List of mayors of Fort Worth, Texas facts for kids

Fort Worth, Texas, is a big city, and like any city, it needs a leader! That leader is called the Mayor. The Mayor is like the head of the city government, working with the City Council to make important decisions. They help make sure the city runs smoothly, from public services to new projects.

Quick facts for kids Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas
Incumbent Mattie Parker since 15 June 2021
Formation	17 February 1873
First holder	William Paxton Burts

Meet the Mayors of Fort Worth

Fort Worth has had many mayors since it became an official city in 1873. Each mayor has played a part in shaping the city we know today. This list introduces you to the people who have held this important job.

Early Leaders of Fort Worth

The first mayors helped set up the city's basic services.

Term	Image	Mayor	Political affiliation	Time in Office	Key Facts
1st		William Paxton Burts	N/A	17 February 1873 – 29 October 1874	Fort Worth's very first mayor after it became an official city.
2nd		Captain Giles Hiram Day	N/A	10 November 1874 – 8 August 1878
3rd		Robert Emmett Beckham	N/A	8 August 1878 – 12 April 1880
4th		John T. Brown	N/A	12 April 1880 – 11 April 1882
5th		John Peter Smith	N/A	11 April 1882 – 20 April 1886	He was a very large landowner in Fort Worth. He helped move the county seat to Fort Worth. As mayor, he started the city's first water department and public school system.
6th		H.S. Broiles	N/A	20 April 1886 – 8 April 1890
7th		William Smartt Pendleton	N/A	8 April 1890 – 5 August 1890
8th		John Peter Smith	N/A	5 August 1890 – 12 April 1892	This was his second time serving as mayor.
9th		Buckley Burton Paddock	N/A	12 April 1892 – 10 April 1900
10th		T.J. Powell	N/A	10 April 1900 – 10 April 1906
11th		William Dawson Harris	N/A	10 April 1906 – 13 April 1909
12th		William David Williams	N/A	13 April 1909 – 27 April 1909
13th		W.D. Davis	N/A	1 June 1909 – 15 April 1913
14th		Robert Fain Milam	N/A	15 April 1913 – 15 April 1915
15th		E.T. Tyra	N/A	16 April 1915 – 16 April 1917
16th		W.D. Davis	N/A	16 April 1917 – 16 April 1921
17th		E.R. Cockrell	N/A	16 April 1921 – 8 October 1924
18th		W.P. Burton	N/A	8 October 1924 – 15 April 1925
19th		Henry Clay Meacham	N/A	15 April 1925 – 12 April 1927
20th		William Bryce	N/A	12 April 1927 – 20 December 1933
21st		Van Zandt Jarvis	N/A	20 December 1933 – 7 April 1937
22nd		W.J. Hammond	N/A	8 April 1937 – 11 May 1938
23rd		R.H.W. Drechsel	N/A	11 May 1938 – 27 July 1938
24th		T.J. Harrell	N/A	27 July 1938 – 19 June 1940
25th		I.N. McCrary	N/A	17 July 1940 – 4 April 1945
26th		Roscoe L. Carnrike	N/A	4 April 1945 – 8 April 1947
27th		F. Edgar Deen	N/A	9 April 1947 – 6 April 1951	He was one of two Fort Worth mayors to serve more than once, but not right after each other.
28th		J.R. Edwards	N/A	6 April 1951 – 22 April 1953
29th		F. Edgar Deen	N/A	22 April 1953 – 6 April 1955	This was his second time serving as mayor.
30th		F.E. "Jack" Garrison	N/A	20 April 1955 – 2 April 1957
31st		Thomas A. McCann	N/A	2 April 1957 – 21 April 1961
32nd		John S. Justin, Jr.	N/A	21 April 1961 – 22 April 1963
33rd		Bayard H. Friedman	N/A	22 April 1963 – 6 April 1965
34th		Willard Barr	N/A	6 April 1965 – 6 April 1967
35th		DeWitt McKinley	N/A	6 April 1967 – 9 April 1969*
36th		R.M. "Sharkey" Stovall	N/A	6 April 1969* – 14 April 1975	He helped with the building of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. He also oversaw a vote to change how the City Council worked.
37th		Clif Overcash	N/A	14 April 1975 – 5 April 1977	He was a City Councilman before becoming mayor.
38th		Hugh Quay Parmer	Democratic	5 April 1977 – 1 May 1979	He served in the Texas House of Representatives before becoming mayor. Later, he became a Texas state senator.
39th		Woodie Woods	Republican	1 May 1979 – 10 November 1981
-		Richard Newkirk	N/A	11 November 1981 – 1 February 1982	He was an interim mayor, meaning he served for a short time until a new mayor was chosen.
40th		Bob Bolen	Republican	2 February 1982 – 21 May 1991	He served the longest term as mayor in Fort Worth's history.
41st		Norvell Kay Granger	Republican	21 May 1991 – 19 December 1995	She was the first female mayor of Fort Worth. After being mayor, she served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
-		Jewel Woods	N/A	20 December 1995 – 20 May 1996	He was an interim mayor after Kay Granger left office.
42nd		Kenneth Barr	Democratic	21 May 1996 – 20 May 2003	He was a Fort Worth city councilman before becoming mayor.
43rd		Michael J. Moncrief	Democratic	20 May 2003 – 12 July 2011	He was a Texas senator before becoming mayor. He was elected mayor four times.
44th		Betsy Price	Republican	12 July 2011 – 15 June 2021	She was the Tarrant County tax assessor before becoming mayor. She was elected mayor three times without anyone running against her.
45th		Mattie Parker	Republican	15 June 2021 – Present	She is the current mayor of Fort Worth. She used to be the chief of staff for former mayor Betsy Price.

*Dates given by Fort Worth Mayor's office.