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

Early Site of Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show

Photographed by Brian Anderson, May 18, 2025

1. Early Site of Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Marker

Inscription. Fort Worth became an important trading and supply depot in the 1870s for Texas cattlemen driving herds to Northern markets. With the convergence of several railroads here in the 1870s and 1880s stockyard facilities began to appear along the railroad lines.

In 1893 Boston investors purchased the Stockyards and organized the Fort Worth Stock Yards Company. The Company held the first livestock show at nearby Marine Creek in March 1896. The show's initial sucess was due mainly to the participation of members of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association (TCRA) whose Annual Meeting in Fort Worth coincided with the Show.

The Fort Worth Stock Yards Company built an impressive livestock exchange building in 1903. In 1908, with the help of Armour & Co., Swift & Co., and TCRA members, the National Feeders and Breeders Show opened here in new Coliseum facilities. The show offered a variety of events including a cutting horse competition and a horse show. A Wild West show was added in 1916.

The show, renamed Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in 1918, developed into a premier rodeo, livestock, and exhibition event. In 1943

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the facilities were converted for U.S. military purposes and in 1944 the Show relocated to a site in west Fort Worth.

Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1355.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1896.

Location. 32° 47.508′ N, 97° 20.879′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is on Stockyards Boulevard east of Rodeo Plaza, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2520 Rodeo Plaza, 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: Woody-Kutch Livestock Commission Company

Photographed by Brian Anderson, May 18, 2025

2. Early Site of Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); The Fort Worth Stock Yards Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Worth Livestock Exchange (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Coliseum (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Bulldogger (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Worth Stock Yards Entrance (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thannisch Block Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Worth Stockyards Horse and Mule Barns (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Early Quarter Horse Shows (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show: A Historical Overview - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on May 23, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, November 9, 2025

3. Early Site of Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3. submitted on November 9, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.