On July 5, 1869, the cornerstone of Phoenix Masonic Lodges school was laid at the corner of South Main and Lee Streets in Weatherford. After years of construction starts and delays, the first graduating class of six students received their diplomas on June 15, 1876. In June 1889 the Masons sold the college to the Weatherford district of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, who changed the name to Weatherford College. From then to the early 1900s, Weatherford College went through changes of ownership, name and oversight as it tried to establish itself in the community. In 1921, Weatherford College was reorganized as a junior college, offering college courses leading to the Associate of Arts degree as well as several high school courses leading to a high school diploma. Enrollment dropped during World War II forcing,the college to accept a merger proposal submitted by Southwestern University of Georgetown, Texas. The name was changed once again to Weatherford College of Southwestern University. On April 30, 1949, Southwestern University dissolved the merger and asked Weatherford or Parker County to accept ownership. The Parker County Commissioners Court called a special election and by a vote margin of almost three to one, Weatherford College of the Parker County Junior College District was established. The college opened for its first session in September 1949. Increased enrollment and unsuccessful attempts to purchase additional property surrounding the college forced WC to purchase 90 acres as a site for a new campus in 1966. Construction began in 1967, and the new campus, “on the hill,” was opened in the fall of 1968.

After celebrating 130 years of service to the community, WC expanded its commitment to providing quality education within its service area by opening the Education Center at Decatur. Responding to the needs of the Wise County community, WC, in partnership with the Decatur Economic Development Corporation, began offering classes at the new facility in January 2000.