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

Douglass and McGar Parks

Photographed by QuesterMark, July 22, 2017

1. Douglass and McGar Parks Texas Historical Marker

Inscription. From the late 1800's, through the 1920's, during a time of Jim Crow segregation, Douglass and McGar Parks served as recreational grounds for African Americans in Fort Worth. In 1895 Thomas Mason, an African-American entrepreneur, with J.D. Johnson and A. Sumlin, purchased land in the Trinity River Bottoms. The property soon became known as Douglass Park (about 300 yards south), named for abolitionist Frederick Douglass. That same year, the park hosted a Juneteenth Celebration; this became an annual event that thousands attended. The city commissioned a special officer to patrol Douglass Park. Many noted black churches used the property, as did the Prince Hall Masons, who built a lodge on it. In 1918, Fort Worth's Park Board purchased Douglass Park; despite an attempt to revitalize the park, it fell into disrepair and in 1925, the Texas Electric Service Company purchased the property and oficially closed it.

Douglass Park led directly to the creation of another African-American park. Crowds who gathered at Douglass Park to watch Negro baseball teams play became so large that the games moved to the Texas & Pacific Ballpark, which sat on a railroad right of way across) North Main Street. The ballpark was upgraded between 1907 and 1909 and changed names to McGar Park (McGar's Field), after businessman Hiram McGar. Both black and white fans came to watch McGar's Wonders (later the Black Panthers) play. Industrial development, the 1922 flood and other factors led up to the demise of the Park during the 1920's. Today, no remnant remains of the Parks, though they continue to be remembered as vital community institutions for Fort Worth African American Americans in the early 20th Century. Marker is Property of the State of Texas

Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15744.)

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports.

Location. 32° 46.156′ N, 97° 20.291′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is at the intersection of Calhoun Street and NE 7th Street, on the right when traveling north on Calhoun Street. This marker stands next to the flagpole, outside of the stadium at La Grave Field, now closed. One cannot access the marker directly. It must been seen from outside of the fence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 NE 6th Street, Fort Worth TX 76164, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Garvey-Veihl House (approx. 0.4 miles

Douglass and McGar Parks Marker at LaGrave Field image. Click for full size.

Photographed by QuesterMark, July 22, 2017

2. Douglass and McGar Parks Marker at LaGrave Field

away); Racial Terror Lynching in America / Racial Terror Lynching of Mr. Fred Rouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); William Madison McDonald (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pioneer's Rest Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); General Edward H. Tarrant (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hagar Tucker (approx. 0.6 miles away); General Thomas N. Waul, C.S.A. (approx. 0.6 miles away); Governor Charles A. Culberson (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2017, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,705 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2017, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.