Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Fort Worth Stock Yards Company
Photographed By Carolyn Sanders, February 5, 2017
1. The Fort Worth Stock Yards Company Marker
The Fort Worth Stock Yards Company was created in 1893, when Boston capitalist Greenlief W. Simpson led a group of investors in purchasing the Fort Worth Union Stock Yards. Under Simpson's leadership, the Company earned the support of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association and lured the prominent meatpacking companies of Armour and Swift to open plants here. Publicity through the Company's market newspaper and annual Fat Stock Show, both begun in 1896, resulted in a significant increase in the number of animals brought to market. The Stock Yards Co. built the area's livestock-related facilities and had controlling interest in many North Fort Worth businesses and properties.
The first five decades of the 20th Century were the most successful for the Fort Worth Stock Yards Co. During World War I, foreign governments purchased draft animals, making Fort Worth the largest horse and mule market in the world. In 1917, overall livestock market receipts reached 3,500,000 and in 1944, sales exceeded 5,000,000 head of livestock. However, by the 1950s, local auctions were drawing sellers away from this central market. Today the Fort Worth Stock Yards Co. continues as a significant part of the city's unique heritage.
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.
Erected 1986 by Texas Historical
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 32° 47.346′ N, 97° 20.8′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. Marker is at the intersection of E. Exchange Street, on the left when traveling east on E. Exchange Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 532 E Exchange Street, Fort Worth TX 76164, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Worth Livestock Exchange (here, next to this marker); Fort Worth Stockyards Horse and Mule Barns (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Quarter Horse Shows (within shouting distance of this marker); Quanah Parker (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woody-Kutch Livestock Commission Company (about 300 feet away); The Coliseum (about 400 feet away); The First Bulldogger (about 400 feet away); The Trailblazer (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.
More about this marker. Next to Fort Worth Livestock Exchange marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,228 times since then and 56 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 22, 2023, by Carolyn Sanders of Plano, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the marker and the surrounding area in context. • Can you help?
