1. The Colony, Texas
The City by the Lake

2. History of The Colony, Texas
First Settlers – Mildred Bridges and her sons, William and David settled on Office Creek (Just south of The Colony High School).
The settlement became known as the Bridges Settlement and was the first in Denton County.
John and Mildred Bridges began their journey to Texas from North Carolina.

3. The First Settlers
Their journey to Texas took them through Kentucky where William was born.
Then they moved to Illinois where David was born.
John, Mildred’s husband died in Illinois.
Mildred moved her sons to Texas.
Many immigrants also came to farm the rich soil in Bridges Settlement.

4. Early history of Denton County
Others moved to what is now Lewisville, but at that time it was called Holford’s Pairie Settlement.
Trouble Comes – About 1853, trouble arrived. The Land Settlement Company sent a man named Henry Hedgcoxe to establish rules, which angered the settlers.
Hedgcoxe ran away and the settlers burned his surveyor’s office.

5. First Cabin in The Colony

6. The Hedgcoxe War
The burning of the surveyor’s office caused confusion when papers showing ownership of the land could not be found.
This became known as the “Hedgcoxe War”.
The colonists appointed a man named Willis Stewart to work out an agreement with the General Land Office in Austin.

7. Homestead Law
The result of Mr. Stewart’s action was the world’s first complete homestead law, which became a model for much of the country.
Stewart’s Peninsula got it’s name from this man, Willis Stewart.

8. Mildred Bridges

9. Bridges Cemetery
The Colony, Tx

11. Dream City, The Colony
In 1969, Fox and Jacobs bought the land for The Colony. Some of the land was purchased from descendants of the original settlers.
The land was developed as the “Dream City” of Dave Fox.
MUD No. 1 was the first thing built in The Colony.

12. Starting The Colony
This building was called Office Creek Pump Station, and was built to provide water to the houses.
The Fox and Jacobs Company bought 2000 acres and started building houses.
People moved into the first house in 1974.
The citizens needed fire and police protection, so they decided to become a city.

13. Started to Grow In 1977 the city was incorporated as “The Colony”.
Luis Guerrero was elected the first mayor.
At that time Fox and Jacobs Company was building an average of 100 homes per
month.
The Colony is still growing today.

15. The Logo for The Colony

16. Early Businesses in The Colony
Larry’s Restaurant
The Colony Animal Clinic
Stop and Go

17. Larry’s Restaurant

18. Larry’s Menu

19. Points of Interest Central Fire Station
Historical Marker- Located at the corner of South Colony Boulevard and Blair Oaks –Explains The Hedgcoxe War
City Hall
The Colony High School
Peters Colony Elementary
Camey Elementary

20. Things to see in The Colony
Kids Colony
Parades
Sports
Christmas Festival
Water Activities – Swimming Pool
Parks and Recreation Department