Where the past meets the present
Cedar Hill, first known as the cedar brakes, was founded around 1846 by a small group of settlers from the Peters Colony. They traveled to the Dallas area of North Texas on horseback and by ox-drawn wagon following trails beaten into existence by Indians, buffalo and explorers. They came seeking a place to build their homes, to socialize, worship and conduct business.
Attracted to the area by its lush natural beauty, the elevation and rocky slopes provided settlers a panoramic lookout and protection from intruders. The area also offered dense forests, rich Blackland soil, abundant creeks and streams, and opportunity.
Our forefathers turned this rugged territory into the thriving city it is today through hard work, ingenuity, foresight and sheer determination — a city steeped in family values, tradition and rich in history. See our page on the City of Cedar Hill website.
If you would like to join the Museum, download our membership application. The Cedar Hill Museum of History board meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in Hughes Chapel, 332 Cedar Street. All members are welcome to attend.
See our displays at the Cedar Hill Government Center, the Zula B. Wylie Library, and at the new Babe's Chicken Dinner House.
Historic Walking Tour
Take the self-guided walking tour of historic Old Town Cedar Hill. The tour is about 2.2 miles and takes about an hour...
Heritage calendar
Show your pride in our City by purchasing and displaying this calendar of historic photographs annually.
Museum being planned
Planning is underway for the Museum, to be located at the Zula B. Wylie Library. Check back for more information as it develops...
Old Town Cedar Hill Walking Tour
Take a leisurely stroll around Old Town and discover the charm and distinctive character that is Cedar Hill. Step into the Southwest Corner Gallery and imagine how it may have looked in 1932 the day Raymond Hamilton, a sidekick of notorious bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde, robbed what was then the First State Bank, and don’t forget to check out the vault. Capture the charm of The Depot House, one half of the former Cedar Hill train depot, relocated and now a residence. Take in the majestic beauty of the Robert G. Brandenburg House with its sweeping antebellum porch and stately 100-year old trees. And don't miss the two-story “Gingerbread House,” believed to be the oldest standing structure in Cedar Hill, built by Confederate Army Surgeon, Dr. Rufus Alston Roberts.
The City of Cedar Hill City Council, the Main Street Development and Preservation Board, and the Cedar Hill Museum of History recognize these properties as significant in history and architecture. We acknowledge the valued contributions to the preservation and protection of these historic resources for the education and enjoyment of future generations of Cedar Hill citizens and visitors.
The Cedar Hill Museum
The mission of the Cedar Hill Museum is to collect, preserve and protect historic and prehistoric materials relating to Cedar Hill in order to use these materials to interpret its history through exhibits, publishing materials relevant to the community’s history and conducting educational programs to benefit present and future generations. The Museum is currently housed in temporary offices, but planning is well underway for the new location of the Cedar Hill Museum of History at the Zula B. Wylie Library. Check back for more information.
