Parker County was formed in 1855 and named for a settler leader

In 1855, 224 settlers petitioned the Texas Legislature to create a new county in north-central Texas. The Legislature agreed and formed Parker County from parts of Bosque and Navarro counties. The county was named for Isaac Parker, a state representative who led the effort.

Weatherford was chosen as the county seat. By 1858 it had a two-story brick courthouse surrounded by a handful of cabins and tents. The county covers 902 square miles and sits about 30 miles west of Fort Worth. Parker County is bounded by Jack, Wise, Tarrant, Hood, Johnson, and Palo Pinto counties.