Fort Worth is a true southwestern gem, and is probably one of the nicest cities in Texas.

Never having been a real fort, Camp Worth kind of lost its purpose after the frontier moved
further west, but rebounded during the Civil War (due to the frontier shrinking back east for
a few years). Fort Worth was still very small, though, and it wasn't until Joseph McCoy
promoted the cattle drives that the city began to boom, with a red light district called Hell's
Half Acre and, later, a market for the livestock trade, the world famous Stockyards.

Fort Worth is really proud of its past, and it shows. The Cultural District, up old and cobbled
Camp Bowie Boulevard, leads to fine art - the world renowned Kimball - modern sculpture,
stock shows, and cattle trade halls of fame (Cowgirl, Cattle Raiser's, and African American
Cowboy museums). The Stockyards are FUN to explore, especially when you get away from all
the tourist areas. Downtown is a fairly safe place to stroll. And the city is chock full of
commercial architectural gems.

I fell in love with Fort Worth years ago, and I find myself drawn to this great city. Maybe the
photos show that!
Cool neon at the Stockyards.
A stockyard mural depicting the Chisholm Trail
and Justin Boots. H.J. Justin actually opened
his first cobbler shop on the Chisholm Trail - in
Spanish Fort, about 100 miles north of Fort
Worth. Spanish Fort is now a ghost town.
Tarrant County Courthouse as seen from North Main,
and the ugly Tandy Towers overshadowing it. A
travesty! The Fort Worth courthouse is the only one
that, to my knowledge, has its facade painted on.
Faint reminders of ancient businesses at the
stockyards
Fire escape at the stockyards.
The Swift Meat Processing Company emblem. Fort
Worth had two major meat processing plants (the
other one was Armor) at the Stockyards. The Swift
plant is a complete ruin and in 2012, was torn down.
The mission style Montgomery Ward building,
which held offices, warehouses, and a
department store on the ground floor. The
building has been renovated into chic
apartments and trendy shops, anchoring a
new neighborhood near the cultural district.
The Texas &  Pacific station is a real
art-deco delight. Today, the building has
been converted into apartments and lofts.
You can catch  the Lone Star Express
(running between Dallas and Fort Worth)
from the old platforms. Click here to see the
building before its renovation.
Fort Worth's gorgeous public market.
Snow cone stand at Camp Bowie Boulevard.
Steppin' Out in Fort Worth
Revolving gate to the disused stock pens at the Fort
Worth Stockyards. The Stockyards are considered a
National Historic District and sport ruins among tourist
areas. Almost all areas are open for exploration.
A small park hides beneath Exchange Avenue
in the Stockyards.
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad brings
tourists to the Stockyards from the former
Cotton Belt Station in Grapevine. Learn
more about Red River Rail Attractions!
Hop on your cart & get to Fort Worth. Might
take you a while.
Learn more about Fort Worth history.
Fort Worth's Weatherford Street at the beginning of
the 20th century. The cattle drives skirted the streets
of Fort Worth. To learn more about the cattle drives,
check out my book, Traveling History up the Cattle
Trails.
Fort Worth's east/west main street is Camp
Bowie Boulevard, also known as the former
Bankhead Highway.
Beauty inside the restored Texas & Pacific Station,
converted now into fancy lofts.
A view of downtown from the Trinity River
Trail. This is the approximate site of Camp
Worth.
What did you say? You think I like neon signs?
Whatever gave you that idea?!