Hey, history buffs.
Have you ever looked at a local spot and thought, “This place deserves to be commemorated?” Our city is full of legendary locations — many of which are indicated by historical markers. Historical markers reveal significant places, streets, neighborhoods, buildings, businesses, and cultural events from the past or present. Think: Thistle Hill + the Texas & Pacific Railway Station.
But not all significant areas get the attention they deserve. What the Sundance Courtyard, a place known by locals and often passed by tourists. We want to put these places on the map — literally.
Rules + details
Submit your historic place for a chance to be featured nationwide on our historical marker map. Our favorite submissions will then be featured in our newsletter, where we’ll put it to a vote. Who knows? Maybe it will receive an official historical marker.
Submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in our newsletter. These finalists will then go head-to-head in a vote for our readers’ favorite. The winner will be announced later in December. No promises that it will get an actual historical marker, but it will be one in our hearts.
Want to know more about official historical markers around town? Check out the Texas Historical Marker Database.
The results
The votes are in for the Fort Worth unofficial historical marker contest. Check out the finalists below, including the contest winner decided by your votes.
Winner: Joe T. Garcia’s
One of Fort Worth’s most famous restaurants was founded in 1935, but its history actually began in 1911 when Mamasuez Garcia immigrated from Mexico with her husband and the restaurant’s namesake Joe T.
Joe T. managed the business side, while Mamasuez worked tirelessly in the kitchen. Ever since its opening during the Great Depression, Joe T.’s has held up its reputation for good food and good company, welcoming hundreds of A-list dinner guests over the years including Elvis Presley, George Strait + more.
The patio restaurant takes the cake with 36% of the votes.
The Stop Six neighborhood is located in the southeast, bordered by Rosedale Avenue, Miller Street, Loop 820, and Berry Street. | Photo via UTA Library
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collect
Finalist: Stop Six Neighborhood
In 1896, Amanda Davis (1865-1960) became the first African American property owner in Fort Worth. She purchased a one-acre tract of land in the undeveloped southside for just $45.
Stop Six was named for being the “sixth stop” on The Northern Texas Traction Company’s streetcar system that took passengers from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas.
The neighborhood’s Dunbar High School has gained national recognition for its boy’s basketball team — Texas state champs of 1993, 2003, and 2006.
The Tandy subway ran for the last time on August 30, 2002. | Photo via UTA Library
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection
Finalist: Tandy Center Subway
Built and owned by Marvin and Obadiah Leonard, the Tandy Center Subway operated from February 1963 to August 2002. Its original purpose was to transit passengers back and forth between the Leonard Brothers’ department store and its parking garage. During its 39-year lifetime, Tandy was the only privately owned subway in the United States.
Famous cowgirl and rodeo performer Tad Lucas first witnessed trick riding at the Stockyards. | Photo via UTA Library
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collect
Finalist: Tad Lucas’s Home
Tad Lucas (1902-1990) was a world champion cowgirl and pioneer of trick riding. Known for her daring stunts and fearless spirit, she earned nicknames like “The First Lady of Rodeo” and “The Queen of Cowgirls.” She was the first cowgirl ever to be inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. She lived in Fort Worth from 1941 until her death in 1990. Her home is located at 909 Roberts Cut Off Road.
It doesn’t stop there — we got more submissions than these. Just check out our map of all unofficial historical markers — both local and across the nation.
