Settlers first arrived in 1850 and founded the communities of Peters' Colony and Miranda, which eventually grew together. In 1880, Texas and Pacific Railroad built a station along Mary's Creek and named it for James M. Benbrook, a local resident who petitioned for the railroad. A branch of the Chisholm Trail passed through the area, and the Butterfield Stage line ran along Mary's Creek on its way west. While one of the oldest cities in Tarrant County, Benbrook is also one of area's newest, having been incorporated in 1947.

Today, Benbrook Lake and Benbrook Antiques Mall, featuring 140 dealers in 35,000-square-foot facility, are the biggest tourist attractions.