Can you imagine a town almost disappearing? Westlake, Texas, nearly vanished from the map. This affluent town, nestled in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, has a history as dramatic as a Texan rodeo. Westlake wasn’t always the “most affluent community” lauded by Forbes. It began humbly in 1847 with Charles and Matilda Medlin and a handful of families. It later became Circle T Ranch, owned by J. Glenn Turner. When it incorporated in 1954, they couldn’t use their first choice, “Southlake,” because another town already had that name.
Westlake’s story took a wild turn in the late 1990s. The town council attempted to disband Westlake. Large portions, including the Solana development, were annexed by neighboring Southlake and Fort Worth. Imagine this town practically dissolving before its residents’ eyes. A legal battle ensued, and a judge ruled the annexations illegal, returning the land to Westlake. This struggle even caught the attention of the national radio program “This American Life,” which featured Westlake’s battle against development pressures in 2000.
Today, Westlake is a premier knowledge-based community. It boasts corporate campuses for giants like Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab, and Deloitte University. Deloitte University’s impressive 727,000-square-foot campus is a testament to Westlake’s modern identity. Picture employees from around the world gathering here for training and leadership development. The town is also home to Solana, a distinctive business park designed by renowned architect Ricardo Legorreta. Solana houses numerous businesses, adding another dimension to Westlake’s vibrant landscape.
Interestingly, Westlake contracts its police force from the City of Keller. However, Westlake proudly maintains its own Fire-EMS services. This town, once on the brink of extinction, is now a thriving community with a colorful past. Westlake stands as a reminder that even in the face of enormous challenges, a town can reinvent itself and thrive. It has transformed from a quiet ranch settlement to a bustling hub of finance and technology, truly embodying its motto, “Distinctive by Design.”