History

Cattle drives and cowboy confrontations

In the late 1800’s, land owners began crossing off routes with barbed wire, effectively closing the Chisholm Trail. | Photo courtesy of UTA Libraries

Welcome back to our five-minute Fort Worth history series, where we talk about different eras in our city’s history for five minutes (clever name, we know).

Need to catch up? Read about the “Where the West Begins” with our breakdown of the city’s founding.

This month — in honor of the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo — we’re looking back at the longtime livestock legacy of Cowtown and how the trading brought in some less than savory behavior.

Hitch up for the Chisholm Trail 🐂

From 1867 to 1884, cowboys drove longhorn cattle up from the Rio Grande Valley through Fort Worth to Kansas on a route known as the Chisholm Trail. Although only used for a short time, over five million cattle and one million mustangs were driven over the Chisholm Trail in the “greatest migration of livestock in world history.”

“A rough town” 🗺️

The cattle drive — and the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1876 — brought all kinds of folk to town, who stirred up a fair bit of trouble.

Map of The Acre. — Hell’s Half Acre was almost 2.5 acres in its heyday in the late 1880s. | Map courtesy of TSHA

Fulfilling the town’s Wild West status, several blocks in downtown picked up the nickname “Hell’s Half Acre” for their particularly rambunctious nature. The red-light district bustled with saloons, brothels, and gambling dens, frequented by cowboys, ruffians, and outlaws.

The area — also known as the “Bloody Third Ward” — saw the likes of Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, and many others just itchin’ for a fight. The Acre’s notoriety dwindled around the state’s first prohibition campaign in 1889.

The spirit of the Chisholm Trail and Hell’s Half Acre can still be seen in Fort Worth today, but with a little less risk. Next time you’re commuting on the Chisholm Trail Parkway, imagine all the cars are cattle, and if someone insinuates that Dallas is better than Fort Worth, rein in your inner outlaw and shrug it off. They’re just jealous.

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Thursday, Jan. 26

Double D Ranch’s Rodeo Roundup | Thursday, Jan. 26-Saturday, Feb. 4 | 4-8 p.m. | Fort Worth Stockyards, 131 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | Cost of purchase | Shop a trunk show featuring Julie Asher’s western paintings, Federico Jiminez’s contemporary artisan goods, and Sonny Shaw’s new southwestern jewelry line.
Fort Worx Showcase Dinner | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Taste Community Restaurant, 1200 S. Main St., Fort Worth | $250+ | Enjoy a multi-course meal prepared by apprentices as they showcase their new skills.

Friday, Jan. 27

The Story of Us: An Immersive TCU Experience | Friday, Jan. 27 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | TCU Brown-Lupton University Union Ballroom, 2901 Stadium Dr., Fort Worth | Free | Experience TCU’s past, present, and future in an immersive, multimedia experience with historical artifacts and lots of photo opportunities.
Smash Burger Pop-Up | Friday, Jan. 27 | 5-9 p.m. | The Holly, 305 W. Daggett Ave., Fort Worth | Cost of purchase | Level up your usual burgers and beer combo for a natural wine pairing with your burger from Gustos.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Makers Market | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Lazy Daisy Coffee Bar, 6475 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth | Cost of purchase | Grab a cup of Joe and peruse art, crafted goods, and freshly baked breads and pastries.
Accessible Carnival | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth, 912 W. Broadway Ave., Fort Worth | Free | The family-friendly event will have crafts, prizes, snacks, and games for people of all abilities.

Sunday, Jan. 29

“Living” | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 12 p.m. | The Modern, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth | $7-$10 | Catch Bill Nighy working to turn his mundane life into something worth remembering in the latest film in the Magnolia at the Modern series.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

ONE MORE SLEEP 'TIL THE WEEKEND

Weather

54º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Development

Construction is starting on the next phase of Walsh Ranch (13801 Walsh Ave.). The community west of Fort Worth will soon add 224 homes — ranging high $300,000-$1 million — in a new subdivision called Brook Hollow that will fall into Aledo ISD. 🏘️

Announced

Ready for some award-winning eats? The James Beard Award semi-finalists were announced yesterday and two Cowtown restaurants have made the list. Don Artemio is in the running for best new restaurant and Goldee’s Barbecue chefs Jalen Heard, Lane Milne, and Jonny White are up for best Texas chef.

Asked

Speaking of food — yesterday, we shared 20+ new local restaurants to try in 2023. A reader asked about what’s coming to the former location of Austin City Taco, and we can confirm that the site is trading tacos for brisket as the first brick-and-mortar for F1 Smokehouse. 🍖

Biz

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce elected its 2023 officers and board members last week. Rosa Navejar, president of engineering company The Rios Group, will serve as the new chair of the organization’s 1,300 members. See the full list of board members. 💼

Award

The Association of Governing Boards of University and Colleges recognized TCU’s leadership last week. TCU received the John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership for its justice, diversity, equity, and inclusive programs. 🏆

Jobs

Chef Jon Bonnell is hiring back-of-house staff for his new Texas eatery Jon’s Grille. The cook and dishwasher positions offer competitive pay, benefits, and PTO. Stop by 2905 W. Berry to apply. 🍽️

Number

$4 million. That’s how much money Fort Worth Housing Solutions will receive from the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The funding will go towards public infrastructure improvements for Hughes House, 162 upcoming apartments in Stop Six. See what other projects received funding. 🏡

Legacy

Dr. Charles “Bud” Townsend, a longtime rodeo announcer, died at 93. Bud began his rodeo career at just 16 years old and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth last year. 🎙️

Tech

Looking for a new way to make the most of stage performances in Fort Worth? Check out Casa Mañana’s new app. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play and access exclusive benefits, mobile tickets, and digital playbills. 📲

Finance

Erase credit card interest until nearly 2025? Sounds good to us. This balance transfer card can do just that, providing you up to 21 months for the important stuff: travel, education, good food, time with family, or paying off debt. Apply today in minutes.*

Shop

Have you heard? Amazon now offers subscription boxes. Best of all — there’s a huge selection. Love trying out top rated beauty products? Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box. Music aficionado? Join the Vinyl of the Month Club. Pet parent? Your cat will love the KitNipBox. 📦 *

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It’s always Sonny in Fort Worth 🏈

Sonny Dykes wins Fort Worth Inc.'s 2023 Person of the Year

Coach Sonny Dykes with TCU quarterback Max Duggan. | Photo courtesy of LM Otero / Associated Press

Local business magazine Fort Worth, Inc. awarded its annual Person of the Year recognition to TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes.

In his first year with the Horned Frogs, Sonny lead the team to the College Football National Championship and was named the 2022 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year. “Dykes led the Horned Frogs to the highest peak of college football, garnering the university and city worldwide exposure,” Fort Worth, Inc. wrote.

The Person of the Year award goes to a member of the community who has shown “a lifetime of accomplishment, particularly in the last year, for the good of Fort Worth and the region.” Previous honorees include former mayor Betsy Price and the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” Opal Lee.

Sonny will be recognized on Thursday, May 18 alongside members of The 400: Fort Worth’s Most Influential People. Tickets for the reception at the Fort Worth Club are available now.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kate.

Editor’s pick: Y’all, I learned a new word — “plogging” is picking up litter while jogging, and apparently it’s a great way to build different muscles while you run and make our city a more beautiful place. ♻️

If you’re training for the Cowtown Marathon races taking place Friday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 26, level up your training regimen and your route by plogging right along. Don’t forget to register for the races. 👟

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Trying new restaurants is now our 2023 resolution.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rebecca McRobbie, Kate Mazade, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

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