Keller city limits v2

The 1969 Annexations

Three key months that shaped the City of Keller

By Mark Dumas

Keller City Limits Prior to ORD. No. 7 April 17, 1959

ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

Keller –1959(White area indicates 2010 city limits)

Early 1960’s Annexations


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

Little progress is made in Keller between 1959 and 1968 as Hurst, Southlake, North Richland Hills, Bedford & Colleyville are growing towards the city.

Hurst Blocks the EastORD No. 306 (Jul 27, 1965)

Hurst annexes a 50’ strip to block Keller, NRH, Colleyville, Bedford and Southlake. Prior Ord No. 184 (Feb 14, 1961) annexed 50’ strip up Precinct Line Road and Davis Blvd.


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

The Need to Annex• In 1968, newly appointed Councilman Allen Dumas started

studying annexation rules because the city would need tax money to support newly created departments (police, city courts, inspectors, maintenance, etc.)

• Keller was a “General Rule” city. To annex, the property owners had to petition the city and the limit was ½ mile at a time.

• Annexation to the north was not an option. As a “General Rule” city, landowners had to petition the city. With no apparent threat of annexation from other cities, the landowners had no incentive to join Keller.

• Annexation east would be a challenge due to Hurst’s Ordinance No. 306 from 1965. This ordinance annexed a 50’ strip of land adjacent to the existing eastern boundary line of Keller (Keller-Smithfield Road).

• After learning of Hurst’s intentions, Bandit trail residents wanted to discuss with the city council about coming into Keller.

• Mayor Billy Henderson asked Councilman Allen Dumas to meet with them since he was studying annexation procedures.

• The Bandit trail group scheduled a meeting at 9-acres. Their Lawyer was present and trying to convince the group to start a new city.

• Councilman Dumas convinced them that no city would allow them to create a city within their extra-territorial boundaries, and also convinced them that they would have a bigger voice in Keller than Hurst.

• The outcome of this meeting was that the group would petition to come to Keller.

The Need to Annex• Knowing Hurst’s strip violated the extra territorial jurisdiction of

Fort Worth, a meeting was arranged with Fort Worth. During this meeting, it was agreed that Keller would not annex West of the railroad tracks, and Fort Worth would not annex east of the tracks.

• Fort Worth also agreed to challenge Hurst’s annexation if needed. This would allow Councilman Dumas to continue.

• Keller did not have money to pay a surveyor, but the properties and roads were conveniently ½ mile apart which allowed Councilman Dumas to create the needed ordinances by himself.

• The first annexation was written by Councilman Dumas and approved by the City Council in January 1969.

• A total of five annexations were written by Councilman Dumas and executed by the end of March 1969.

• For each annexation, the petitions were gathered door-to-door by the highly motivated Bandit Trail volunteers.

• These annexations more than doubled the size of Keller, and paved the way for Keller to become a “Home Rule” city and expand North.

The Goal: Bandit Trail

Bandit Trail


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

The Plan

This is the original plan drafted by Councilman Dumas. The plan was for 6 annexations based on the known boundaries of neighboring cities.

Ordinance No. 58January 20, 1969

ORD. No. 42May 1968

Green Valley Raceway


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

Ordinance No. 61February 3, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969



ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

Ordinance No. 62

• These are Councilman Dumas’s agenda notes for the February 3rd City Council meeting.

• On these notes, he identifies that NRH Ordinance No. 240 contains common ground as Keller Ordinance No. 62.

• The notes state “We must have special meeting Sat. or Richland Hills will have the second reading the following Monday”.

• The notes also state “Last !!!!”, indicating that this should be discussed at the END of the meeting.

Ordinance No. 62Special Meeting February 8, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 61Feb 3, 1969

ORD. No. 61Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969


Ordinance approved 2 days before NRH, and part of Green Valley Raceway obtained.


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

NRH Ord. No. 240February 10, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 61Feb 3, 1969

ORD. No. 61Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969



ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

Although Keller Ordinance No. 62 contains a portion of Green Valley, NRH gets to the remainder of Green Valley 1 week before Keller Ordinance No. 63.

Ordinance No. 63February 17, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 61Feb 3, 1969

ORD. No. 61Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969


ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

Ordinance No. 64March 3, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 61Feb 3, 1969

ORD. No. 61Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969


ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 63Feb 17, 1969

ORD. No. 63Feb 17, 1969 ORD. No. 64

Mar 3, 1969


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

Bandit Trail is annexed into the City of Keller.

1969 Annexations(Overall)


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 61Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 61Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 63Feb 17, 1969

ORD. No. 63Feb 17, 1969 ORD. No. 64

Mar 3, 1969

These annexations over a 3 month period increased the size of Keller by more than 2.5 times

• Ratcliff & Southlake vs. City of Hurst– Cause 50687C

• Tarrant County – 48th Judicial District• November 1967• Claiming Hurst Ordinances 184 & 306 should be null

and void.• March 1970 – conclusion that these ordinances are

valid

– 17126• Court of Civil Appeals for the 2nd Supreme Judicial

District of Texas• Opinion Jun 1970 – ordinances are valid with the

exception of area defined in Exhibit B.• Opinion Sep 1970 – On a motion for rehearing, the

previous opinion was withdrawn. The Judgment is reversed and declares the Ordinances void.

• NRH & Hurst vs. City of Keller– Cause 96-166-70

• NRH & Hurst vs. Keller (initiated by Hurst)• 96th Judicial District court of Tarrant County• Filed January 16, 1970• August 1971 filing – based on the prior decision of the

Fort Worth Court of Civil Appeals, and in view of the fact that the Supreme Court of Texas has held Hurst’s Ordinances No. 184 and 306 void, the City of Hurst removes themselves from the Cause.

• Judgment October 12, 1971 – Southeastern Boundaries agreed.

Related Lawsuits

Hurst/NRH vs CoK(Cause 96-166-70, Jan 1970 to Oct 1971)

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 61Feb 3, 1969

ORD. No. 61Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 63Feb 17, 1969

ORD. No. 63Feb 17, 1969 ORD. No. 64

Mar 3, 1969

Judgment Setting City Boundary Cause 96-166-70

Oct 12, 1971


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

Southlake Release(ORDINANCE NO. 99, April 17, 1972)

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 61Feb 3, 1969

ORD. No. 61Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 58Jan 20, 1969

ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 62Feb 8, 1969

ORD. No. 63Feb 17, 1969

ORD. No. 63Feb 17, 1969 ORD. No. 64

Mar 3, 1969

Judgment Setting City Boundary Cause 96-166-70

Oct 12, 1971


ORD. No. 11Mar 2, 1959

ORD. No. 12Apr 15, 1959

ORD. No. 13May 21, 1959

OR

D. N

o. 3

1, F

eb 2

6, 1

965

&O

RD

. No.

32,

Mar

1, 1

965

ORD. No. 9Jun 19, 1958

ORD. No. 8Apr 28, 1958

OR

D. N

o. 7

Apr

17,

195

8

ORD. No. 15Oct 15, 1959

ORD. No. 21Sep 22, 1961

ORD. No. 22Oct 19, 1961

ORD. No. 99Apr 17, 1972

Releasing to Southlake

Business

Keller city limits v2