Denton incorporated in 1866 and has several nicknames: Little Austin, Little D and Redbud Capital of Texas. Both the county and the town were named for John B. Denton, a preacher and lawyer who lost his life fighting for the people of Texas.
Located on the far north end of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in North Texas on Interstate 35, Denton is known for its active music life; the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo, Denton Arts and Jazz Festival, and 35 Denton Music Festival attract over 300,000 people to the city each year.