Fort Worth Off The Beaten Path

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Headquarters, one of the greatest cattle markets in the world. In late 1860s Fort Worth was stop on cattle trails. Market for the West Texas organized 1870s. First trader, T.B. Saunders, Sr., soon was joined by others. First small packing houses were followed (early 1900s) by multi-million dollar plants. By 1910 trading almost doubled. This structure was erected in 1902-03 to house the Stockyards Company, Livestock Commission, and buyers officers, surrounded by lawns (now parking lots). In 1944, was purchased by United Stockyards Corporation. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

Located at 532 E. Exchange Street, Fort Worth TX 76164,

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The Fort Worth Stock Yards Company was created in 1893, when Boston capitalist Greenlief W. Simpson led a group of investors in purchasing the Fort Worth Union Stock Yards. Under Simpson's leadership, the Company earned the support of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association and lured the prominent meatpacking companies of Armour and Swift to open plants here. Publicity through the Company's market newspaper and annual Fat Stock Show, both begun in 1896, resulted in a significant increase in the number of animals brought to market. The Stock Yards Co. built the area's livestock-related facilities and had controlling interest in many North Fort Worth businesses and properties.
The first five decades of the 20th Century were the most successful for the Fort Worth Stock Yards Co. During World War I, foreign governments purchased draft animals, making Fort Worth the largest horse and mule market in the world. In 1917, overall livestock market receipts reached 3,500,000 and in 1944, sales exceeded 5,000,000 head of livestock. However, by the 1950s, local auctions were drawing sellers away from this central market. Today the Fort Worth Stock Yards Co. continues as a significant part of the city's unique heritage. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.

Located at the intersection of E. Exchange Street, on the left when traveling east on E. Exchange Street.

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There are 116 bronze markers of inductees such as: John Wayne, Will Rogers, Zane Grey, Bose Ikard, Tad Lucas, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving, C.C. Slaughter, Juan Sequin, Bob Wills, Bill Pickett, Frederic Remington, and Quanah Parker. These are in honor of those who made significant contribution to our histories western heritage. They are located along the sidewalks of the Stockyard.b

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Comanche chief Quanah Parker was a son of two cultures. He was born about 1845 along Elk Creek, Indian Territory (Oklahoma). His Anglo mother was Cynthia Ann Parker, taken captive in a May 1836 raid and adopted by Qua-Ha-Di (Antelope) Comanches, and his father was Comanche chief Peta Nocona. Texas Rangers reclaimed Cynthia Ann in an 1860 fight at the Pease River. Nocona died soon after, and Cynthia Ann lived with relatives near Birdville in Tarrant County before dying with no further contact with her Comanche family.

Becoming chief upon his father's death, Quanah refused to sign the 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty that sent many Plains Indians to reservations. Instead, he led raids in Texas and Mexico for another seven years, likely including the last foray into Tarrant County in June 1871. That winter, Quanah's band eluded Col. Ranald Mackenzie's Fourth U.S. Cavalry across the Texas panhandle. Comanche losses during the 1874 Panhandle Battle of Adobe Walls, in which Quanah was wounded, followed by a harsh winter, finally brought him and fewer than 100 remaining Qua-Ha-Di to the reservation at Fort Sill, Indian Territory in May 1875.

Quanah served as liaison between his people and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He proved to be a pragmatic leader, encouraging the Comanches to take up ranching and farming, and to educate their children in government schools. Quanah prospered through his investments and built his spacious "Star House" near Cache, OK. He traveled widely, giving speeches and interviews and participating in wild west shows, the Texas State Fair, Texas Cattle Raisers Association gathering and the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show. Quanah visited Fort Worth and the Stockyards on many occasions. He died in 1911 and is buried at Fort Sill with his Mom and sister.

