Lancaster

About Lancaster

Lancaster is a flourishing suburb in northeast Dallas County, about 15 miles south of Dallas. It's one of the Best Southwest suburbs, a group that also includes DeSoto, Cedar Hill and Duncanville. As one of the oldest settlements in Dallas County, Lancaster is home to many historical points of interest.

The History of Lancaster

Lancaster was founded by a Kentucky man named A Bledsoe (generally said to have gone by the first name A,but sometimes referred to as Abram or Albert). Bledsoe arrived in the area in the 1850s, surveyed the land and staked off the town in 1852. The widow of one of the area's early landowners, Roderick Rawlins, sold Bledsoe 430 acres of land, and Bledsoe got to work creating the town he envisioned.

He modeled it after his hometown of Lancaster, Kentucky, incorporating a town square that was connected to streets on the center of each of its sides rather than its corners. In 1853, he began the process of selling off lots in his new town, with most of the land going to people from the nearby settlement of Pleasant Run. In 1857, the town's official plat was filed with the county.

Living in Lancaster

Lancaster has grown at an impressive rate in recent years, drawing people with its convenient location and welcoming community. The town's growing popularity has also brought an increase in business, which has the benefit of providing both amenities and jobs for locals. Grocery stores, coffee shops and health care facilities are all plentiful throughout Lancaster.

There are also recreational opportunities all throughout the city, including a 170-acre community park and a 60,000-square-foot recreation center. Lancaster Community Park features a large pond with a fishing pier, athletic fields, hiking trails and a children's playground, and also hosts the town's library, senior center and recreation center. Two major nature preserves in Lancaster are Bear Creek Nature Park and the Ten Mile Creek Preserve. There, you can explore walking trails, a fishing pond, picnic areas and a butterfly garden.

Lancaster Schools

Schools in Lancaster are part of Lancaster Independent School District. In addition to the district's elementary, middle and high schools, there's also a STEM Learning Center and an alternative school in the area. There are a few private and charter school options in Lancaster as well.

Resources for Moving to Lancaster

Here are a few helpful resources to make your move to Lancaster as easy as possible:

• Utilities: The city of Lancaster manages distribution and billing of water services. Like most Texas communities, Lancaster provides the opportunity to choose your own energy company from a handful of private companies, so you can shop around for the best rates for you.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recycling are collected on a weekly basis, using city-supplied roll-out carts. Bulky items can be put out for collection every other month.
• Transportation: Lancaster is not part of the DART transit system that serves most of the Dallas area. However, the nearby Cedar Valley College has a DART bus stop that you can utilize when necessary.

Lancaster Housing

Homes in Lancaster are very affordable, with a median price that's quite a bit lower than the national average. As the town grows, demand for housing has increased, driving prices upward. This can be good news if you're hoping to make a profitable long-term investment, but can be a challenge in that it creates a somewhat competitive market. However, you'll find a range of housing options to choose from, making it easier to choose something that fits your budget and needs.