On July 4, 1855, on the fringe of the Texas Cross Timbers frontier, John M. Stephen and George B. Erath completed the survey of the Stephenville city square. Stephenville quickly became a prosperous settlement and a center for cattle raising, cotton production, and most recently dairy production. Styled today as the "City of Champions," "Cowboy Capital of the World," and the "Dairy Capital of Texas," Stephenville has a colorful 155-year history. The evolution from cattle ranching to dairy farming finds delightful expression on the original town square where Moo-la--a life-size fiberglass Holstein milk cow--celebrates Stephenville's agricultural achievements. "The 'Ville" has produced football heroes such as 1938 NFL Champion New York Giants fullback Hugh Wolfe and 2010 Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb and rodeo champions Whit Keeney, Tuff Hedeman, and "King of the Cowboys" Ty Murray. Music celebrities Lee Roy Parnell, Johnny Duncan, Larry Joe Taylor, and Jewel have also called Stephenville home.
