Early Settlement
Our community began when W.S. Peters agreed to bring 600 families into the area within a three-year period as part of a land grant. Families began arriving in the summer of 1848. In 1849, Tarrant County was established and named for General Edward H. Tarrant. The community of Birdville (adjacent to what is now North Richland Hills' southwest boundary) was named the first county seat. The area remained a rural farming and ranching community for more than 100 years.
Incorporation
In 1952, Clarence Jones began to subdivide his 268-acre dairy farm into a suburban addition in the area that is now Cummings Drive. In 1953, the North Richland Hills Civic League sought to have the area annexed to Richland Hills, then voted to form their own city when annexation was denied. An election was held, and the 268 acres of the Jones Farm, with a population of 500, became officially incorporated as the City of North Richland Hills.
Growth
By 1957, the North Richland Hills' boundary was within two miles of Smithfield and by 1960, Smithfield had been annexed to North Richland Hills. In 1960, the population of North Richland Hills was beginning to rise at 8,662 residents, with that number doubling to 16,514 by 1970. The city's population continued to grow at a rapid pace with the 1980 census at 30,592 and the 1990 census reflecting 45,895. As the city entered the new millennium, it was estimated that the population was approximately 56,500. Today, North Richland Hills is the third largest city in Tarrant County with nearly 70,000 residents.
Charter
North Richland Hills operates under a charter adopted in 1964, which provides for a "Council-Manager" form of government. The City Council is composed of a mayor and seven council members elected at large. The council determines the overall goals and objectives for the city, establishes policies and adopts the city's annual operating budget. The city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the city.
The North Richland Hills City Council and team of city employees are committed to providing quality services and to making North Richland Hills the "City of Choice to Live, Work & Play."
More Information
More information about the history of North Richland Hills is available at the NRH Public Library, 9015 Grand Ave., 817-427-6800.
Links
Birdsong, NRH Public Library's digital archive of history of Northeast Tarrant County
Tarrant County Historical Commission