the economy began to stabilize
again during the 1870’s, with
another population boom and
an expanding crop production,
particularly cotton.
Settlements such as Aledo
(formerly Parker Station) and the
Annettas began popping up in the
eastern part of the county, fueled
by trade routes and railroads.
Aledo was named in honor of a
railroad employee’s hometown,
and Annetta was named after
the daughter of A.B. Fraser, who
owned a trading post for buffalo
hide traders.
By 1910 nearly 90,000 acres
of the county were planted with
cotton, and fruit trees – including
the famous Parker County
Peach – emerged as another
industry in the county. Between
1910-1940 cotton production
declined, especially during the
Great Depression. The county
population, however, increased
in size, and new products such
as peanuts, hay, vegetables and
livestock helped keep county
residents in business in the mid-
20th century.
Bankhead Highway, completed
in the 1920’s provided a
HISTORICAL POPULATION
CENSUS POP. %±
1860 4,213 —
1870 4,186 −0.6%
1880 15,870 279.1%
1890 21,682 36.6%
1900 25,823 19.1%
1910 26,331 2.0%
1920 23,382 −11.2%
1930 18,759 −19.8%
1940 20,482 9.2%
1950 21,528 5.1%
1960 22,880 6.3%
1970 33,888 48.1%
1980 44,609 31.6%
1990 64,785 45.2%
2000 88,495 36.6%
2010 116,927 32.1%
Est. 2016 129,441 10.7%
U.S. Decennial Census10
1850–201011 2010–20141
thoroughfare from the DFW
metroplex to points such as
Mineral Wells, and what is
now the community of Willow
Park sprung up along the route,
featuring a roadside park with
willow trees and a pond. The park
but eventually demolished when
Interstate 20 was built, but the
name stuck.
Willow Park would incorporate
in 1963; Aledo would incorporate
in 1964; Hudson Oaks in 1978;
and the Annettas in 1979. Many
employees who worked for
companies in Fort Worth and
beyond moved to the area for
good schools and the slowerpaced
rural lifestyle. Subdivisions
began popping up in former cow
pastures, a golf course was added
in Willow Park, and churches and
businesses began to grow. n
Sources:
Kay Davis, Texas State Historical
Association, Parker County
Historical Commission
www.EastParkerChamber.com 105