Weatherford, Texas

Weatherford, Texas
Weatherford is a city and the county seat of Parker County, Texas, United States. In 2020, its population was 30,854. Weatherford is named after Thomas J. Weatherford, a State senator and advocate for Texas’ secession to the Confederate States.
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. Evidence of a prior, failed attempt to colonize the region can be found in the abandoned cabin from 1852-53 located south of modern Weatherford on the J.H. Voorhies farm. In 1856
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 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 of which is land and (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.
Demographics
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.
Weatherford has been described as the "cutting horse capital of the world".
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.
Government
Phil King represents Weatherford in the Texas House of Representatives.
Education
Weatherford is served by the Weatherford Independent School District.
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.
Media
The Weatherford Democrat has been publishing since 1895. The Weatherford Telegram began publishing as a weekly newspaper in 2006.
Notable people
Zach Britton, Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched 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, Chandor Gardens in Weatherford
Thomas Stevenson Drew, the third governor of Arkansas, lived for a time in Weatherford before he relocated to Hood County, Texas
Joe B. Frantz, historian on the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin, was born in Dallas but reared in Weatherford
Phil King, politician
Bob Kingsley, radio personality. He was host of the nationally syndicated programs American Country Countdown (ACC) from 1978 to 2005 and Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40 from 2006 until his death in 2019
Edwin Lanham, author; was reared in Weatherford, the slightly veiled setting for his most critically acclaimed work "The Wind Blew West"
Kapron Lewis-Moore, defensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens
Mary Martin, a Broadway star, known for her portrayal of Peter Pan. Her son, Larry Hagman, became a TV star, best known as J.R. Ewing on the television melodrama Dallas. Hagman made appearances for special occasions and to assist many Weatherford charities as his brother still lives in Weatherford
Ted Minor, racing driver
Jack Porter, U.S. Senate candidate in 1948 and a builder of the modern Texas Republican Party
William Hood Simpson (May 18, 1888 – August 15, 1980), lieutenant general, commanded the U.S. Ninth Army in northern Europe, during World War II
Bob Tallman, nationally known rodeo announcer, operates a ranch in Parker County near Weatherford
Hippo Vaughn, Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched for the Chicago Cubs 1913–1921
Jim Wright, Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; grew up in Weatherford and wrote a book about his youth, Weatherford Days…a Time of Learning
Taylor Sheridan, American screenwriter
Sports
Baseball
Raymond E. Curtis Field
Notes
References
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
Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex
Cities in Parker County, Texas
Cities in Texas
County seats in Texas