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
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Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.
Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2032.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 32° 47.353′ N, 97° 20.807′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is at the intersection of East Exchange Avenue and Rodeo Plaza, on the left when traveling east on East Exchange Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 131 E Exchange Ave, 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:
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, November 9, 2025
2. The Fort Worth Stock Yards Company Marker
Marker is on the left; Fort Worth Livestock Exchange marker (2029) is on the right.
Other markers no longer nearby. Early Quarter Horse Shows (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Fort Worth Stockyards Hog and Sheep Markets (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); The Trailblazer (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing); America's First Horse (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. Next to Fort Worth Livestock Exchange marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,205 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on May 31, 2025, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on April 22, 2023, by Carolyn Sanders of Plano, Texas. 2. submitted on November 9, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
