Weatherford, Texas

Glen Rose, Texas

Weather: low 32 degrees, high 70 degrees, clear and calm, 16% humidity. A beautiful day.

Today is our daughter Lori's birthday. Happy Birthday, Dear.

Since the weather was so nice, we decided to take a short trip over to Weatherford, located about 25 miles from where we are. The drive over there is through some of the prettiest countryside you could ever want to drive through.

Weatherford is located 20 miles west of Fort Worth, and is growing rapidly. The population is about 25,ooo, and you can find just about anything you might want in the way of stores. A lot of building is going on, the traffic is heavy, and the town does not appear to be ready for what is coming at them. Several famous people are from here, including Mary Martin, who created the Peter Pan role on Broadway, and Jim Wright, speaker of the House of Representatives.

Famous cattle driver Oliver Loving is buried here in Greenwood Cemetery. After being attacked by Indians in New Mexico in 1867, Loving’s dying wish to his friend, Charles Goodnight, was to be buried in his home, Parker County. Goodnight brought the body back six hundred miles by wagon for burial. If this story sounds familiar, it should. It is the inspiration behind Texas author Larry McMurtry's novel, Lonesome Dove.

A year earlier, Goodnight had invented the first chuckwagon which carried everything needed to cook for the cowboys on a cattle drive that would later become known as the Goodnight-Loving Trail.

Boze Ikard, who served with Goodnight and for whom the character “Deets” was named after in Lonesome Dove, was also buried in the Greenwood Cemetery.

Also known as the Cutting Horse Capital of the World, Weatherford is home to hundreds of professional trainers, Hall-of-Fame horses and a life-size bronze cutting horse.

Named by the State Legislature as the Peach Capital of Texas, Weatherford and Parker County growers celebrate each year at the Parker County Peach Festival, Weatherford’s largest event. More than 35,000 visitors come to Weatherford to enjoy homemade peach ice cream, peach cobbler, peach pie, peach juleps, peach smoothies, and just plain peaches.

More than sixty Queen Anne, Victorian, and other beautiful homes built at the turn of the century sit along the streets. The crown jewel is the Parker County Courthouse. Located in the geographical center of the county, this courthouse is the in the heart of downtown.

Along with all the stuff I listed above, the area also has some urban legend stuff, consisting mainly of the claim that a big, hairy ape-like animal roams the area. A cast has been made of a foot print, but it is only for the left foot. So, is this a one-legged booger, or does he have a peg leg?

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Weatherford, Texas: Growing With Tradition