City of Bedford history

Then in 1803, an Act of Parliament created a body of men called Improvement Commissioners to pave and light the streets.

However, it grew rapidly during the 19th century and by 1831 Bedford had a population of 6,959.

In 1834 Assembly Rooms were built for balls and card games.

In 1849 a corn exchange was built where grain was bought and sold.

1850's - First known United States settlers in the Bedford area begin arriving.

The first cemetery in Bedford opened in 1855.

The settlers built a post office, school, cotton gin, and general store by 1857, though the town of Euless would see a tumultuous decade of closures and population changes as citizens moved away to better opportunities.

"The first Bedford area school met in a log building during the early 1860's.

1862 - The first school in the settlement, a log building, was built.

1866 A piped water supply is created in Bedford

He arrived in Texas in 1870 and shortly thereafter established a store for travelers to shop and rest.

Bobo opened a post office in 1877 and operated it out of the front of his residence.

1882 Shire Hall is built

The burying ground, established in 1681, was apparently still in use after the Colonial period as the latest headstone dates to 1885.

Furthermore, The Park was opened in 1888.

Amazingly, citizens moved the bridge in the 1930s to do its job spanning Little Bear Creek on Euless – Grapevine Highway. It was originally built in 1889 to cross the Trinity River in Arlington, Texas.

In 1893 it was also destroyed by fire and local citizens raised funds for a new elementary school nearby.

1899 A hospital opens in Bedford

In 1903, the Rock Island Line came to town, building through the ranch land and small communities that had cropped up after the Civil War.

1905 - A new highway (I-30) was built between Fort Worth and Dallas through Arlington and Grand Prairie.

In 1909 the post office closed.

In 1914, taxpaying citizens of the Bedford Common School District voted overwhelmingly to issue bonds to finance the construction of a new school.

The town was virtually nonexistent until industrial projects began in the 1920s.

Bedford Hills is the seat of Town government and home to the Town House, built in 1927.

The first public library in Bedford opened in 1935.

1940's - Population at a meager 76 gets the first big boom thanks to World War II.

1949 - Bedford Boys Ranch, originally a home for boys, was established. (in present day it is a social center and recreational park, and also the site of the July 4th Fireworks every year.

It wasn’t until the construction of a 1951 production plant that the population grew considerably larger.

The era of profound change in Bedford occurred during and immediately following World War II. The town of Bedford was incorporated in 1953 at which time the population stood at 475.

1955 - The city's first fire department is established with 30 volunteers.

1959 - A new fire hall/city hall building is opened.

The 350-acre residential development calls for a total of 1,000 houses to be built within five years, 220 of which are scheduled to be finished in 1960.

1962 Bedford Museum opens on its present site

1964 - First library built in a small home near the fire hall/city building.

1965 - First Police department created with one police officer.

1970 - Population passes 10,000 with an annual growth rate of 7.56%. Value of taxable property was $80 million.

In 1972, the Bedford Village Historic District was established by local ordinance and is listed on both the New York State and the National Register of Historic Places.

1975 - City acquires the Bedford Boys Ranch and turns it into a park.

The Harpur Centre opened in 1976.

In 1977, with construction planned on nearby property, a group of Bedford citizens raised money to purchase that property, providing additional protection for the tree.

1980 - Population is 20,821 Annual growth rate was 7.71% and taxable property value was at $251 million.

In 1983, the Historic District of Katonah was listed on the New York State and National registers of Historic Places.

All designs and structures were restored back to the authentic period look and the building re-opened to the public in 1996.

1998 The Bunyan Museum opens in Bedford

Experts restored the Himes Log House and moved it to Heritage Park in 2000.