Ridglea North History
Our neighborhood is rich with history including several structures listed with the historical registrar.
Private development of our area began in the later 1930's including Ridglea, platted in 1928, although not substantially developed until a decade later. Exclusive, planned Ridglea was the product of West Side real estate developers Morris Berney and Bernie L. Anderson, who formed the Anderson Berney Building Co. (Bet you always wondered where the park got its name.)
The City of Ridglea Village?
By Bill Griewe
On May 31, 1944 an application was filed with the Honorable Clarence O. Kraft, County Judge, with satisfactory proof having been made for the incorporation of RIDGLEA VILLAGE”. Judge Kraft ordered that an election be held on June 10, 1944 at the Worth Food Market, 6100 Camp Bowie Blvd. Robert C. Pepper was appointed to preside over the election and certified the tabulation as:
102 votes for incorporation
71 votes for no incorporation
Judge Kraft ordered on June 29, 1944, “Ridglea Village has become an incorporated Village under the laws of this State”, and ordered an election in Ridglea Village for July 8, 1944, to elect a Mayor, a Marshal, and five Aldermen. On July 10, 1944, Burney Braly certified the results of the election:
Robert C. Pepper, Mayor
M.C. Buckley, Marshal
Aldermen: Truman A. Parker Jr., J.H. Stuck,
W.S. Haddock, G.F. Fermier and J.P. Krog
The boundary of Ridglea Village was Calmont on the North, Winthrop on the East, Camp Bowie on the South, and Bigham on the West.
Here is the rest of the story.
Almost concurrently the City of Fort Worth was proceeding with an ambitious annexation plan of fifteen areas including Ridglea and Ridglea North. First resolutions in City Council occurred May 24, 1944, a date to be of later importance. A notice of intention to call an election submitting certain charter amendments was published on May 25th. An ordinance ordering the election was passed on June 15, 1944, and ordered a charter amendment election on July 22, 1944 to decide the annexation issues. A Fort Worth Press article the next day quoted City Attorney Rhinehart Rouer, that only three areas had voiced objection to annexation, including Ridglea. An article in the Star-Telegram on July 23, 1944 indicated that the results of the election was closely contested. The article went on to say, “Ridglea has voted overwhelmingly to incorporate as a village. The issue of whether they will maintain village status or become a part of the City of Fort Worth likely will be decided in the courts.”
The final election results were to favor annexation of Ridglea Village by a vote of 7,869 for and 5,777 against. On July 26, 1944 the City Council in open meeting received and accepted the votes approving Ordinance 2210, including annexation of Ridglea Village.
Mr. J.A. Gooch, Attorney, and a resident of Ridglea Village prepared an action for Quo Warranto, and presented by Marvin H. Brown Jr., District Attorney, before Judge George L. Davenport. On October 9, 1944 a judgement would favor Ridglea Village, and find the City of Fort Worth without “governmental power of any character over the said territory of Ridglea Village…”. But, the City of Fort Worth excepted and objected and gave notice of appeal. Also noted is the participation as attorneys for the Relator, Mssr. Robert C. Pepper, and Burney Braly who were also residents.
Before the Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, an appeal was argued by R.E. Rouer, City Attorney and Heard L. Floor. On February 2, 1945 an opinion by Chief Justice McDonald addressed two questions. First, was the annexation proceedings in conformity with law, and secondly, were the annexation proceedings prior in point of time to the incorporation of Ridglea Village. The Court found relation to a case involving the City of San Antonio. The question of jurisdiction is to be determined by the date of the commencement and not the time of completion of the proceedings involved. Judgement of the trial court is reversed. Recall that important date of May 24, 1944. Even then, the issue wasn’t resolved, until on March 16, 1945 a rehearing was denied.
Here is a list of the homes or buildings in the RN boundaries with historical significance. Click on the small image to read about its history.
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6325 Greenway, Mason-Stegall House, c.1939.
Well suited to its corner site, this irregular V-plan house has receding wings which enclose a garden to the rear. The dwelling is a successful combination of Colonial Revival and Ranch styles. A one and one-half story saltbox, clad in shingles, the house features a framed overhang with pedants to form a cutaway entry porch. Spreading out from the main entry block are low, one-story wings clad in stone and stucco which incorporate servants' quarters and garage. E. Gilbert Mason, a decorator, owned and resided at the property prior to 1944, and may be responsible for the architectural design. Marion A. and Eugene T. Stegall, a dentist, occupied the house from 1944 to 1955. The dwelling may be eligible for the National Register for its design upon attainment of fifty years of age.