Revisiting the Past: Bridgeport Heritage Museum

The Bridgeport Heritage Museum proudly occupies the lower level of the Visitor Center. Since moving to the new location in September 2009, new exhibits have been developed to interpret the history of Bridgeport and take visitors on a visual tour of the first 100 years of the town's past.

Colorful exhibits highlight the Butterfield Overland Mail Company and Old Town Bridgeport era as well as the impact the railroad had on Bridgeport. The valuable resources beneath the earth (such as coal, natural gas, limestone and brick products) that have contributed to the livelihood of Bridgeport are also captured in vivid 3-dimensional exhibits. Interpretive exhibits also depict the importance of Lake Bridgeport and agribusiness in the area.

The museum also offers a gift shop and rotating gallery for the visitor's benefit. Admission is free and the museum is open Monday-Saturday from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Special arrangements or tours may be arranged by calling 940-683-5389.

Dig into Bridgeport's past and discover how the land has affected generations of Americans.

Dig into Bridgeport's Past

Bridgeport, a city of approximately 5,800, is located some 45 miles northwest of Fort Worth. The city had its beginnings in the mid 1800's when a toll bridge was built over the West Fork of the Trinity River to allow the Butterfield Overland Mail Company's stagecoach to cross on its way west. Soon after the bridge was constructed, a community began to spring up along the banks of the Trinity River. It is believed that the building of the toll bridge led to the naming of Bridgeport.

With the coming of the railroad, the community gradually moved eastward until the present location of Bridgeport was established. Much of the early history of Bridgeport is closely tied to the discovery of coal in the late 1800's, and mining continued well into the late 1920's. The construction of a dam across the Trinity River west of Bridgeport in 1929 resulted in the creation of beautiful Lake Bridgeport. Today the lake is a source of much enjoyment for residents of the area and visitors as well. With the discovery of oil and gas in the 1950's, Bridgeport experienced an escalation in the economy and the population. Along with the rock industry, oil and gas production remains an important factor in Bridgeport's economy today.

In 2009, the city of Bridgeport undertook renovations on a building on Halsell Street, which at various times over the past 70 years had housed the fire department, city hall, police station, and jail. Since the building is located in the historic downtown district, every effort was made to preserve the historical aspects of the building including the original tin ceiling tiles. In September 2009 the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center moved into the remodeled building at 812 A Halsell Street. A glass enclosure was added to the front of the building to house a life-size replica of a Concord stagecoach which was acquired by the community in 2007. After petitioning the Texas State Legislature in 2009, Bridgeport officially became the "Stagecoach Capital of Texas." The Visitor Center continually welcomes guests from across Texas as well as many other states and even foreign countries.