History
As one of the oldest communities in Dallas County, Lancaster has a captivating history interwoven with notable figures. The first settlement was made in 1844, and it soon became a thriving community that has played significant roles in education, agriculture and community development. In 1905 Lancaster ISD led the state by establishing one of the first Texas Independent School Districts.
The city also has a remarkable equestrian heritage. In the 1850s, the legendary racing horse Steel Dust was known as the fastest on the quarter mile racetrack, and went on to become Father of the American Quarter Horse.
Lancaster is also home to Cleo Hearn, founder of the Texas Black Rodeo and inductee to the National Rodeo Hall of Fame. The City has over 600 acres of public parks, nature preserves, trails, and indigenous Texas landscape.
The Lancaster, Texas town square was modeled after that of Lancaster, Kentucky which was modeled after Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The layout is rare by city planning standards, with insulation from busy cross-streets making it pedestrian friendly and perfect for events. The downtown also caught the attention of one notorious couple – the Lancaster Texas Bank was robbed by Clyde Champion Barrow in 1934.
Lancaster Dry Goods opened in the early 1880s
Cars parked downtown circa 1950
Cleo Hearn founded the Cowboys of Color Rodeo Tour, the largest multicultural rodeo in the world.
On February 27, 1934, Clyde and Raymond Hamilton (of Bonnie and Clyde fame) walked out of our downtown bank with $6,000 after forcing L.L. Henry and several customers to lie on the cold tile floor.
Tom McKnight rode Steel Dust in the famous 1855 race where he won against local favorite Monmouth in McKinney, Texas. McKnight’s descendants still ranch on a 300 acre ranch in Lancaster, TX.