Settlement of Parker County began in earnest
during the mid-19th century, with pioneers
finding the area hospitable because of easy access
to water. Proximity to the Brazos and Trinity Rivers
and their tributaries, plus an outbreak of malaria in
Tarrant, Denton, and Collin counties, led settlers to
push west into the area. The county was established
in 1855 and named in honor of Isaac Parker, a state
representative.
The area was fraught with danger, with raids from
Native Americans a frequent occurrence. Isaac Parker’s
niece, Cynthia Ann Parker, was famous for being
stolen from her home during the Texas Revolution.
Cynthia Ann went on to live among the Comanche
and was the mother of legendary chief Quanah Parker.
When Parker County was established, the county
seat was designated as Weatherford, named for the
state senator of the district. Post offices soon followed
in Weatherford, Ashville, Cooper Hill, Cream Level
(later know as Veal’s Station), and Newburg. Only the
town of Weatherford remains from those original post
offices.
The Civil War was hard on Parker County, leaving
the county largely undefended as most men of
fighting age joined the military during the conflict.
The population, number of farms and ranches, and
agricultural production dropped sharply, but 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,
PHOTO CREDIT: PARKER COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Parker County History | Rose Kertok
104 EAST PARKER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | RELOCATION & BUSINESS GUIDE 2020 - 2021