Fort Worth

Fort Worth grew from a military camp established at the close of the Mexican War by Gen. Winfield Scott, and named for Gen. William Jenkins Worth who saw action in that war. Forty-two men of Company F, 2nd Dragoons, established the camp on June 6, 1849. The Fort Worth to Yuma, Arizona stage line was established in 1850. Fort Worth became the seat of Tarrant County in 1860. After the Civil War, the city became a major shipping and supply depot for cattlemen.

Today Fort Worth is one of Texas’ major cities with a wide range of industries including Lockheed Martin, American Airlines, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

The impressive Fort Worth Convention Center spans an area of 14 downtown blocks. Fort Worth calls itself the “Museum Capital of the Southwest” and is known for an outstanding group of museums, plus a season of summer musicals, winter theater, symphony concerts, opera, ballet, and art galleries.

Fort Worth is the home of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Tarrant County College, Texas Christian Univversity, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and Texas Wesleyan University. Vast green parks and a surrounding network of major lakes offer abundant opportunities for water sports and outdoor recreation. Burnett Park at Lamar and Texas Streets, on land donated by cattle baron Samuel Burk Burnett, features sculptures, pools, and granite walkways.

There is a calendar full of annual events, including the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and Rodeo in late January and early February (one of the nation’s best); Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival in April; Mayfest in May; Texas Frontier Forts Muster in Spring; Fort Worth Symphony’s Concerts in Garden in June-July; and Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival in October.

Don’t miss the Fort Worth Rail Market and the National Cowboys of Color Museum.

For baseball fans, catch a Fort Worth Cats game at New LeGrave Field. Opened in the summer of 2002, the $2.5 million ballpark seats 4,500 patrons and features a pavilion, boxed seating and excellent food.