym or football stadium to cheer on the Eagles.
Jennifer Featherston, who has lived in Decatur for 14 years, walks her dog Daisy with her 11-year-old daughter Lily in the Decatur courthouse square on March 29, 2025. Featherston said she loves seeing new development in the city because it will cater to the younger families moving in. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
People stroll along the brick sidewalks, waving to neighbors and stopping in at Main Street Mall Antiques, where the shelves are filled with old relics, glassware and keepsakes that feel like they belong in someone’s time capsule.
Shirley Leverett organizes her favorite area where she works at the Main Street Mall antique store in Decatur’s courthouse square on March 29. Leverett, who has worked at the antique store for 10 years, said she does not mind the growth of the city, but would like to see more small businesses and less corporate companies. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
A photo of the Wise County Courthouse is on sale at the Main Street Mall antique store located in Decatur on Thursday, March 29, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Visitors and residents alike come to Decatur looking for a break from big-city life — for a chance to breathe, slow down and feel connected.
The town’s charm isn’t just in its historic buildings or quiet streets, but in how people treat each other. Strangers will hold the door for you, neighbors tell tales of the city’s history, and shop owners know your name by the second visit.
For many, Decatur offers something they can’t find in Dallas or Fort Worth: a strong sense of community.
Kitchen manager Trey Pittman takes a finished pizza out of the oven during the lunch rush at State Street Pizza Company in Decatur on March 29, 2025. Pittman, who has been with State Street since it opened in 2020, believes the population growth and development in Decatur will result in business “booming.” Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Pizza maker Kolby Hamblin, left, prepares to catch a dough tossed in the air by kitchen manager Trey Pittman in the dining room at State Street Pizza Company in Decatur on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
By lunchtime, the smell of pizza fills the square near State Street Pizza Co., where families gather inside and out, sharing stories over slices and sodas. Just across the square, a Coca-Cola mural adds a pop of color and nostalgia, a favorite photo stop for tourists and locals alike.
Employee Tyson Thompson, 17, makes a milkshake for a customer at Hey Sugar Candy Store in Decatur’s town square on Thursday, March 29, 2025. Thompson has lived in Decatur all her life and believes the city could use a makeover. She hopes the growth and development could jump-start that. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
A shelf with various candy brands is labeled the ‘Decatur Drive-In’ with retro toy cars on top of it at Hey Sugar Candy Store in Decatur on Thursday, March 29, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Families stroll past storefronts, locals browse through antiques, and the town hums with casual conversation. A few steps away, Hey Sugar Candy Store catches the eye with its bright displays and retro charm. Inside, it’s like stepping into the past — shelves lined with classic sweets, checkerboard floors and soda shop vibes that make visitors wonder if this is what Decatur felt like decades ago.
Denton resident Max Brown, left, helps his daughter Ava, 2, with his father-in-law Colin Galdo play on the bridge in Harmon Park in Decatur on March 29, 2025. Brown said he welcomes growth but hopes the city implements more resources and amenities to accommodate all of its residents, old and new. Brown also mentioned the only grocery store in the area is a Walmart. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Later in the day, Harmon Park comes alive with children playing while neighbors catch up on benches shaded by big oak trees. Damaris Peña, a Decatur resident since 2005, often sits on her porch, watching the scenes unfold across the street with a smile.
“I just love watching the kids and families play and just be happy,” Peña said.
Decatur resident Damaris Peña looks on at the kids playing at a park from her family home in Decatur on Thursday, March 29, 2025. Peña and her family have lived in Decatur since 2005 and moved into their current home around seven years ago. Peña doesn’t have strong feelings about the growth, but hopes it doesn’t interrupt the peaceful ambiance of the city. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
As the sun dips low and the courthouse clock chimes, the streets quiet down. Lights turn on in cozy homes, and people end their day feeling a little more grounded.
For those who visit Decatur, and those who stay, it’s a reminder of how nice life can be when you keep things simple.
A man walks by the old Coca-Cola mural in Decatur’s courthouse square on Thursday, March 29, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 9:32 AM.
