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Before there was a lake - or even the town of Bridgeport - there was the bridge. In the mid-1800s, travelers heading west faced a major obstacle: crossing the West Fork of the Trinity River. Stagecoaches, wagons, and cattle drives all needed a reliable way to get across and that’s where the story of Bridgeport begins. A Mail Route and a Mission From 1858 to 1861, the famous Butterfield Overland Mail route stretched from St. Louis to San Francisco, carrying passengers, freigh

Few things say Runaway Bay like a quiet morning on the pier. Whether you’re casting a line or soaking up the sunset over Lake Bridgeport, our community fishing pier is one of the Bay’s most loved spots. A big thank you goes out to the Runaway Bay Parks & Recreation Board for their continued care and maintenance of this area! We appreciate their support to keep it beautiful, safe, and welcoming for everyone. Don’t Forget Your Texas Fishing License Before heading out to fish, m

November 14 - 15, 2025 Mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday, November 14–15, as the second annual Smoke on the Water returns to the Runaway Bay Event Center (513 Port O’ Call, Runaway Bay, TX)! This fun-filled weekend brings together neighbors, visitors, and BBQ lovers for one of the most anticipated community gatherings of the year. Hosted by the Outlaw BBQ Association and supported by the Runaway Bay Economic Development Corporation, the event features incredible foo

Before GPS or Google Earth, there was Col. William Hudson Hunt. A man with a compass, a keen eye, and a mission to chart the wild Texas frontier. Born in 1800 in Tennessee, Hunt arrived in North Texas by the 1840s, when the region was still untamed prairie and dense oak country. Mapping the Future As a surveyor for the Peters Colony and the Republic of Texas, Hunt played a major role in establishing early boundaries and settlements across what would become Wise County. Using

Runaway Bay’s landmark Golf Ball Water Tower is now undergoing a full rehabilitation and it's one of the most significant infrastructure projects in recent city history. While many residents recognize the tower for its distinctive “golf ball on a tee” silhouette, this 100,000-gallon elevated tank is far more than a local icon - it’s a vital part of the City’s water system, ensuring consistent pressure, reliable storage, and safe drinking water for our community. Built in 1983

September 16, 2025 At the September 16th Council meeting, the Runaway Bay City Council approved Ordinance No. 638, updating our participation in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) - a statewide retirement program designed to provide long-term financial security for municipal employees. This may sound like a lot of government talk, but here’s what it really means for our team - and for you as a resident. What’s Changing Employee contribution: 7% of pay (the require

Think of this space as the front porch of Runaway Bay - the spot where neighbors gather and everyone stays in the loop. You don’t have to bring a casserole (though we won’t stop you) - just bring your curiosity and a little hometown spirit! Here on the Runaway Bay Bulletin, we’ll be chatting about all things Runaway Bay: ✅ Community News & Events: from big celebrations to small-town moments, if it’s happening here, we’ll share it here. ✅ City Council Recaps: can’t make the