HISTORY

North Benbrook, the part of the city of Benbrook that extends north along Loop 820 up into and almost surrounded by Fort Worth, lies about nine miles west of the Fort Worth Central Business District. Benbrook had its beginning, as did most of Tarrant County, 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

North Benbrook's homes are predominantly brick ranch style one story homes with large trees shading the quiet streets. Along Mary's Creek the streets curve to fit the contour of the creek and the trees are even larger. Even though North Benbrook is largely cut off from the rest of the city of Benbrook by I-20, the residents still take an active interest in the events at Benbrook City Hall.

SCHOOLS

Elementary
Waverly Park Elementary, 3604 Cimarron Trail, 817-560-5660

Middle
Leonard Middle School, 8900 Chapin Rd., 817-560-5630

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. 80, Hwy. 377 S.
Nearest Mall: Ridgmar Mall
City Council District Number: At large
School District Number: 6
Voting Precinct Number: 4009, 4337


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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