132 E. Exchange Ave in front of AmeriSuites Hotel

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After the Civil War, people in Texas realized that an estimated 3.5 million free-roaming cattle scattered throughout the state were a valuable asset. Between 1866 and 1887, over five million head of cattle were rounded up to make the five-month, 800-mile trip through Texas to railheads in Kansas. Fort Worth, the last “civilized” stop before Indian Territory, became an important supply center. Driven by 10 or 12 cowboys, herds forded the Trinity and bedded down north of the river for a few days. In 1871, a reported 360,000 “beeves” were driven through Fort Worth along the Chisholm Trail (today’s Commerce, Calhoun, Jones and Grove streets). The invention of barbed wire and the advancing railroad brought an end to the cattle drives, but with the stockyards and the growing number of area ranches in need of supplies, Fort Worth remained a “cowtown.”
sponsored by: the elton and christine hyder foundation.

Located at West side of Commerce & 2nd Streets.

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William Jenkins Worth, a native of Hudson, New York, was severely wounded at Lundy's Lane during the War of 1812. In 1820 he became instructor of infantry tactic and soldierly discipline at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was sppointed The First Commandant of Cadets in 1825. When Worth was reassigned in 1828, Robert E.Lee was serving as Cadet Adjutant. Worth was involved in defenses along the Canadian border in the 1830's and in 1841-1842 led an expedition against the Florida Seminole Indians. He was awarded a commendation from the Florida Territorial Legislature and was promoted to Brigadier General. During the Mexican War Worth fought at The Battle of Monterrey. He recieved a Sword of Honor from the U.S. Congress and a promotion to Major General. While serving as Commander of the Texas and New Mexico Military Districts, Worth died of cholera in San Antonio in 1849. Fort Worth, a frontier post establlished asfter his death, was named in his honor. Worth was buried in New York City, his grave, at Broadway and Fifth Avenue, is marked by a Fifty Foot Monument and is surrounded by a fence of cast iron swords. Copies of his New York STate Sword of Honor.

Located across from Hotel Texas/Radisson in the park, 800 Main St., Fort Worth.

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On the evening of November 21, 1963, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy arrived in Fort Worth to spend the night at the Hotel Texas. Early the next morning, President Kennedy made an unscheduled outdoor appearance and surprised a crowd that had gathered here hoping to see him. At breakfast in the hotel, he spoke to 3,000 people emphasizing Fort Worth’s role in defense and aircraft production. He accepted with good humor the city’s traditional welcome gift of a locally made Shady Oaks Western Hat. The president’s trip around Texas, though billed as non-political, was surely brought about by infighting among Texas democrats.
Following breakfast on November 22, 1963 the president and his entourage left the Hotel Texas in a motorcade to Carswell Air Force Base for a short flight to Dallas. On the drive to a luncheon speech in Dallas, President Kennedy was assassinated, bringing shock and grief to Texas, the nation and the world. sponsored by: fort worth star-telegram

Located at Kennedy Plaza – 8th Street between Main & Commerce Streets.

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Catholics in Fort Worth began meeting together for regular worship services by 1875. They met in private homes, and were served by traveling priests. In 1876 Bishop Claude Dubuis of the Diocese of Galveston assigned a young Irish priest, Farther Thomas Loughrey, to establish a parish in Fort Worth. In July 1876 the Diocese purchased two lots at this site for a church to be named for Polish Jesuit Saint Stanislaus Kostka. Within three months, on October 29, 1876, Father Laughry said the first High Mass in the frame structure. He continued to serve the church until 1884, when Father Jean Marie Guyot was assigned as Pastor. The church opened a Catholic School in the parish. Classes initially were taught by Father Loughrey and the Sisters of Mercy. After 1885 the school was operated by the Sisters of St. Mary. By 1885 plans were underway for a new church structure. Completed in 1892, it was named for Saint Patrick. The original Saint Stanislaus building became part of the school. After serving the parish for over three decades, it was removed between 1908 and 1909 to make way for a new parish rectory.

Located at Located at 1206 Throckmorton, Fort Worth