The City of River Oaks is located in a naturally wooded area defined by the meandering course of the West Fork of the Trinity River, just downstream from Lake Worth. The name of the city celebrates these natural features of the landscape by reminding residents of the many mature oak trees throughout the city and the close proximity of the Trinity River corridor and the recreational amenities of Lake Worth.
The City of River Oaks is approximately 1.9 square miles in area (1,216 acres) on the west side of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in North Central Texas. River Oaks is a suburban city but is located within the five-mile radius loop defined by Interstate Loop 820 around Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas. It is completely surrounded by long-developed areas of the City of Fort Worth and the City of Sansom Park (north). The city limits are set since there is no extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) or unincorporated territory for expansion of the city limits.
HISTORY
In 1941, the voters unanimously approved incorporating as a village. Since the area incorporated was not located entirely in "the Castleberry area," the village was named for the river and oak trees and became River Oaks Village. On May 7, 1946, the Board of Aldermen changed the name to the City of River Oaks. The City Charter was officially enacted on January 11, 1949.
In 1942, the Army Air Force constructed and operated Tarrant Field Air Dome adjacent to the newly built Consolidated Aircraft Corporation's B-24 "Liberator" bomber manufacturing facility known today as Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems. Early in the 1950's, the field became a part of the Strategic Air Command and was renamed Carswell Air Force Base, which remained in operation for over 40 years. In 1994, Carswell was designated as a Joint Reserve Base to be shared by the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Texas National Guard. Over the years, River Oaks has been a prime location for base personnel to locate.
The first year that River Oaks appeared in the US Census was 1950, with a population of 7,097. The current and future population of the city is estimated at 7,000. The population of River Oaks has varied only slightly over the years, but the population of Tarrant County has continued to grow. As the number of residents in the city has remained stable, the relationship of the local community to the overall "Fort Worth area" has changed from approximately 2% of the total Tarrant County population to approximately one-third of a percent of the total. This growth pattern emphasizes the need for River Oaks to maintain its only identity and distinguish itself as unique and different from other suburban cities.
The city of Sansom Park Village is a residential community on State Highway 199 five miles west of Fort Worth in west central Tarrant County. It developed when the area was subdivided by the Rosen Heights Land Company in the 1920s. During the 1930s the construction of Jacksboro Highway increased the number of businesses and residents in the area. With the construction of military facilities during World War II and the addition of defense contractors after the war, the population grew to more than 1,000.
On March 22, 1949 fifty five people unanimously elected to incorporate. As a result of this election, Sansom Park Village was officially incorporated on March 24, 1949 under the guidance of Gus Brown, the Tarrant County Judge.
The City of Sansom Park Village is located on the former Sansom Ranch. Marion Sansom was a land and cattle baron in the early 1900's. The ranch consisted of about 7,000 acres. Today this area includes the Marine Creek Valley, Sansom Park, Inspiration Point, a large part of the land surrounding Boat Club Road and the property where Tarrant County College Northwest now sits. The ranch was home to four generations of Sansoms. Fred Korth, a descendant, was Assistant Secretary of the Army under President Harry Truman. His children Nina Marie and Fritz Allen have streets named after them. Sansom Park Village has a colorful past of cattle drives to the stockyards, gangsters and gamblers along Highway 199 and the Wilfong Fireworks explosion. Also, colorful council meetings, referred to as Thursday night fights, have become urban legends and have lead the city to a brighter future.
The city has adopted a new Comprehensive Land Use Plan to insure quality and orderly development for its future. This plan includes the final phase of improving streets and upgrading its current water system with a new water tower. It also includes aggressively pursuing a new initiative to redevelop and beautify the commercial corridor along Jacksboro Highway by partnering with Chesapeake. This plan will revitalize the City in the near future, while being mindful of its citizens. The city participates in programs designed to help its citizens including a food bank to those who qualify, the Neighbors helping Neighbors program, monthly crime watch meetings and Tickets for tots at Christmas.
Sansom Park has come a long way from the days of cattle drives, gangsters and gamblers. The city is proud of the progress it has made and now it's a "NEW DAY IN THE PARK!"