Welcome to the home
of the Parker County Heritage Society. Hopefully what
you will see on these pages will entice you to come
and visit us someday. You can find us in the town of
Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. We are just 28 miles
west of downtown Fort Worth and about 45 minutes west
from Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.
Founded in 1856 as the county seat
of Parker, the city of Weatherford soon became a railroad
town known for its’ outstanding agriculture and
cattle. Watermelons thrived in the warm sandy soils
and cattle grew fat on the abundant grasses found in
the area. Also being one of the last frontier towns
to the west a large number of dry goods merchants set
up shop in the city and built some of the finest homes
money could buy.
The historic downtown area of Weatherford
reaches several blocks in each direction from the newly
restored Parker County Courthouse. Built in 1888 for
a cost of $55,555.00 this courthouse is a shining example
of all the city has to offer. We are proud that many
of the fine old homes built in the area have survived
the growth and development of the city over the years.
Many of the homes have been restored even beyond their
original splendor and each year several of them are
opened up for our annual Christmas Candlelight Tour
of Homes. The tour is held each second Saturday in
December so be sure and visit the tour page before
you leave.
This small town has raised some very
influential people, which helped to shape and form
the course of history of not only our community and
state but our nation as well. A few notables would
be J.R. Couts who in 1870 rode horse back from San
Francisco, CA back to Weatherford with $50,000 in gold
and founded the oldest bank west of the Mississippi.
Oliver Loving who blazed the cattle trails and dispensed
justice on the old frontier is buried in Old City Greenwood
Cemetery along with his ever faithful guide Bose Ikard.
These two men along with Charles Goodnight had their
exploits brought to life in the book by Larry McMurtry
called Lonesome Dove. The Society is proud of the preservation
work in the Old City Greenwood Cemetery so be sure
and click that link as well.
In order to ensure that our past is
not lost in our movement towards the future we need
to make a dedicated effort to preserve and secure all
the elements that have made and continue to make Weatherford
an attractive place to live. While we realize that
economic development is key to securing the city’s
financial future it is imperative that it not be at
the risk of losing what we were founded upon. That
foundation is neighborhoods, for instance the original
neighborhoods that extend for several blocks in all
four directions from the Courthouse Square. Within
these limits are numerous examples of life and homes
from days gone by. These days or homes will never return
again, therefore the need to see them preserved. As
our leaders plan and develop the course for our city’s
future please join with us as we work with them toward
a common goal of preserving our small town heritage,
even as we grow into a larger urban community.
The Society is also the parent of
the Weatheford150 Committee who is organizing events
for celebrating Weatherford’s sesquicentennial
in 2006. Keep track of the planning by coming back
and visiting Weatherford150.com
I hope you enjoy your time here on
our web site and please let us know what you think
of our home. We welcome all your comments so if you
would like to contact us then choose one of the mailboxes
and we will look forward to hearing from you.
Gregg Lane, President
Parker County Heritage Society |
