Haltom City, located just five miles northeast of Fort Worth, has a ghost town in its historical roots. You see, Haltom City’s school district is named Birdville ISD, the scarce remains of a former 1840s-era town called Birdville. (Two churches and a cemetery make up the rest of this ghost lot.) Located to the southeast near Calloway’s Lake and the Viridian master-planned community, Birdville was named for Texas Ranger Jonathan Bird who set up a fort, per Sam Houston’s orders to defend local settlers from attack. The town grew to be the largest in Tarrant County and was named the county seat in 1849.
But as nearby Fort Worth began to grow, ambitious Fort Worth residents called a courthouse election in 1856 proposing their own town as the county seat, sparking a bitter campaign. Here’s where it gets juicy, according to Fort Worth’s city website.
“As legend has it, Birdville had a barrel of whiskey, intended for use on Election Day, but Fort Worth residents learned about it, siphoned off the liquor, took it to their town and gave it to voters,” a Fort Worth library article states. “Fort Worth won the election by a narrow margin. Jubilant residents rushed to Birdville, loaded the county records on a wagon and proceeded triumphantly to the new county seat.”
So, Fort Worth stole their whiskey and their county seat, and Birdville dwindled until it was annexed into Haltom City. So while the community is no longer, the name stuck to the local school district which serves Haltom City, North Richland Hills, Watauga, and parts of Hurst and Fort Worth.
Today, Haltom City is home to approximately 43,000 people and growing, as construction is underway for an upscale master planned community called “High Pointe” with homes from David Weekly and K. Hovnanian Homes. Here are three homes we found in Haltom City that offer a great quality of life for an amazing price point.
Address: 4404 Starlight Drive, Haltom City
- 5 bedrooms, 4 baths
- 2,847 square feet
- $350,000
A lucky buyer already snagged this great house listed by Cassie Samons of JP & Associates Realtors Justin, but it’s too cute to pass sharing with you. In front of this 1962-built midcentury home stands a beautiful massive tree that’s seen this house through the decades. Inside, a dramatic modern wrought iron staircase greets you as you look down the brick-lined hall, through the cedar paneled family room, and straight out onto the golf course. To your immediate left are the formal and dining areas made light and bright by a wall of windows. In the second living area, cedar and brick give wonderful texture to this room that overlooks the newly remodeled kitchen and the large deck. The downstairs master has a bonus room and a decadent oversized shower. Three bedrooms are upstairs with two full baths that have been updated.
See more photos of Starlight Drive here on Cassie Samons’ listing.
* * *
Address: 3953 Wisteria Lane, Haltom City
- 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
- 2,893 square feet
- $259,900
Russell Rhodes of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas has listed this neat 1997-built two-story home at a bargain of a price — $90 per square foot. With that kind of savings, you can make this spacious home all your own. Pick out some good-looking flooring, grab some paint, and find some light fixtures that you absolutely love. The spacious dine-in kitchen features granite countertops, farm sink, gas cooktop, and stainless steel appliances including oven, built-in microwave, and dishwasher. The first floor master suite has dual vanities, jetted bathtub, standalone shower, walk-in closet, and a linen closet. Plus you’ve got a fabulous backyard with a perfect grassy area to play and pergola-covered patio for grilling out any time you want.
See more photos of this Wisteria Lane home here on Russell Rhodes’ listing.
* * *
Address: 5749 Fairway Circle, Haltom City
- 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
- 1,772 square feet
- $248,500
Amy Anderson of Anderson Realty of Texas has the listing for this 1997-built home on the 4th hole of the Iron Horse Country Club golf course. This house has been beautifully updated with luxury vinyl plank flooring, designer lighting and ceiling fans, new paint, new carpet, and nickel hardware. The kitchen has freshly painted cabinets, tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances, including oven, cooktop, built-in microwave, and dishwasher. The sunroom was built to perfection with 270-degree views of the golf course and a lushly landscaped deck.
See more photos of this home on Amy Anderson’s listing here.
