White Settlement: A Legacy of Aviation

Long before fighter jets streaked across the Texas sky, White Settlement was a small frontier community on the edge of a growing state. What began as a pioneer settlement during the early years of Texas statehood has evolved into one of the most important aerospace hubs in the nation—a place where small-town values and cutting-edge innovation exist side by side.

"The core of this community has everything to do with its aviation legacy and role in World War II," said Jeremy Ogea, AVP and Community Banker at Southside Bank's White Settlement branch.

That legacy took flight in 1940 when Fort Worth applied to build a pilot training airfield on the outskirts of the newly incorporated town. But history had other plans. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the nation's priorities shifted dramatically. Instead of simply training pilots, the site became a critical manufacturing center for America's wartime efforts.

Under the Liberator Production Pool Program, Air Force Plant 4 was established to help build B-24 Liberator bombers. Managed by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, the facility supplemented production from the company's San Diego operations and quickly became a vital part of the war effort. To support the growing workforce, a housing community known as Liberator Village was built nearby, providing homes for employees and their families who had relocated to help meet wartime demand.

The decades that followed cemented White Settlement's place in aviation history. After acquiring Consolidated Aircraft in 1953, General Dynamics produced iconic military aircraft including the F-111 and F-16. Then, in 1993, Lockheed Martin acquired the facility and ushered in a new era of aerospace innovation. Today, the site serves as a major Lockheed Martin operation, producing advanced aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II.

The impact reaches far beyond the factory gates. Together, Lockheed Martin and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth support approximately 170,000 direct and indirect jobs and generate more than $3 billion in economic impact across Texas.

Yet despite its global significance, White Settlement remains a community deeply connected to its roots—a place where neighbors know one another and where generations have helped shape a remarkable story of service, innovation, and Texas pride.

At Southside Bank, we're proud to be part of that story. Our White Settlement team is honored to serve the families, businesses, and community members who call this place home, and we look forward to welcoming you soon.