Fort Worth Flashback
The City of Fort Worth's City News presents a weekly article highlighting a local history topic using photographs found in the Library's archives. The Fort Worth Library has approximately 10,000 items pertaining to the history of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. These items include city and county government documents, newspapers, directories, cemetery association records, maps as well as popular and scholarly books written by local authors or about local subjects. To learn more, call 817-392-7740 or email the Genealogy, History and Archives Section.
May 2013
- Swartz brothers chronicled early life in Fort Worth
- Symphony celebrating a century of making beautiful music
- Cats hosted many big-league players
April 2013
- Take a look at early city records
- Al Brancato played for Cats after major league career
- Crowds swarmed to greet Roosevelt in 1905
- Fox photo collection is now digitized
- Spring Palace showcased Texas wares, ended tragically
March 2013
- Pat Chadwell Jackson helped strengthen local library’s archives
- Alpha Kappa Alpha uplifts the community it serves
- Electra Carlin operated one of first private art galleries
- Belle Burchill tried to tame Hell’s Half Acre
February 2013
- Lives of black cowboys tell story of skill, grit
- Guinn School was center of education for blacks
- Miz Rolla’ secured a place for local black history
- Dr. Ransom safeguarded health of black residents
January 2013
- Edna Gardner White was pioneer aviatrix
- King Kids helped keep the dream alive
- Cowtown boasts longest running stock show
December 2012
- Daring young man in his flying machine visited a century ago (photo from Fort Worth National Bank archives)
- First local hospital was built for railroaders
- FWNB collection captures our city’s history
- Amber bulbs shone through the holidays for many years
- Greenwall Opera House entertained Cowtown before its untimely demise
November 2012
- Downtown parade showcased Texas’ military strength
- Reby Cary’s life one of patriotism, service, achievement
- JFK’s speeches in Fort Worth would be his last
- I.M. Terrell music program produced jazz greats
October 2012
- Many street names honor early statesmen, others
- Quanah Parker was no stranger to Cowtown
- Stag Saloon brought ‘luxurious surroundings’ to Cowtown
- A rare look at a part of TCU campus no longer in existence
- Polio was one of the most feared diseases
September 2012
- Paschal’s history extends to early days as Fort Worth High
- Cook began caring for Tarrant County in 1929
- From meager beginnings, zoo grew into nationally ranked attraction
- Test your knowledge of late-50s Fort Worth geography
August 2012
- Camp Bowie preceded Arlington Heights neighborhood
- Early aviator Vernon Castle memorialized in Benbrook
- FWU dispensed college degrees before moving to Oklahoma City
- Rare photo shows early Tarrant settlers
July 2012
- Street markers progressed through the ages
- Pioneer family’s homestead became Cultural District
- City’s elite partied at Lake Como resort
- Water Gardens are an architectural and engineering marvel
- County seat was swiped from Birdville
June 2012
- May 1949 flood called worst in city history
- Lake Worth was built to provide drinking water, recreation
- Ready availability of ice changed home life
- Elks Lodge started out downtown
May 2012
- Native Americans used virtually every portion of the bison
- John Peter Smith was early Fort Worth promoter
- Cats have winning history
- Symphony has been making beautiful music since 1912
April 2012
- Early downtown dwellers worshiped at Broadway Presbyterian
- Edna Gladney fought for adoption rights in Texas
- Bookmobile hit the road in 1948
- Confederate Grays organized to honor fellow soliders
- Display recounts early African-American doctors’ contributions
March 2012
- E.M. Daggett settled Diamond Hill
- Cruise down Automobile Row
- Westland produced a good nickel cigar
- Downtown, circa 1910
February 2012
- Streetcars began scooting around Cowtown in 1876
- James Farmer pioneered cattle sales in Fort Worth
- Trinity Park expanded as result of levee controversy
- North Side grew up around packing plants
January 2012
- Panoramic map shows 1876 Cowtown
- 1949 flood led to creation of levee system
- Red Men promoted freedom, friendship, charity
- 36th Division shipped out of Camp Bowie for World War I action
- Bell has been manufacturing Kiowa copters here for nearly 50 years
December 2011
- Paschal High got its start as Fort Worth High
- American Airlines grew its wings at Meacham
- Early power brokers flocked to Elizabeth Boulevard
- Depression era spawned 1938 City Hall
November 2011
- TCU campus had humble beginnings
- Main Street underpass provided north-south thoroughfare
- Carnegie provided gift for city’s first library
- Money’s Glo was first Futurity champion
- Lewis Fox captured Cowtown scenes in 1930s, 40s
October 2011
- Stag Saloon brought ‘palatial magnificence’ to Cowtown
- Yale Lary anchored Detroit’s feared defense of the 50s
- Shenandoah one of four Navy airships
- Hotel, saloon provided cowboy comforts
- More than century-old pump station valve removed
September 2011
- Sam Garcia
- Priceless art finds home at the Carter
- Restored monument honored for preservation excellence
August 2011
- Central Fire Station
- Boaz & Battle Cotton Yard
- Bookmobile rolls out
- Early grocery store was predecessor to O.B. Macaroni
Updated 20 May 2013