Today’s Forecast

55º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 5:36 p.m.

Business

Financial times for Fort Worth

Main Street was hopping, even in the 1880s. | Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Star-Telegram collection, UTA Libraries

Welcome back to our five-minute Fort Worth history series. This month, we’re diving into the major businesses and industries that brought Panther City into the 20th century.

Show me the money

You gotta have money to make money so in 1870 Capt. Martin B. Loyd established an exchange office that became one of the oldest banks in town. Seven years later, he chartered the First National Bank, which primarily served cattlemen.

In 1903, the Continental Bank and Trust Company was established by H.H. Wilkinson and was one of the first local banks to lend money for oil development.

🍖 We’ve got the meat

We already learned about Cowtown’s livestock legacy and the first edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show in 1896. The blooming livestock trade set the city up to be a leader in the meatpacking industry and triggered silent growth, prompting a 300% population increase from 1900 to 1910.

The Fort Worth Dressed Meat and Provision Company kicked off with a capital stock of $500,000, paving the way for the openings of Swift & Company, Armour & Company, and McNeill & Libby packing houses in 1902.

FTW-swift-company-postcard — The former Swift and Armour meatpacking district is slated for redevelopment next to the Historic Stockyards.
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Postcard courtesy of Fort Worth Star-Telegram collection, UTA Libraries

✈️ Incoming aircraft

During WWI, Amon Carter and Ben E. Keith worked with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps to set up three airfields in Cowtown because the weather was good for training. In 1917, the $3 million Camp Bowie was constructed across 2,186 acres to serve the US War Department’s 36th Infantry Division. Military and aviation are still important industries in Fort Worth today.

🛢️ We’ve struck oil

In October 1917, the small town of Ranger (~90 miles west along the T&P Railroad) changed the future of Fort Worth. A geyser of black gold rushed from the ground, uncorking the oil region surrounding Cowtown in Desdemona, Breckenridge, and Burkburnett. By 1920, the city had 12 active and under-construction oil refineries.

Ready to zoom forward? Jump back to the present day and check out Fort Worth’s current driving industries and major employers.

Present-day portfolio

Events

Wednesday, May 10

“Lives of the Gods” | Wednesday, May 10-Sunday, Sept. 3 | Times vary | Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth | $14-$18 | Explore the divinity of Mayan art at this exhibition of nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and discoveries — members get in free.

Thursday, May 11

Immersive Disney Animation | Thursday, May 11-Monday, Sept. 4 | Times vary | Lighthouse Dallas, 507 S. Harwood St., Dallas | $27-$99 | Step inside some of your favorite Disney movies during a one-of-a-kind immersive experience featuring custom light-up bracelets that sync with the galleries.

Friday, May 12

Friday on the Green | Friday, May 12 | 5-10 p.m. | Magnolia Green, 1201 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth | Free | Bring your own lawn chairs and kick back for four local musicians and peruse Near Southside food and drinks + an artisan market.
PBR World Finals | Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 21 | Times vary | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $27.50-$926 | PBR is unleashing the beasts for the world’s best rodeo athletes.

Saturday, May 13

TCU Baseball | Saturday, May 13 | 4-7 p.m. | Lupton Baseball Stadium, 3700 W. Berry St., Fort Worth | $15-$20 | The Horned Frogs will head to the plate against Baylor for the Senior Day game.

Sunday, May 14

Mother’s Day Sinatra Celebration | Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | Scat Jazz Lounge, 111 W. 4th St., Fort Worth | $25-$130 | Ricki Derek and his orchestra will perform a tribute to legendary musician Frank Sinatra.

Monday, May 15

Fort Worth Art Commission Meeting | Monday, May 15 | 5 p.m. | Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth | Free | Calling artists — learn about the public art process and how you can be involved.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Real Estate

🏢 From headlines to homes

Former Star-Telegram Building sold to housing developer

The Star-Telegram Building shares a lobby with the Oil & Gas building. | Photo courtesy of Loopnet

Dallas-based developer Bluelofts, Inc. purchased the former Fort Worth Star-Telegram building at 307 W. 7th St. in downtown and plans to turn it into residential units. The 19-story building shares a lobby with the 1954 Oil & Gas Building that Bluelofts purchased in January.

