HISTORY
Westover Hills, an "ultra exclusive" residential neighborhood and incorporated city completely surrounded by Fort Worth, lies in a hilly area four and one-half miles west of the Fort Worth Central Business District. Most of it is in the John Kinder survey of 1857, the western section being in the 1873 Pete Peterson Survey.
Most of the land was owned by Amon G. Carter in the early 1920's. He sold it to the Fort Worth Extension Company who drew the first plats for development in 1928. A.C. Luther began developing the area in 1930. The general public referred to the area as "leftover hills" because they thought that anyone who wanted a magnificent residence would live in River Crest. The area was considered by some to be a wasteland, too rough and hilly to be developed properly, but Luther continued against the advice of other developers. He built his own home on Valley Ridge Road in 1936.
Discussion of annexing Westover Hills began in Fort Worth in the early 1930's. Opposition developed in 1937, and with a population of about 212 and a vote of 35 residents, it incorporated into a separate city primarily to avoid payment of Fort Worth taxes. John E. Farrell was the first mayor.
After Westover Hills incorporated as a separate city from Fort Worth, the larger city threatened to discontinue all utility service to the area. Unlike most areas outside of Fort Worth who were charged twice the normal rate for water services, Westover Hills was charged the regular rate and water mains had been in place under the area since 1928. The argument between the two cities escalated into what is known as the "water war" and eventually led Fort Worth City Council to cut off the water to Westover Hills.
Westover Hills Mayor Farrell and Tarrant County Commissioner Jack Lofland appeared within one hour at the Fort Worth City Manager's office to protest and Westover Hills residents went on a "sit down strike" during which they refused to bathe. The strike lasted three days and ended when Fort Worth turned water back on. A new Fort Worth City Council was elected shortly thereafter and agreed to charge Westover Hills the regular rate.
Mayor J. E. Farrell was one of the first to build and reside in Westover Hills. His gothic style home on Westover Road cost more than $250,000 to build in 1937. Most early residents were active in either the cattle or oil industries.
The town hall was erected in 1940 on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Mitchell, using laborers paid by the WPA, and housed the fire and police departments.
Westover Road was originally called Lloyd Drive for one of the early developers. Street paving was not completed until the end of World War II. Most Westover Hills construction was finished by the early 1940's, but building continued slowly during the 1950's and 60's west of the original lots.
NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION
Westover Hills is secluded and quiet. Its winding, tree shaded roads are bordered by large lots with mansions sometimes hidden behind walls or plantings. Most of the homes are architect-designed and custom built for the prominent families who have lived there. Styles are as varied as the architects who designed them ranging from the older Tudor and Mediterranean styles, in the older section, to more contemporary and modern styles in the newer, western part. Approximately thirty structures are listed in the Tarrant County Historic Resources Survey published by the Historic Preservation Council for Tarrant County.
SCHOOLS
Elementary
Mary Louise Phillips, 3020 Bigham, 377-7270
Middle
Wm. Monnig, 3136 Bigham, 377-7250
High School
Arlington Heights, 4501 W. Rosedale, 377-7200
OTHER INFORMATION
Nearest Fire Station: Westover Hills Town Hall, Burton Hill Road
Nearest Medical Facilities: Osteopathic Medical Center of TX, 1000 Montgomery, 735-3100
Nearest Post Office: 3301 Darcy, 336-7732
Nearest Grocery Shopping: Camp Bowie, Pope's Grocery, 2300 Merrick
Nearest Mall: Ridgmar Mall
City Council District Number: Westover Hills
School District Number: 7
Voting Precinct Number: 4115
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