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History/Profile

North Richland Hills began when W.S. Peters agreed to bring 600 families into the area within a
three year period as part of a land grant. The families began arriving in the summer of 1848. In
1849 Tarrant County was established and named for General Edward H. Tarrant. The area later
known as North Richland Hills was predominantly dairy farms.

In 1953 the North Richland Hills Civic League sought to have the area annexed to Richland Hills,
but voted to form their own city when annexation was denied. An election was held, and 268 acres
of Jones farm, with a population of 500, became officially incorporated as the City of North
Richland Hills. By 1957, the North Richland Hills’ boundary was within two miles of Smithfield. By
1960, Smithfield was annexed by North Richland Hills.

North Richland Hills operates under a Charter adopted in 1964 which provides for a “Council-
Manager” form of government. The Mayor and seven Council members are elected at large. The
City Council is responsible for all policy matters. The Council has the authority to levy taxes,
secure revenues, authorize expenditures of City funds, and incur debt. The City Manager is
directly responsible to the City Council.

On July 6, 1996, the City Council passed an ordinance forming a Historical Committee. This
committee had the task of publishing a written history of the City, producing a videotaped history,
and making recommendations for the preservation of history for the City of North Richland Hills.
The book was published October, 1998.
For further information about the City of North Richland Hills, please visit the City’s website at
www.nrhtx.com.

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