Weatherford

As the saying goes, the West starts in Fort Worth. By the time it reaches Weatherford — the Cutting Horse Capital of the World — it’s definitely in full swing. Here, breeders, professional trainers, and hall-of-fame horses keep Weatherford’s western heritage very much alive. A trip to Weatherford — where part of the 1883 series was filmed — is a trip to the heart of cowboy country. It’s also a place to discover the history, natural beauty, and true spirit of Texas.

Located 20 minutes west of the DFW Metroplex, this historic city was incorporated in 1858 and named for Thomas Jefferson Weatherford. He was a state senator who co-authored a bill establishing Parker County. From its early days, Weatherford was an important commercial hub for the surrounding ranchers and cowboys. Several of them — Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving, and Bose Ikard — inspired Larry McMurty’s characters in Lonesome Dove. The Doss Heritage and Culture Center in downtown Weatherford tells their story, as well as that of the area’s Indigenous People and early settlers.

The Doss Heritage and Culture Center also remembers Hollywood and Broadway star Mary Martin and her son, TV star Larry Hegman. As you explore Weatherford’s historic downtown on a self-guided driving tour, you’ll not only pass their home, but also more than 60 grand Queen Anne, Victorian, and Greek Revival mansions from yesteryear.

Thanks to these homes and a well-preserved downtown, Weatherford’s city center is a National Historic District. The ornate Second Empire-design courthouse stands as the centerpiece and serves as a delightful backdrop to the annual Parker County Peach Festival. Boutiques, antique shops housed in 1800s buildings, eateries, and museums make downtown a destination unto itself. When it’s time for a break, Chandor Gardens is a lovely downtown oasis that combines an English garden with Chinese architecture. Artist Douglas Chandor, whose portraits of Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill hang in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, envisioned and created this masterpiece.

At the nearby Heritage Park, you’ll find one of Texas’s oldest outdoor markets. First Monday Trade Days — which take place the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the first Monday of the month — buzzes with vendors selling just about everything under the sun. You’ll find everything from farm-fresh produce and homemade preserves to artisan jewelry and vintage trinkets. 

If fun under the sun is on your itinerary, Weatherford’s city parks, award-winning Canyon West Golf Course, and 100-acre mountain biking and hiking area will not disappoint. Nor will Lake Weatherford. Just minutes from downtown, the picturesque lake is a mecca for fishing, boating, and bird watching enthusiasts. Take a walk on the floating boardwalk while you’re there. It’s the longest one in the U.S.!  

Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a couple’s getaway, or a gal pals weekend, head to Weatherford and enjoy the true spirit of Texas.