Editing Azle, Texas (section)

==History==
[[File:Azle - Silver Creek United Methodist Church - 20231030161028.jpeg|thumb|right|Silver Creek United Methodist Church]]
The first recorded settlement at the site occurred in 1846, when James Azle Steward, a young doctor, moved into a log cabin built by a [[Dutch people|Dutchman]] named Rumsfeldt. Other settlers came and established themselves near the local streams, Ash Creek, Silver Creek, and Walnut Creek. Steward helped establish the first cemetery, Ash Creek. The oldest graves there are those of Dave Morrison (1849–1874) and W. P. Gregg (1833–1874).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~txtarran/historical13.htm|title=Historical Markers in Tarrant County - pg. 13|publisher=Tarrant County TXGenWeb }}</ref> The first post office opened in 1881, and the town took the name of O'Bar, in honor of the man who obtained the postal service. A short time later in 1883, the name was changed to Azle at the request of Steward, who donated the land for a townsite.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.stoppingpoints.com/texas/sights.cgi?marker=James+Azle+Steward&cnty=tarrant
|title=James Azle Steward Historical Marker
|author=Texas State Historical Commission
}}</ref> The community's economy was based on [[agriculture]]. Several crops were grown, including [[wheat]], [[Maize|corn]], [[peanut]]s, [[sorghum]], and [[cotton]]. [[Watermelon]]s, [[cantaloupe]]s, [[peach]]es, [[plum]]s, and [[pear]]s were also produced. [[Dairy farming]] became important in the early decades of the 20th century, when local milk products were sold to [[creamery|creameries]] in Fort Worth. Azle's population grew steadily, and by 1920, the census recorded 150 residents. By 1933, State Highway 34 (later State Highway 199) had reached Azle from Fort Worth, greatly improving transportation between the town and the city. Also, [[Eagle Mountain Lake]] was formed by a dam on the [[Trinity River (Texas)|Trinity River]], east of Azle.

In the late 1930s, electricity was supplied to Azle and the surrounding countryside. The population grew between 1940 and 1960 from 800 to 2,696. It was 5,822 by 1980. After the 1930s, agriculture gradually declined; fields were converted from wheat and corn production to [[subdivision (land)|housing development]]s. [[Manufacturing]] increased, and in 1984, Azle had 26 businesses. In 1985, the population was estimated at more than 7,000. In 1990, the population was 8,868. It grew to 9,600 by 2000.<ref>Ruby Schmidt, ed., Fort Worth and Tarrant County (Fort Worth: Texas Christian University Press, 1984). Kathleen E. and Clifton R. St. Clair, eds., Little Towns of Texas (Jacksonville, Texas: Jayroe Graphic Arts, 1982).</ref>