Weatherford, Texas
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Weatherford (Template:IPAc-en)<ref>Weatherford. Dictionary.com.</ref> is a city in and the county seat of Parker County, Texas, United States. In 2020, its population was 30,854.<ref name="2020Table">Template:Cite web</ref> Weatherford is named after Thomas J. Weatherford, a State senator and advocate for Texas's secession to the Confederate States during the American Civil War.
History
Beginnings
In 1854, Methodist Reverend Pleasant Tackett led 15 pioneer families into a land they called "Goshen," which would later become part of Parker County, itself to be created the following year by the efforts of State Representative Isaac Parker and State Senator Thomas Jefferson Weatherford in the Texas State Legislature.Template:Efn Evidence of a prior, failed attempt to colonize the region can be found in the abandoned cabin from 1852-53 located Template:Convert south of modern Weatherford on the J.H. Voorhies farm. In 1856Template:Sfn
The railroad arrived in June 1880. The Santa Fe Depot (which houses the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce) was built in 1908 under Jim Crow laws, with waiting rooms segregated and separated by the ticket office.
Geography
Weatherford is located Template:Convert west of Fort Worth on Interstate 20. It is the county seat for Parker County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (7.86%) is water.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate System describes the weather as humid subtropical, and uses the abbreviation Cfa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Demographics
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Race | Pop 2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Template:Partial<ref name="2020Table" /> | % 2010 | Template:Partial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 20,494 | 23,757 | 81.18% | 77.0% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 576 | 599 | 2.28% | 1.94% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 150 | 177 | 0.59% | 0.57% |
| Asian (NH) | 222 | 321 | 0.88% | 1.04% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 13 | 24 | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 8 | 93 | 0.03% | 0.3% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 350 | 1,385 | 1.38% | 4.49% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,437 | 4,498 | 13.61% | 14.58% |
| Total | 25,250 | 30,854 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,854 people, 11,528 households, and 7,643 families residing in the city.
Arts and culture
Weatherford is within the Bible Belt.
The Weatherford area is a large peach producer, and was named "Peach Capital of Texas" by the Texas Legislature. The peach is celebrated each year at the Parker County Peach Festival, which is Weatherford's largest event and one of the best-attended festivals in Texas.Template:Citation needed
Weatherford has been described as the "cutting horse capital of the world".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The headquarters of the National Snaffle Bit Association, an equestrian organization, is located in Weatherford.
Historic buildings
Several homes of the Queen Anne and Victorian styles were built at the turn of the 20th century; some are open for tours, arranged by the Parker County Heritage Society. The Parker County Courthouse is of the Second Empire style.Template:Citation needed
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Education
Weatherford is served by the Weatherford Independent School District.
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Weatherford College is a 150-year-old community college, with more than 35 study areas and 19 professional/technical programs. The college was originally built by Masons and was one of the first in Texas.Template:Citation needed
Media
The Weatherford Democrat has been publishing since 1895. The Weatherford Telegram began publishing as a weekly newspaper in 2006.
Transportation
Roads
Interstate
- Template:Jct is a major route that runs east to west through south Weatherford. To the east, the Interstate 20 goes through Hudson Oaks and Fort Worth. To the west, the I-20 pass by Brock.<ref name=":0">Texas Official Travel Map</ref>
U.S and State Highways
- Template:Jct is a United States highway that runs east to west through downtown Weatherford. To the east, US 180 goes through Hudson Oaks then converges with I-20. To the west, US 180 goes through Cool and Mineral Wells.
- Template:Jct is a Texas State highway that runs north to south through Weatherford. To the south, Texas State Highway 171 runs through Cresson.
- Template:Jct is a Texas State highway spur that start at US 180 and goes northeast to southwest eventually converging with I-20.<ref name=":0" />
Farm to Market Roads
- Template:Jct is a Farm to Market road that runs north to south through Weatherford. To the north, FM 920 goes through Peaster.
- Template:Jct is a Farm to Market road that runs north to south through Weatherford. To the north, FM 51 goes through Springtown. To the south, FM 51 goes through Granbury.
- Template:Jct is a Farm to Market road that runs northeast to southwest through Weatherford. To the north, FM 730 goes through Azle.<ref name=":0" />
Notable people
- Zach Britton, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees
- Mary Couts Burnett (1856–1924), philanthropist
- Douglas Chandor (1897–1953), British-born portrait painter and garden designer, designed the Chandor Gardens in Weatherford
- Thomas Stevenson Drew, the third governor of Arkansas, lived for a time in Weatherford
- Joe B. Frantz, historian on the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin
- Phil King, politician; Incumbent Texas Senator District 10<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Bob Kingsley, radio personality
- Edwin Lanham, author; was reared in Weatherford
- Kapron Lewis-Moore, defensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Mary Martin, Broadway star, known for her portrayal of Peter Pan
- Ted Minor, racing driver
- Jack Porter, U.S. Senate candidate in 1948
- Taylor Sheridan, American screenwriter
- William Hood Simpson lieutenant general during World War II
- Bob Tallman, nationally known rodeo announcer, operates a ranch in Parker County
- Hippo Vaughn, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs 1913–1921
- Roger Williams, U.S. representative, 105th Secretary of State of Texas<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Jim Wright, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; grew up in Weatherford
Notes
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References
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External links
- City of Weatherford
- Weatherford Chamber of Commerce
- View Historic photos of Weatherford from the Weatherford College Library, hosted by the Portal to Texas History
Template:Parker County, Texas Template:Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Template:Texas county seats