Then

The first six stories were built in 1929 for The Fair department store. It was expanded by Wyatt C. Hendrick in 1934 and went up for sale in 2020. The publication leased two floors of the expanded tower from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and transitioned out of the space in 2021.

Now

Earlier this week, Bluelofts announced plans to convert the building into 88 residential units and retain some of the office space. Combined with the adjoining Oil & Gas Building, Bluelofts now owns the entire block of West 7th Street from Taylor to Throckmorton. The total 440,000 sqft will include 268 residential units combined.

More downtown developments

News Notes

Development

The city requested to alter the federal floodway that impacts the development of Future City Hall. The request was published in the Federal Register, and government agencies and stakeholders have through Sunday, June 4 to comment. The Army Corps of Engineers determined the request doesn’t pose harm to residents or the environment.

Open

Chef Justin Brewer from the Culinary School of Fort Worth is rolling out a new food truck. Fifty Fifty Food Trailer is serving up gourmet sandwiches with traditional and vegan options like Italian beef and falafel. Keep an eye on Instagram for the weekly schedule, locations, and catering opportunities.

Biz

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is planning a new facility at Alliance Airport. The company will overhaul a 108,548-sqft space for offices and shipping space at 2500 Golden Triangle Blvd. Combined with the 160,000-sqft Customer Support Center that opened in October, the complex will employ ~200 people. (The Dallas Morning News)

Edu

Two Tarrant County school districts are getting new facilities according to Saturday’s unofficial election results. A $2 billion bond proposal passed in Northwest ISD, bringing 12 new schools and five athletic facilities. Two of three propositions passed in Crowley ISD bringing eight new schools, an outdoor learning center, and a track and field complex.

Civic

The city is reminding owners of local boarding homes to apply for permits and pass required inspections to avoid a $2,000 fine. Last month, Fort Worth passed an ordinance that regulates boarding facilities for elderly or disabled persons.

Eat

Local chef Scotty Scott renamed his grilled cheese food truck from Cheezy Does It to Abe Fromage, referencing a scene from the 1986 cult classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Whatever the name, it’s still delicious — check it out at The Holly in the Near Southside.

Outdoors

Break out those binoculars — a native, endangered bird species has been spotted for the first time in 20 years. A pair of golden-cheeked warblers were seen at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center in Cedar Hill (~30 miles southeast of downtown). The 4.5-inch birds are the only species that nests exclusively in Texas. (NBC DFW)

Watch

The final episodes of Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” will hit Paramount Network in November. But don’t worry, a still-untitled sequel series will follow in December. Until then, catch up on the hit western drama and the prequel series “1883" on Paramount+.

Holiday

How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Unlock your home equity.*

Drink

🍹 A mocktail moment

Recipe: a zero-proof Moscow mule

Add two ounces of pomegranate juice to your Moscow mule for an added tropical punch. | Photo by Michael D. Wilson via Ritual Zero Proof Spirits

If you love the occasional nightcap but hate the hangover that follows (or already enjoy concocting flavorful mixed drinks sans alcohol), Ritual Zero Proof’s spirits will be a great addition to your home bar kit. The award-winning alcohol-free liquors offer a 1:1 spirit replacement, so you can use them just as you would traditional spirits.

Ritual Zero Proof offers alcohol-free tequila, rum, gin, and whiskey that are made using all-natural botanical ingredients to mimic the taste and smell of liquor. Bonus: Ritual Zero Proof’s website has a slew of cocktail recipes we’re drooling over. We’re featuring one of our favorites below.

Traditional Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

2 oz. Ritual Zero Proof Gin
1/2 oz. lime juice
4 oz. ginger beer
Lime wedges (garnish)

Directions:

Fill a copper mug or tumbler with ice. Add all ingredients. Stir and garnish with lime wedges.

Bonus: Buy these copper mugs and the viral nugget ice maker to elevate your cocktail night.*

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

In case you missed it, this week is Teacher Appreciation Week and Texas’ favorite fast food chain Whataburger is giving away free breakfasts to educators. Teachers, show your school ID and chow down — plus, check out these national companies offering discounts and freebies.

Pssst — don’t forget to submit your favorite teacher for a shoutout in an upcoming newsletter.

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