Birdville, named for pioneer Jonathan Bird, became the first seat of Tarrant County in 1851 and held that position until 1856, when an election moved the county seat to Fort Worth. On Birdville Hill, Professor William E. Hudson operated Birdville Academy, which opened in 1858 and drew students from Tarrant, Dallas, Parker, and Denton Counties. The school expanded from a one-room wooden building to larger facilities as enrollment increased. By 1919, the need for more space led to a bond election authorizing a new brick building beside the original site. In 1926, the Birdville Independent School District was incorporated, and more school facilities were added in later years. In 1961, Birdville High School was renamed Haltom High after Richland High opened as a second high school, and the district, still on the original Birdville School site, continued to serve facilities throughout Haltom City while retaining the Birdville name.