That's right, it's time to celebrate train robbery... or at least commemorate one very famous train robbery in particular. The city of Allen has a few different "claims to fame" like being the home of Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson and being home to the very first successful train robbery in Texas.

The latter involves a heist which went down 130 years ago in Allen, TX (February 22, 1878) and was perpetrated by the infamous Sam Bass and his gang. Back then Allen was little more than a water stop for refilling steam engines on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad (H&TC). However, times have changed and Allen has come a long way in the past 130 years. On Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 10am to 2pm the Allen Heritage Guild is commemorating the infamous event with a live re-enactment of the Sam Bass Gang Robbery by Allen H.S. Drama Students and family activities at the Allen Heritage Center (train depot). From 2pm to 4pm there will be a presentation of "Holdup at Allen Station" by Rick Miller, County Attorney of Bell County, TX and author of the book "Sam Bass & Gang." A reception and book signing will follow the presentation.

So, come out and enjoy celebrating, or at least commemorating, one of Allen, Texas' most interesting "claims to fame." It should be a great time for the whole family... just don't tell the kids they're actually learning history.