The first settlement around what would become Euless began with the building of Bird's Fort in 1841. The city itself draws its name from Elisha Adam and Julia Euless who built a home and cotton gin there in 1881, triggering an expansion of the population. Locals gave Euless credit for that and named the community after him.
Euless has since grown from a population of 25 in 1915 to an estimated population of 51,500 in 2012. Similar to Grapevine, local officials have sought to preserve its history through renovation of buildings such as Fuller House - the first brick house in Euless - as a museum and a log cabin dating from the 1850s, the Himes Log House. The restored buildings are located in Heritage Park.
Ken Olmstead's job brought him to North Texas in 1984. He and his wife, Sally, first looked at Arlington for housing but soon switched their search to the H-E-B area.
"We liked the area very much and bought a house in Euless," he said. "The house, the price and the location fit us much better than Arlington.Within one year, Sally and I took advantage of our new home in Euless and opened our own business."
The city prides itself on its trees and received a Tree City USA award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program 2012. In 2001, Euless was awarded The Sterling Award, a designation awarded to communities that have participated in the Tree City USA Growth Award program for 10 years.
Euless hosts an annual Arbor Daze festival that has received two international awards from the International Festivals and Events Association and the Best Arbor Daze Festival in the nation from the Arbor Day Foundation.
"This moniker - Tree City USA - is a chosen symbol for our community," Olmstead said. "It has been very beneficial inan important way that has affected our lifestyle.There are many large shady oaks in this area.They are resilient to the heat of summer and give the residents relief, so much so that we takethem for granted.Our city wishes to ensure these bulwarks endure, so we have a festival in late spring that celebrates their role as a shield from thesummer heat.Everyone looks forward to this festival, and the city gives away new seedlings.Ourcitywill alwayshave new tree growth."
People growth, too, until the land runs out.
"Euless, and all of Texas, has a very strong business climate.Its educational opportunities are unlimited.We have enjoyed these favorable circumstances and believe thisis the place for our children and grandchildren," Olmstead said. "We have a small community atmosphere locatedbetween two big cities and all of their amenities.This means a very broad range of benefits."
