Fort Worth Stockyards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District
|
|
Entrance to Fort Worth Stockyards, 2012
|
|
 Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District
Location in Texas
Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by 23rd, Houston, and 28th Sts., and railroad, Fort Worth, Texas |
|---|---|
| Area | 98 acres (40 ha) |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76002067 |
| Added to NRHP | June 29, 1976 |
The Fort Worth Stockyards is a special historic area in Fort Worth, Texas. It's located just north of the city's main business district. This 98-acre (40 ha) area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. For many years, it was a very important place where livestock (like cattle, sheep, and hogs) were bought, sold, and processed.
History of the Stockyards
.jpg)
The Fort Worth Stockyards became super important when railroads arrived in 1876. This made it easier to transport animals. The first big stockyard, Fort Worth Union Stockyards, opened on January 19, 1890. It covered a huge area of 206 acres!
Soon after, a meat packing company was started. It didn't make money at first. Then, a businessman from Boston named G. W. Simpson bought it. He worked with big companies like Swift and Armour to build more packing houses.
By 1886, four stockyards were built near the railroad lines. In 1893, Greenleif W. Simpson and his partners officially started the Fort Worth Stock Yards Company. They bought the Union Stock Yards and the packing company.
The Stockyards quickly became very successful. By 1907, they were selling over a million cattle every year! This area was a well-organized place for buying, selling, and slaughtering animals. Fort Worth stayed a key part of the cattle industry until the 1950s. After that, business slowed down. This happened because livestock auctions started happening closer to where the animals were raised.
The Stockyards Today
Today, the Fort Worth Stockyards celebrates the city's rich history with the cattle industry. It was officially recognized as a historic district in 1976. This means many of its old buildings are protected. Important landmarks include the entrance sign, the Livestock Exchange Building, and the Stockyards Hotel.
The Stockyards is now a fun place filled with entertainment and shops. These places highlight Fort Worth's nickname, "Cowtown." You can find famous boot makers like M.L. Leddy's here. There's also The Maverick Fine Western Wear and Saloon. Here, customers can enjoy a cold drink while they shop, just like people did in the old days of cattle drives! Fort Worth is often called "Where the West Begins."
You'll find many bars and nightclubs in the area, including the famous Billy Bob's Texas. The whole area has a Western feel. There's also a weekly Stockyards Championship Rodeo to enjoy. The Library of Congress says the Fort Worth Stockyards are the last standing stockyards in the United States! Some volunteers still do cattle drives through the Stockyards. This tradition started a long time ago.
In 2011, the Fort Worth Stockyards Stables were updated and reopened. They are in a historic building from 1912. These stables offer horse boarding and even horse rentals. You can ride horses on the trails along the Trinity River.
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad also offers train rides. It runs a special heritage service between Grapevine station and the Stockyards.
Gallery
-
White Elephant Saloon
-
General Store and Trading Post, Star Café
-
Cattle pens
-
Grapevine Vintage Railroad at the Stockyards
-
Postcard with an aerial view of the Stockyards, undated
.jpg)
.jpg)
