HISTORY

The city of Benbrook, which for this narrative includes the neighborhoods of West Park, Rolling Hills, Lakeside and Timbercreek, lies about ten miles Southwest of the Fort Worth Central Business District and stretches along either side of highways 377, I-20 and Loop 820. It had its beginning as part of the Peters Colony.

W. S. Peters, a Kentucky businessman, was invited to Texas in 1841 by Sam Houston when Texas was a Republic. The Peters Colony land covered all of what became Tarrant County. Indians inhabited the land, and the first white settlers began coming to the present Benbrook area as early as 1854.

Among the first settlers were Edward and Nancy Wilburn, who helped build the first church, school and meeting hall, all in one building. During the Civil War, the building was neglected and became uninhabitable. In 1880, Marinda, the daughter of the Wilburns, and her husband, John Snyder, donated five acres at the intersection of today's Mercedes and Winscott Plover Rd. for use as a school, it becoming known as the Marinda School, and the neighborhood around it became known as Marinda.

In 1874, James M. Benbrook arrived from Illinois. He was instrumental in getting a railroad depot built in Marinda. The depot was named Benbrook in his honor and by 1884, the community and school were called Benbrook. About 20 families lived there at the turn of the century.

Another early settler was Winfield Scott, who later owned Thistle Hill, the cattle baron mansion in Fort Worth. Scott owned 12,000 acres in Benbrook. His ranch house was on Winscott-Plover Rd., named for him, south of today's lake. Another famous resident was Elliott Roosevelt, who lived on a 1,300 acre ranch on Dutch Branch. His father, President F. D. Roosevelt, visited him several times during World War II.

During World War I, an airfield was built in Benbrook, in today's Lakeside addition. First called Taliafero Field, it was soon renamed Carruthers Field. Capt. Vernon Castle, an internationally known dancer, was a flying instructor and was killed in a training accident at the field.

Benbrook's population remained around 40 until World War II, when workers came to work at the "bomber plant", Convair, later known as General Dynamics and now Lockheed Martin. The population steadily grew during this time.

After the big flood in 1949, Benbrook finally incorporated and the Corps of Engineers began building Benbrook Lake as a flood control project and recreation area.

Benbrook today has about 26,000 residents, most of whom work in Fort Worth. It has a mayor, city council, fire department, police department and its own water and sewer systems, and considerable pride in the community.

NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION

The many neighborhoods of Benbrook vary in architectural styles depending largely upon when the area was developed. Older Benbrook homes are predominantly frame cottages and the newer West Park area has ranch style brick single story homes. The Timbercreek neighborhood has brick and frame homes, some two story, and back along the Trinity River banks you can find large brick homes in the tall trees. The lots are spacious in most areas of Benbrook.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Westpark Homeowners Association and the Trinity Estates Neighborhood Association were formed to help keep the quality of life good in the areas. Various neighborhood activities can be found and a Crime Watch has been organized.

SCHOOLS

Elementary
Westpark Elementary, 10117 Westpark Dr., 817-249-7150
Benbrook Elementary, 800 Mercedes, 817-249-7100

Middle
Wm. Monnig Middle School, 3136 Bigham Blvd., 817-377-7250

High School
Western Hills High School, 3600 Boston, 817-560-5600


OTHER INFORMATION
Nearest Fire Station: 528 Mercedes, 817-249-1727, emergencies: 911
Nearest Medical Facilities: Baylor All Saints Hospital City View, 7104 Oakmont Blvd., 817-346-5700
Nearest Post Office: Benbrook Station, 9500 Hwy. 377 S, 817-249-3070
Nearest Grocery Shopping, Hwy. 377 S.
Nearest Mall: Ridgmar Mall, Hulen Mall
Nearest Park: Dutch Branch Park, Pecan Valley Park, Clear Fork Park, Benbrook Lake
City Council District Number: At large
School District Number: 6
Voting Precinct Number: 1208, 4021, 1302, 1206, depending on location of house.


This information was conceived, researched and written by Wini Klein, REALTOR®, for the Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS®, with assistance from the City of Fort Worth Planning Department, Historic Preservation Council for Tarrant County, Historic Fort Worth, Inc., Texas Christian University, Junior League, Fort Worth Independent School District, Tarrant County Tax Office, League of Neighborhoods and encouragement from the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

© 1999, 2007, Wini Klein


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