The History of Haltom City, Texas
Haltom City is named for a jeweler who owned the grassland it was built on. It started as farm country near the old Birdville settlement, grew when a highway came through and pulled businesses in, and turned into a working-class suburb hugging the northeast side of Fort Worth.
Farm Country Near Birdville (Early 1900s–1932)
The area was farm country northeast of Fort Worth, near the old Birdville settlement, and the town would take its name from the Haltom family — G. W. Haltom was a Fort Worth jeweler. It was quiet farm country on the edge of Fort Worth, until the roads changed everything in the early 1930s.
The Highway and a New Name (1932–1949)
When a new highway — today's East Belknap — was built through the area in the early 1930s, businesses from nearby Birdville moved over to take advantage of the traffic, and the community around the highway slowly grew. The place organized around Haltom's land as Haltom Village in 1932 and incorporated in the 1940s, taking the Haltom City name, honoring the landowner and businessman whose grassland it had risen on. A farm community had become a city within two decades.
A Working-Class Suburb (1950s–Today)
Haltom City grew into a solidly blue-collar inner suburb of Fort Worth, packed with small businesses, manufacturers, and modest neighborhoods along the Belknap corridor. It never chased the upscale reputation of the northeast Tarrant suburbs; it stayed a practical, affordable working city.
Timeline
1900s
Farm families work the land northeast of Fort Worth, near the old Birdville settlement.
1930s
A new highway (East Belknap) is built; businesses relocate from Birdville and a new business district takes shape.
1949
The community incorporates in the 1940s (the city dates it to 1944) and takes the Haltom City name, named for landowner and jeweler G.W. Haltom.
Notable People
G.W. Haltom
Rancher and jeweler whose grassland the community grew on and for whom Haltom City is named.
FAQ: History of Haltom City
The city is named for G.W. Haltom, a rancher and jeweler who owned much of the grassland the community grew on. It incorporated in the 1940s (the city dates it to August 22, 1944) and took the Haltom City name after a 1950 consolidation with Oak Knoll.
The community was founded in 1932 as Haltom Village, on farm country near the old Birdville settlement, and was named for Fort Worth jeweler G. W. Haltom.
When a new highway — today's East Belknap Street — was built through the area in the early 1930s, businesses relocated from nearby Birdville to capture the traffic, and a new town took shape around Haltom's land.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Haltom City
Weekend trips, lakes, festivals and small-town food east of the metroplex.
A Brief History of East Texas
From Caddo settlements to the oil boom and beyond, discover how centuries of history shaped East Texas communities like Tyler, Kilgore, and Henderson.
Read Guide →Best Day Trips from Tyler and East Texas
Drive-time guide to day trips from Tyler: state parks, small towns, museums, and lakes within about 30 minutes, an hour, and up to three hours.
Read Guide →East Texas Festivals and Annual Events
Season-by-season guide to East Texas festivals and events — Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas Rose Festival, the Yamboree, Wonderland of Lights and more, checked against each host's own site.
Read Guide →East Texas State Parks Guide
Twelve East Texas state parks from TPWD: Tyler, Caddo Lake, Atlanta, Lake Bob Sandlin, Tawakoni, Purtis Creek, Cooper, Martin Dies Jr. and more. Camping, cabins and passes.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
Want Your Business Featured in Haltom City?
People are searching for businesses like yours in Haltom City. Get listed in our city guide and local directory so they can find you.