We are glad you are interested in Bridgeport and hope you find it as wonderful as we do. Bridgeport is the type of community where the citizens are involved in numerous clubs and service organizations, where the entire town takes pride in our city. Making it a great place to visit or come stay for a life time. Take your time exploring this website and click on the "contact us" button if you have any more questions. We'd be happy to answer them.

 

Butterfield's Overland Mail Route & Bridgeport

The Butterfield Overland Mail Company's stagecoach southern route was built in 1859. Its first mail and passenger coach came rolling through Wise County in September of 1859 and continued to serve northern Texas until the outbreak of the Civil War in March of 1861. For the first year or so the stagecoach route was located just north of Chico, but in January of 1860, it was routed through Decatur and on to a bridge crossing over the West Fork of the Trinity River. This bridge crossing influenced the choice of "Bridgeport" as the name of the new frontier village that developed there.

Four heavily laden coaches, each pulled by a team of four horses, came through Wise County weekly… two going west and two going east. They carried mail which included personal letters, business orders, legal documents, books and newspapers. They also carried packages, hardware, boxes of goods, and passengers who each had a forty pound luggage limit. No gold or silver was freighted, therefore, no robberies occurred during its two and one-half years of operation. At stage stops the teams would be exchanged, sometimes mail and goods would be loaded or unloaded, and occasionally a passenger would get off or another would be added to the usually overcrowded coach. This stagecoach service brought not only mail and freight but a promise and measure of commerce to the area's developing cattle and farming operations.

Sometimes a stage station would have food prepared and offer a wash basin and minimal toilet facilities. But the fifteen minute respite would suddenly come to an end with the conductor's call, "All aboard!" Then off they would go in a cloud of dust with the rattle of iron tire wheels. The horses' hooves would echo on the rocks and gravel of a long and bumpy road that challenged even the most hardy.

The distant sound of the old coach horn that alerted the station master to get the teams ready has faded into the past, and a dynamic world of paved highways, airways, and swift machines has taken its place. Members of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce decided to honor the memory of the old Butterfield stage route and its role in creating the town and its name by obtaining and displaying a Concord stagecoach. The Chamber formed a stagecoach committee represented by members of the Bridgeport Historic Society, Lion's Club, Main Street Committee, and the Chamber. This committee raised funds to purchase an authentic Concord reproduction from a coach maker in Indiana. These funds were donated by many organizations, businesses, schools, individuals and community events. The purchase of this unique icon of our heritage is truly representative of the generous spirit of the people of Bridgeport.

 

Leadership: West Wise

Would you like to know more about Bridgeport and the West Wise area?
We have the class for you, taught by the best in Bridgeport.

LEADERSHIP: WEST WISE is a locally developed program based on the belief that many ordinary citizens have extraordinary potential to provide leadership in a variety of situations. It is an educational program which provides an overview of the area, including its resources and strengths, and a look at its past and future. Nine sessions (two hours each) during the school year address topics such as history, economy, education, quality of life, etc. The group tours several businesses in the area as well as places of interest.

The classes are open to adults of all ages who are interested in expanding their knowledge of the West Wise area and/or exploring opportunities of leadership in the county.

The program has also expanded to include a class of high school juniors and seniors who are exploring topics of interest about West Wise. They are made aware of the potential opportunities in the area to live and work here after they complete their educational pursuits.

For additional information, please call the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce office at 940-683-2076 or contact Ilene Enochs at 940-683-2684.

 

Education

Bridgeport Independent School District (BISD) consists of one elementary school (Pre-K - 2nd), one intermediate school (3rd - 5th), one middle school (6th - 8th), one high school (9th - 12th), and one Alternative Learning Center.

In partnership with parents and community, the BISD mission is to provide an educational environment conducive to learning for ALL students. Through a highly qualified staff, with an uncompromising commitment to high student achievement and a well-developed curriculum, students will receive a quality education, empowering them to pursue productive and fulfilling lives in an ever changing, interdependent world.

Curricular offerings include: advanced placement courses, career education, computer classes, video production and editing classes, gifted and talented programs, a variety of athletic and other extra-curricular activities, and comprehensive tutorial and remediation programs.

The City of Bridgeport has partnered with BISD to provide affordable academic-based after school programs for our students. This partnership is also providing a summer camp program, spring break programs, and various one and two day specialty camps during certain school holidays.

Founded in 2001, the Bridgeport Education Foundation acts as a support program for both students and faculty of the Bridgeport Independent School District. The foundation provides educational fund scholarships for deserving high school seniors and individual grants to teachers for innovative educational programs and materials.

 

Public Schools

	Bridgeport Intermediate 1400 E US 380 940-683-5784
	Bridgeport Middle 702 17th Street 940-683-2273
Administration Offices 2107 15th Street 940-683-5124	Bridgeport High 1 Maroon Drive 940-683-4064
Bridgeport Elementary 1408 Elementary Drive 940-683-5955	Alternative Learning Center 610 17th Street 940-683-2474

 

Youth Organizations

The young people of Bridgeport are tomorrow's leaders. To help them achieve the goal of becoming responsible adults, there are various activities and organizations that give young people and their parents an opportunity to become involved. Two of these organizations are The Bridgeport Youth Association and the Bridgeport 4-H chapter. The Bridgeport Youth Association (BYA) is made up of dedicated individuals volunteering time and energy in support of our local youth. They support youth baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer from ages 4 to 14. The generous support of Bridgeport's local citizens and businesses allows Bridgeport youth the opportunity to participate and expand their horizons. Their motto of "It's all about the Kids" provides the emphasis for what they do.

4-H is the youth development portion of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The purpose of 4-H is to provide youth the opportunity to learn, develop life skills and form attitudes enabling them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. 4-H education, recreation, recognition, tours, trips, and club and community activities help equalize opportunities and personal development of all ages. 4-H is a family affair; projects are selected with the help of parents and leaders. Please contact any of the organizations below to come volunteer or be a part of the fun.

 

Blue Star Memorial Highway

As of November 11, 2008, a stretch of Highway 114 in Bridgeport is now a part of history. On Veterans' Day a Blue Star Memorial Marker was dedicated in Harwood Park. The Bridgeport Garden Club, along with donations from individuals and civic organizations, made this dream a reality.

In 1944, the New Jersey State Council of Garden Clubs wanted to honor those who served this great nation with a special memorial. Garden Clubs are known for their ability to beautify and preserve, so it was logical that they would choose to honor our servicemen in this way. The Blue Star was taken from the blue star in the military service banner.

Blue Star Memorial Highways are a tribute to everyone who has served in the armed forces to defend the United States of America and the Constitution for which it stands.

 

Runaway Bay

Nestled along the banks of Lake Bridgeport, less then 10 miles from downtown Bridgeport, is Runaway Bay. This relaxed township of over 1200 residents is loaded with recreational advantages, which include boating, fishing, tennis, and year 'round special events. In addition to the myriad lake activities, Runaway Bay is home to The Club, which includes an 18-hole championship golf course and an elegant restaurant.

Runaway Bay is the place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, centrally located only 56 miles from DFW International Airport, 47 miles west of Denton and 73 miles southeast of Wichita Falls. Close to Runaway Bay is the Bridgeport Municipal Airport, offering 24-hour facilities.

In the summer, the city's 4thFest is a Fourth of July day-long festival of food, fun and games. One of the stalwarts of the 4thFest is the decades-old Golf Cart Parade. This summertime spectacular in Runaway Bay concludes its annual 4thFest with a regionally renowned fireworks bonanza.

The favorable climate makes Runaway Bay a great place to live and play - come see it all for yourself.