Bridgeport, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bridgeport is a city in Wise County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,309 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Education
5 Transport
6 Banking
7 Nemeses
8 References
9 External links

[edit] Geography

Bridgeport is located at 33°12′35″N, 97°45′39″W (33.209844, -97.760908)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.7 km² (3.7 mi²). 9.6 km² (3.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.54%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 5,309 people, 1,383 households, and 1,023 families residing in the city. The population density was 448.4/km² (1,161.9/mi²). There were 1,515 housing units at an average density of 157.7/km² (408.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.95% White, 2.65% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 14.67% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.20% of the population.

There were 1,383 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.40.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,016, and the median income for a family was $36,742. Males had a median income of $31,044 versus $22,204 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,335. About 12.8% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Bridgeport's history began in February of 1860 when William H. Hunt was granted a charter from the West Fork Bridge Company to build a bridge across the West Fork of the Trinity River. The bridge was located approximately one mile southwest of the present townsite. A Texas State Historical Marker alongside Farm To Market Road 920 denotes the spot of the original bridge today .

The wooden bridge was used for a portion of the Butterfield Stage overland mail route. After the American Civil War began, the mail route was no longer used and the original wooden bridge was abandoned.

In 1873 a new iron bridge was built and a post office established, thus formally creating the city of Bridgeport, TX. Its future was assured in 1882 when Charles Cates discovered a vein of bituminous coal while drilling for water. The Wise County Coal Company was formed and was a leading producer of coal for the state until competition from natural gas and petroleum closed the coal mines in 1929.

In 1893 the Rock Island Railroad established a line east of the town, so the town moved approximately one mile east to its present site. In 1913 the town was incorporated. Gas and Oil production became a local industry prior to 1917. The 1920s census showed a town of 1,872. During the 1920s, limestone quarries that produced aggregate for road construction and a brick factory were established. In 1931, a dam was constructed approximately three miles west of town on the West Fork of the Trinity River, creating Lake Bridgeport. The lake was a local center for recreation and remains so today.

During the latter half of the 20th century, Bridgeport's oil, gas, and limestone indurstries continued to flourish and the town became the second largest town in Wise County. These industries continue to be the local economic leaders.

[edit] Education

The City of Bridgeport is served by the Bridgeport Independent School District.

[edit] Transport

The city is served by Bridgeport Municipal Airport.

[edit] Banking

For almost 100 years, Bridgeport was served by the First National Bank of Bridgeport. The bank was purchased in the late 1980s by primary investors Billie C. Green, Dr. David Ray, and M.L. Manoushagian. It, however, was sold in December of 2005 to First Financial Bankshares (stock symbol FFIN) based in Abilene and became part of a six branch bank consisting of institutions in Bridgeport, Boyd, Decatur, Southlake, Keller, and Trophy Club.

[edit] Nemeses

Bridgeport is in a constant rivalry with the town of Decatur which sits 10 miles to the west on highway 380. The two high school teams battle every year in the "Battle of the Big Sandy" football game which, over the years, has been dominated by Decatur.

Bridgeport residents believe that Decatur views them as the proverbial "red headed stepchild" due to the perceived aristocratic attitude of Decatur residents. And Bridgeport residents have never forgiven Decatur for obtaining a McDonald's restaurant in the 1970s.