Founded in 1852 as a frontier post, Lancaster is only 15 minutes from downtown Dallas and strategically placed adjacent to the south sector of the Dallas city limits. Enjoying the amenities of big city life while maintaining a home town environment, Lancaster has a rich historical heritage that points to a proud past.

Lancaster is one of the oldest communities in north central Texas. The area was first settled by members of the Peters Colony. On August 30, 1841, Republic of Texas President Lamar signed a contract with the W.S. Peters Company, authorizing the introduction of 600 families into Texas. The first group to arrive in the Lancaster area was led by Roderick Rawlins and his family. The Rawlins group set out from Greene County, Illinois, in September 1844 and arrived in the Lancaster area on January 2, 1845. They settled on the north bank of Ten Mile Creek, forming a community known as Hardscrabble. This temporary community consisted of two rows of log structures near the north edge of what is today Edgewood Cemetery on Nokomis Road.

The founder of Lancaster was "Honest A" Bledsoe. Bledsoe was born in Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky in 1801.Incorporated in May 1866, Lancaster was one of the first incorporated communities in Dallas County.