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 a
checkpoint for cattle 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!
Above: Cool neon at the Stockyards
Above: 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.
Above: 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.
Right and bottom
right: Faint
reminders of
ancient
businesses at the
stockyards
Above: a cool fire escape at the
stockyards
Above: The Swift Meat Processing Company
emblem. Fort Worth had two major meat
processing plants (the other one was Armor) at the
Stockyards. Today, the Swift plant is a complete
ruin, perfect for urban exploring (for the brave. I'm
just too chicken)! I'll take more photos of the plant
soon
Above, right, and below right: The mission style
Montgomery Ward building, which had offices,
warehouses, and a department store on the ground
floor. The old building is currently being gutted and
made into lofts, or so the plans are. After I heard that
the building would soon undergo major changes, I
hurried as quickly as I could to get some parting
shots. The great windows are now completely gone.
Above, right, and below right: The Union
Pacific station is a real art-deco delight.
Though it's currently being renovated, you
can still catch the Amtrak and the Lone Star
Express (running between Dallas and Fort
Worth) from its old platforms. To the west of
the station is the gigantic UP warehouse,
with great tile work (below right). The
emblem for UP still graces the main
entrance (right).
Above and below: Fort Worth's gorgeous public
market. I need more info on this building! The
market is close to the Union Pacific station, south of
downtown Fort Worth, and lies in the vicinity of
Hell's Half Acre.
WAY MORE TO COME!
Above: cool snow cone stand at Camp Bowie Boulevard.
Steppin' Out in
Fort Worth