Founded in 1856, Stephenville is home to Tarleton State University with over 10,000 enrolled students and 844 employees. Stephenville is located about 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Texas. Agriculture is Stephenville's leading industry, with manufacturing firms, education, retail, and health care services not far behind. The city was named after John M. Stephen who arrived in the area in 1854 and was one of the earliest settlers. By 1858, when the community had prospered, frequent Comanche raids made people's lives miserable. The population also decreased to approximately 300 in 1871. Following the American Civil War, however, the town grew steadily as a center for livestock production and agriculture. Stephenville was finally incorporated in 1889.
You couldn’t be in the cowboy capital without clocking in some time on horseback and The Hideaway Ranch Horseback Riding caters to both knowledgeable and beginner riders. See for yourself what 19th century Stephenville was like at the Stephenville Historical House Museum. On these three acres adjacent to the Bosque River, you’ll see 12 nineteenth century structures furnished with period furniture and artifacts. Buildings include several log cabins held together with mud, a ranch house owned by John Tarleton (founder of Tarleton State University), a rock cottage, a two-story Victorian house, a chapel, and a school house. There's even a two-hole outhouse! And there is The Berry Cottage is the oldest house in Stephenville with its steeply pitched roof and narrow shuttered windows. Stephenville has several parks you can play ball, hike or picnic, including Stephenville City Park and Stephenville Optimist/Jaycee Park.
If you want a park with a historical bent, there’s Wright Historical Park in Dublin, Texas, which is home to the Miller Grist Flour Mill which was operational in the mid-1800s and the Turnbow-Barbee log cabin built by early settlers. Pittman Lake is a paradise for those interested in watersports or fishing. Stephenville Higher Education facilities include Tarrant County College, Texas Wesleyan University and the University of Texas at Arlington. While you’re enjoying this historic city’s many virtues, you’ll have accommodations waiting to fulfill all of your travel needs when you stay at one of our Choice Hotels in Stephenville, TX. Book a room online now!