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HISTORY

1874
The Town of Westlake was settled by Charles and
Matilda Medlin when they arrived in the area with
about 20 other families in 1847. They initially settled
along Denton Creek but moved south to higher ground
after weathering ferocious floods from the creek. Until
1997, the three-story Medlin barn was a local historic
landmark. When it had to be removed, after what was
believed to be 130 years of use, for safety concerns.
Legends include those of Sam Bass and Bonnie and
Clyde hiding in the barn.

Dove Road was the cardinal road between Grapevine
1930s
and Roanoke. The road took its name from the Dove
In the late 1930s, Ted Dealey, turned his attention to a
Community which was located between the two towns.
lush and untouched piece of the Cross Timbers region. It
Dove Road originated in the 1870’s and got its name
was there he built a stunning country place designed by from the Lonesome Dove Baptist Church located in the
prominent architect, Charles Dahlbeck. This place was
known as the 220 Ranch. The Dealey Home, which has 1940s – 1950s
been relocated to a new location off Dove Road, is now It was late in the 1940’s after World War II, at about the
known as Paigebrooke Farm. same time that Dealey built his home, that Circle T Ranch
had its beginnings with J. Glenn Turner. He used the
place to raise and train Tennessee Walking horses, and
as a retreat and showplace. Circle T Ranch was expanded
throughout the 1950’s to approximately 2,300 acres.

In 1955, there were rumors of an attempt to annex Circle
T Ranch; as a defensive move, J Glenn Turner organized
the neighboring ranches and homeowners in the
surrounding community into forming their own city.

On the 27th day of December in1956, citizens attended
a meeting to declare the Town of Westlake into existence
thru incorporation and to swear in the first Board of
Aldermen. The area included what is known today as
Westlake, plus the area north, to the northern shore of
Denton Creek. This northern land was annexed from
Westlake and formed the town of Trophy Club in the
1970’s. The Town of Westlake has changed much since
its original incorporation in 1956. During the early years,
our mayor and board members met to discuss town
business in the comfort of each other’s living rooms – an
interesting contrast to how our town operates today.

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