With a population of 720,250 Fort Worth is the seventeenth-largest city in the US and the fifth-largest city in Texas. It is the second-largest cultural and economic center of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area (commonly called the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex). Fort Worth was the fastest growing large city in the United States from 2000-2006 and was voted one of "America's Most Livable Communities."
Fort Worth was named after Major General William Jenkins Worth, a respected and decorated hero of three wars including the 1846-1848 Mexican-American War. Fort Worth, Texas; Lake Worth, Texas; Lake Worth, Florida; and Worth County, Georgia are named in his honor. While leading his troops during the Mexican-American War, Worth personally planted the first American flag on the Rio Grande River. At the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848, Worth was placed in command of the War Department in Texas. In January 1849 Worth proposed a line of ten forts to mark the Western Texas frontier and protect settlers moving westward from frequent Indian attacks. The forts extended from Eagle Pass to the confluence of the West Fork and Clear Fork of the Trinity River. After General Worth died of cholera the northern most fort on the Trinity River was named Fort Worth.
Fort Worth went from a sleepy Army outpost to a bustling town when it became a stop along the legendary Chisholm Trail, the dusty path where millions of cattle were driven North to market. Fort Worth became the center of the cattle drives, and later, the ranching industry. Its location on the Old Chisholm Trail helped establish Fort Worth as a trading and cattle center and earned it the nickname "Cowtown."
In 1876 the Texas & Pacific Railway arrived in Fort Worth causing a boom and transforming the Fort Worth Stockyards into a premier cattle meat-packing and shipping center. In 1893 the two biggest cattle slaughtering firms at the time, Armour and Swift, both established operations in the stockyards. With the boom times came some problems. Cowboys were joined by a motley assortment of buffalo hunters, gunmen, gamblers, adventurers, and crooks who frequented an area known as Hell's Half Acre, the biggest collection of bars, dance halls and bawdy houses South of Dodge City. Shootings, knifings, muggings and brawls became a nightly occurrence. By 1900 most of the dance halls and gamblers were gone because the Progressive era was making its reformist mark felt in districts like the Acre all over the country.
The Fort Worth Stockyards were designated as a historical district in 1976 and now celebrates Fort Worth's long tradition as a part of the cattle industry. Many bars and nightclubs (including Billy Bob's Texas) are located in the vicinity, and the area has a Western motif. There is also an opry, a rodeo and a large commercial area named the Stockyards Station that includes tourist shops, restaurants, a winery and an art gallery. The Fort Worth Stockyards are the last standing stockyards in the United States. Volunteers still run mini-cattle drives each day with a couple of dozen long horn cattle.
In 1917 Fort Worth experienced a new boom when oil was discovered nearby. The establishment of military installations in the area during both world wars also spurred the economy. Today Fort Worth has a prosperous, diverse economy based on oil, finance, transportation, tourism and manufacturing. The city's manufacturing industries range from clothing and food products to jet fighters, helicopters, computers, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. It is home to a multitude of major corporate headquarters, offices, and distribution centers.
Dining
Daddy Jacks New England Lobster & Chowder House I had lunch at their Sundance Square restaurant. Clams in garlic sauce were good and lobster bisque was okay. Their crusty sourdough bread was very good.
Risckys BBQ Restaurant I had lunch at their Sundance Square restaurant. Their grilled smoked catfish was good, but not as good as Gene Stone's fried catfish.
More to come…
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