The company was founded in 1978 by Donald R. Horton. Horton took the company public in 1992, and as of 2020 owned about 6% of the company. In 1997, the company acquired Continental Homes for $305 million and the assumption of $278 million in debt. The company also entered the
Tucson, Arizona, market. In 1998, the company promoted Donald J. Tomnitz to vice chairman and chief executive and promoted Richard Beckwitt to president. The company also acquired Cambridge Homes. The company completed more acquisitions throughout the years. In 1999, the company acquired Century Title Agency. In 2001, the company acquired Emerald Builders and Fortress Homes and Communities of
Florida. In 2002, the company acquired Schuler Homes. The company also acquired 300 acres in McKinney, Texas. In 2013, the company re-entered the
Nashville market. In April 2015, the company acquired Pacific Ridge Homes, based in
Seattle, for $72 million. The acquisition included 350 lots, 90 homes in inventory and 40 homes in sales order backlog. Horton also acquired control of about 400 lots through
option contracts. In May 2015, the company received approval from the
Honolulu City Council to begin construction on an 11,750-home
planned community in
West Oahu, Hawaii. In 2016, the company acquired Wilson Parker Homes for $90 million. In 2017, the company moved its headquarters from
Fort Worth, Texas, to
Arlington, Texas. In 2018, the company acquired Terramor Homes, Classic Builders, and Westport Homes. On May 17, 2024, the company announced the passing of its founder and chairman, Donald R. Horton, who suddenly died at the age of 74. Company representatives believe the cause of death was a heart attack. Following Horton's death, the board appointed the company's Executive Vice Chairman, David V. Auld, as the new executive chairman. ==Controversies==