In 1849, the U.S. Army built Fort Worth to establish a line of defense against Indian raids and to protect Indian lands from settlement. By 1855, farms, ranches, and small settlements dotted eastern Parker County, and the frontier had pushed into hunting lands long inhabited by Comanche and Kiowa tribes. By 1856, settlement had advanced enough for Parker County to be created. When the Texas and Pacific Railroad laid tracks in 1879, the community that became Aledo was established. It was first known as Parker Station, then renamed in 1882 for Aledo, Illinois, the hometown of a railroad official. By the beginning of the 20th century, Aledo had become the commercial center of east Parker County, with business development near the train station and along north and south Front Streets, and two water-powered mills operated nearby. In the 1920s, the transcontinental Bankhead Highway bypassed downtown Aledo, though that route now forms the northern boundary of the future city limits. By 1960, Aledo was growing as engineers and professionals from the bomber plant in Fort Worth sought life in a small community. On May 8, 1963, Aledo was incorporated as a city with 550 residents. Its initial city government included Mayor Robert Daugherty and commissioners Felix Reynolds and Joe Whitmire, while Jack Holt and Dub Bearden were principal promoters of city recognition. Since then, Aledo has continued to grow and prosper.