The Colony, TexasThe Colony, Texas

The City by the LakeThe City by the Lake

History of The Colony, TexasHistory of The Colony, Texas

First Settlers – Mildred Bridges and her First Settlers – Mildred Bridges and her sons, William and David settled on Office sons, William and David settled on Office Creek (Just south of The Colony High Creek (Just south of The Colony High School). School).

The settlement became known as the The settlement became known as the Bridges Settlement and was the first in Bridges Settlement and was the first in Denton County.Denton County.

John and Mildred Bridges began their John and Mildred Bridges began their journey to Texas from North Carolina.journey to Texas from North Carolina.

The First SettlersThe First Settlers

Their journey to Texas took them through Their journey to Texas took them through Kentucky where William was born. Kentucky where William was born.

Then they moved to Illinois where David Then they moved to Illinois where David was born. was born.

John, Mildred’s husband died in Illinois.John, Mildred’s husband died in Illinois. Mildred moved her sons to Texas.Mildred moved her sons to Texas. Many immigrants also came to farm the rich Many immigrants also came to farm the rich

soil in Bridges Settlement. soil in Bridges Settlement.

Early history of Denton CountyEarly history of Denton County

Others moved to what is now Lewisville, but Others moved to what is now Lewisville, but at that time it was called Holford’s Pairie at that time it was called Holford’s Pairie Settlement.Settlement.

Trouble Comes – About 1853, trouble Trouble Comes – About 1853, trouble arrived. The Land Settlement Company arrived. The Land Settlement Company sent a man named Henry Hedgcoxe to sent a man named Henry Hedgcoxe to establish rules, which angered the settlers.establish rules, which angered the settlers.

Hedgcoxe ran away and the settlers burned Hedgcoxe ran away and the settlers burned his surveyor’s office.his surveyor’s office.

First Cabin in The ColonyFirst Cabin in The Colony

The Hedgcoxe WarThe Hedgcoxe War

The burning of the surveyor’s office caused The burning of the surveyor’s office caused confusion when papers showing ownership confusion when papers showing ownership of the land could not be found.of the land could not be found.

This became known as the “Hedgcoxe This became known as the “Hedgcoxe War”.War”.

The colonists appointed a man named Willis The colonists appointed a man named Willis Stewart to work out an agreement with the Stewart to work out an agreement with the General Land Office in Austin. General Land Office in Austin.

Homestead LawHomestead Law

The result of Mr. Stewart’s action was the The result of Mr. Stewart’s action was the world’s first complete homestead law, which world’s first complete homestead law, which became a model for much of the country. became a model for much of the country.

Stewart’s Peninsula got it’s name from this Stewart’s Peninsula got it’s name from this man, Willis Stewart.man, Willis Stewart.

Mildred Bridges

Bridges Cemetery The Colony, Tx

Dream City, The ColonyDream City, The Colony

In 1969, Fox and Jacobs bought the land for In 1969, Fox and Jacobs bought the land for The Colony. Some of the land was The Colony. Some of the land was purchased from descendants of the original purchased from descendants of the original settlers. settlers.

The land was developed as the “Dream The land was developed as the “Dream City” of Dave Fox. City” of Dave Fox.

MUD No. 1 was the first thing built in The MUD No. 1 was the first thing built in The Colony.Colony.

Starting The ColonyStarting The Colony

This building was called Office Creek Pump This building was called Office Creek Pump Station, and was built to provide water to the Station, and was built to provide water to the houses.houses.

The Fox and Jacobs Company bought 2000 The Fox and Jacobs Company bought 2000 acres and started building houses. acres and started building houses.

People moved into the first house in 1974.People moved into the first house in 1974. The citizens needed fire and police The citizens needed fire and police

protection, so they decided to become a protection, so they decided to become a city. city.

Started to GrowStarted to Grow

In 1977 the city was incorporated as “The In 1977 the city was incorporated as “The Colony”. Colony”.

Luis Guerrero was elected the first mayor.Luis Guerrero was elected the first mayor. At that time Fox and Jacobs Company was At that time Fox and Jacobs Company was

building an average of 100 homes perbuilding an average of 100 homes per

month.month. The Colony is still growing today.The Colony is still growing today.

The Logo for The ColonyThe Logo for The Colony

Early Businesses in The ColonyEarly Businesses in The Colony

Larry’s RestaurantLarry’s Restaurant The Colony Animal ClinicThe Colony Animal Clinic Stop and GoStop and Go

Larry’s RestaurantLarry’s Restaurant

Larry’s MenuLarry’s Menu

Points of InterestPoints of Interest

Central Fire StationCentral Fire Station Historical Marker- Located at the corner of Historical Marker- Located at the corner of

South Colony Boulevard and Blair Oaks –South Colony Boulevard and Blair Oaks –Explains The Hedgcoxe WarExplains The Hedgcoxe War

City HallCity Hall The Colony High SchoolThe Colony High School Peters Colony ElementaryPeters Colony Elementary Camey ElementaryCamey Elementary

Things to see in The ColonyThings to see in The Colony

Kids ColonyKids Colony ParadesParades SportsSports Christmas FestivalChristmas Festival Water Activities – Swimming PoolWater Activities – Swimming Pool Parks and Recreation DepartmentParks and Recreation Department