Sundance Square in Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Fort Worth

"Where the West Begins"

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 20, 2010

1. Fort Worth Marker

Inscription. Founded June 6, 1849, as frontier post of Co. F, 2nd Dragoons, 8th Dept., U.S. Army. The commander, Maj. Ripley Arnold, named camp for his former superior officer, Maj. Gen. William Jenkins Worth. In 4 years of operations, the post had but one serious Indian encounter. A town grew up alongside the fort, as center for supply stores and stagecoach routes.

In 1856 Fort Worth became county seat of Tarrant County. A boom started after 1867 when millions of longhorns were driven through town en route to Red River Crossing and Chisholm Trail. Herds forded the Trinity below Courthouse Bluff, one block north of this site. Cowboys got supplies for the long uptrail drive and caroused in taverns and dance halls.

After railroad arrived in 1876, increased cattle traffic won city the nickname of "Cowtown".

By 1900, Fort Worth was one of world's largest cattle markets. Population tripled between 1900 and 1910. Growth continued, based on varied multimillion dollar industries of meat packing, flour milling, grain storage, oil, aircraft plants and military bases. Fort Worth also has developed as a center of culture, with universities, museums, art galleries, theatres and a botanic garden.

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2026.)

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historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1883.

Location. 32° 45.445′ N, 97° 20.066′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is in Sundance Square. Marker is at the intersection of West Belknap Street (State Highway 347 Spur) and North Houston Street (Business U.S. 287), on the right when traveling west on West Belknap Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 W Belknap St, Fort Worth TX 76102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of the First Masonic Hall in Fort Worth (here, next to this marker); The Site of Camp Worth (here, next to this marker); Tarrant County Criminal Courts Building (a few steps from this marker); Leonard Brothers Department Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fort Worth Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); First School (within shouting distance of this marker); 1784 Tarrant County 1815 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tarrant County Courthouse (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.

Also see . . . Fort Worth, TX - The Handbook of Texas Online.

Tarrant County Criminal Courts Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 20, 2010

2. Tarrant County Criminal Courts Building

Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on August 16, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)

Tarrant County Criminal Courts Building & Fort Worth Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 20, 2010

3. Tarrant County Criminal Courts Building & Fort Worth Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,077 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.