"Keeweechic's Fort Worth" a Fort Worth Travel Page by keeweechic

Fort Worth lies within Tarrant County, which is one of the fastest growing urban counties in the United States today. They say Fort Worth is the city where the 'West' begins, it is "Cowtown, USA" and Dallas's younger sister. While Dallas is more glamour and glitz, Fort Worth has a certain sophistication of all its own with its wonderful art museums, performing arts centre and parks which is second in total acreage only to Chicago. In 1989 Newsweek named Fort Worth as "One of America's Best Places to Live and Work". With a population at less than half of Dallas, the city has a decidedly small town feel, more comfortable and easy going and showing a feel of history that Dallas does not seem to have. They have done a wonderful job of preserving the character and the past of the city.

Fort Worth developed a 'rough-and-rowdy' reputation in its early years when it was settled in 1849 as an Army outpost on the fork of the Trinity River. It was one of eight different posts in Texas designated to protect settlers from Indian attacks. As this thriving town became the last major stop on the legendary Chisholm Trail, it also became home to settlers and soldiers, cattle drovers and outlaws who lived it up in the legendary "Hell's Half Acre." The arrival of the railroad in the later 1800s transformed Fort Worth into a major shipping centre for livestock and meat packing companies were formed eventually making Fort Worth the second largest livestock market in the country. Vast oil fields were discovered in West Texas and Fort Worth's importance grew as the last big commercial centre before the prairie. It was in here that deals were made and drilling supplies were purchased. Immediately you feel a deep sense of these western roots, especially around the Stockyard Historical District. Its all "Yee Ha" and you "Y'all come back now soon!" ...