Information about Azle |  History of Azle community, Texas | Click here to see Y2K Demographics
Azle Area Attractions

History of Azle

Prior to the advent of modern Americans, the area was in an oak woods now known as the Cross Timbers Short Oak region.  Comanche "Indians" (Native Americans) were the principal inhabitants of the area, and were known to trade with as well as attack the American settlers who began moving into the area in the mid and late 1800s.

Dr. Azle Stewart had moved into an existing cabin in the area in 1846, but the town was called O'bar for one of the original inhabitants here who was instrumental in getting the first post office for the town.  However, Dr. Azle Stewart donated land for the founding of the city, and the name was changed to Azle in his honor in the 1880s.  Dr Stewart is responsible for the name of Stewart Street, also, which is a main thoroughfare crossroad for Azle Main Street and Texas Highway 199.

Azle's agricultural industry was based on grain crops, and by the early 1900s had evolved to form one of the primary dairy industries supplying the region.  Horse and cattle ranching were also prevalent, and some of the family farms remain in the area today. In the 1930s Eagle Mountain Lake had been built on the Trinity River adjacent to Azle.   By 1965 Texas Highway 199 had extended through Azle, bringing more traffic, commerce and suburban settlers, and began a significant transition.  During the 1970s, oil pump jacks dotted the Azle landscape, and

Azle Main Street was established parallel to a segment of Ash Creek.  Azle was originally an agricultural community, appealing to farmers and ranchers. 
 

Online historical articles involving Azle, Texas:

Azle Local History

Vanished Towns around Azle, Texas
Kiowas Attack Azle Area (1867)

Azle Crime History

Texas Rangers Pursue Gangsters in Azle, 1957
Murdered Texas Ranger buried in Azle 1978
Unsolved Murder near Azle in 1985:  the Hilltop RV Park Bombing
Thieves come to Azle to steal equipment, 2005

Modern Azle

As of the Census in 2002, the City of Azle has a population of 9,958 and growing.  The market area is many thousands more as much of the region surrounding Azle remains unincorporated, with a moderately dense population, as well as surrounding under-developed communities such as Reno, Sanctuary, Briar, Peden, Pelican Bay, and so on.  Although some agricultural endeavors continue as do a nice array of industrial and commercial enterprises, Azle has become more of a bedroom or residential community. Most residents of Azle are employed in nearby Fort Worth and other cities. The encroachment of the suburban lifestyle has both enriched and annoyed the rural culture from which Azle has emerged. 

Azle is now known as "the gateway to Eagle Mountain Lake" and aspires to attract boaters and beach visitors with two lake front parks open to the public.  With numerous churches, Azle demonstrates a rich spiritual environment, with many activities and efforts to care for the citizens in need.  The active Azle Youth Association (AYA) provides many sporting activities for Azle's teenagers, in addition to the many opportunities to be involved in the extracurricular activities in the Azle ISD schools.  The city also features the popular Crosstimbers Golf Course.

Ongoing live entertainment in Azle includes the Popcorn Players theater, and the Azle Opry Bluegrass Jam.  Seasonal events such as September's Azle Jamboree (also known as the Jumping Jack Jamboree and the Jackass Jamboree) provide for an excellent selection of performances, as well as a friendly social environment.

The shopper in Azle will find a nice variety of opportunities, from the coming Super Walmart, to many specialty shops, western wear and popular clothing establishments, discount stores, grocery stores, hardware and auto parts stores.  To add to the shopper's experience, Azle is conveniently near Fort Worth, and several large shopping malls.

The school district mascot for Azle is the Hornet (named "Buzzy").  The Azle Hornets athletic teams include football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, cross country, track and field and more.   The team colors are Green and White, sometimes trimmed in gold or black.

The Azle Independent School District features a recently renovated and expanded high school, two junior high schools and several elementary schools, and bus service.

Getting involved in Azle!

For the newcomer and established resident alike, Azle provides for many opportunities to participate in the community.  There are numerous area organizations (optimist clubs, rotary clubs, library, pets, home school, boating, amateur radio).  Citizens are invited and encouraged to participate in the city government by volunteering to serve on the variety of boards and committees. 

There are also some special projects that call for citizen participation.  City clean up days are often held, and prove to be social events as well as functional.  There is the Ash Creek Park project which is accepting donations of time, services and money and in pursuit of a matching-funds grant to convert the tangled woods and neglected creek area south of Main Street into a beautiful extended city park.  The amazing Azle Library has a project going to construct a new much larger facility adjacent to the proposed Ash Creek Park.  The Azle Ministerial Alliance has established the Community Caring Center which provides relief to under privileged or needy people, such as victims of local calamity.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Ruby Schmidt, ed., Fort Worth and Tarrant County (Fort Worth: Texas Christian University Press, 1984). Kathleen E. and Clifton R. St. Clair, eds., Little Towns of Texas (Jacksonville, Texas: Jayroe Graphic Arts, 1982).   Beatrice Carter, The Double Log Cabin.
Azle Historical Museum.

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Silver Creek Community Auxiliary

Tri-County Amateur Radio Club




Ash Creek Baptist Church


North-West Crush Girls Soccer Team

Bike Azle
Azle Bicycle Group