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The rich history of Bedford Road, from its beginnings as a dusty farm road, to todays reuse of the structures along its length is presented here as a view of the historical progress of our city. The "photo history" of Bedford Road contains both present day and old photos of some of the buildings along with text to give you a short history of each location. We will add additional older photos as they become available.
Bedford School
In 1914, taxpaying citizens of Bedford Common School District voted overwhelmingly to issue bonds to finance the construction of a new school on the site of the old Bedford College. When completed in 1915, the 2-story brick school was an imposing landmark and much of the heart and soul of the community was bound up in the school. The school served the community's educational needs until 1969 when it was closed because it was too small. The structure was then used as a storage and maintenance facility until ravaged by fire in 1991. Beautifully restored, the Old Bedford School is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and adaptively reused as an educational and cultural community center.
Bilger Filling Station
Ed M. and Dora Bilger opened a filling station and garage January 10, 1927, beginning 51 years of old-fashioned full automotive service, the third full service station in the northeastern quadrant of the county. Cities service and later Humble gasoline were sold. Dora Bilger worked alongside her husband in the garage and was a certified mechanic, unusual for a woman at that time. The Bilgers later built their house alongside the garage in 1930 for $1,739. It is the oldest brick home in Bedford.
Fitch General Store
and Well
Weldon Wiles Bobo (1813-1884) moved from Bedford County, Tennessee in 1870, an established a general store. Located halfway between Fort Worth and Grapevine, Bobo's store and the well beside it became a halfway station for travelers to rest. Joel Bobo owned the store, 1896-1910, then William R. Fitch, W.W. Bob's son-in-law, took it over (1910-1933. The original building was torn down and replaced in the 1920's. William turned it over to his son and daughter-in-law, Walter and Evelyn in 1933. Groceries and feed were mainstays. Fresh meat was available even during wartime rationing. The store served as a social center, post office, and the site of election. The store closed in 1963, after being in the family for 90 years.
Old Fire Station
The first fire department was formed in 1955 as a Volunteer Fire Department with one government surplus fire truck and 30 male volunteers. The department was expanded in 1958-1959 when a new fire hall, city hall and community center complex was constructed using public contributions.
Barr-Simmons Grocery
Store
James Simmons and his brother-in-law, Ralph Barr built and opened a grocery store in 1945 and were joined by their wives, Heralee and Oleta, in working there. The store operated for 33 years. Although the community received electricity in 1936, not all area farmers were served, so the store sold kerosene lamps and blocks of ice.
Bedford Road Home
This picture of a home that stood on Bedford Road is typical of those rural farm homes built in the late 1800's.
Bedford Cemetery
Pioneers may have begun using this graveyard in the 1850's or 1860's, but the earliest legible tombstone is that of Elizabeth White Bobo (1866-1871), whose parents came here in 1870 from Bedford County, Tennessee. In 1877, Milton Moore sold a five-acre tract, including this cemetery, to New Hope Church of Christ. W.L. Hurst (1833-1922), for whom the City of Hurst, Texas is named, is interred here. Many Bedford Pioneers are buried in unmarked graves. The cemetery is on the west side of the Bedford Church of Christ.
Bedford Church of
Christ
In 1874, Weldon W. Bobo, and Milton Moore drove their wagons to the lumber mills of East Texas to fetch building materials for a new church to be built on the site of Moore's farm. In 1877 Moore sold the five acres of land for $50 to the trustees of what was named the New Hope Christian Church. A tabernacle on the side of the building later served as the center for outdoor worship in warm weather as well as the site of the Old Settler's Reunions. |
