History
The Weatherford area was controlled by Kiowas and Comanches through the late 1840’s when settlers of European descent began moving into the area on trails along the Brazos River. Immigration to the area was encouraged during the early 1850s by an outbreak of malaria in neighboring counties and by the establishment of the Butterfield Overland Mail route (the only major road that lead west) in 1855.
Under the leadership of state representative Isaac Parker, 224 settlers in the area signed a petition for the establishment of a new county, and the state legislature approved the formation of Parker County in December 1855. Weatherford (named for state senator Jefferson Weatherford) was designated as the county seat, and by 1858, the town had a brick courthouse surrounded by a handful of cabins and tents.
The Texas and Pacific Railway extended its track through Weatherford in 1880, and the town became the northern terminus of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe in 1887. The Weatherford, Mineral Wells and Northwestern Railroad completed its construction in the county by 1891. The railroads linked the area to national markets, and led to the establishment of new farms and an increase in the area’s population. Built in 1908, the Santa Fe Depot houses the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce today.
The economy continued to grow in the first years of the 20th century, due in part to the continued expansion of cotton and fruit cultivation. By 1910, cotton grew on almost 90,000 acres and nearly 144,000 fruit trees (mostly peach) grew in Parker County.
Interstate Highway 20 was built through the area in the 1960’s, allowing thousands of new residents to move in and commute to their jobs in Fort Worth. Significant production of oil began in the county after 1966 and almost 823,000 barrels of crude oil were produced in 1973.
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- Introduction
- History
- Western Heritage
- Cutting Horse Capital of the World
- Peach Capital of Texas
- Unexpected Elegance
- Famous Forefathers
- City Government
- Weathford ISD
- Christian Education
- Weatherford College
- Weatherford Regional Medical Center
- Weatherford TX Map
- Weatherford Texas Chamber Website
- Weatherford TX Participating Advertisers
