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

Texas Spring Palace

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 26, 2025

1. Texas Spring Palace Marker

Inscription. Following a suggestion by General R.A. Cameron, an officer of the Fort Worth & Denver Railway, city promoters developed the idea of an annual exhibition for the display of Texas agricultural products. In 1889 they constructed the Texas Spring Palace near this site to house the exhibits. Designed by the Fort Worth firm of Armstrong and Messer, it was a two-story wooden structure featuring influences of Oriental and Moorish styles. Women's groups added ornamentation using flowers, seeds, and grasses.

On the evening of May 30, 1890, during the second season of the exhibition, a fire swept through the Spring Palace, completely destroying the structure. A number of people who crowded the building at the time had to leap from the second floor to escape the flames. Alfred S. Hayne (b. 1849), a native of England, returned to the burning Palace to help others who were still trapped inside. The only fatality of the fire, he died the next day of burns suffered in the rescue effort. In 1893 the Women's Humane Association dedicated a monument near this site in memory of his heroism and courage.

Efforts to rebuild the Texas Spring Palace failed because of economic problems in the Panic of 1893.

Erected 1980 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5272.)

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Disasters • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1890.

Location. 32° 44.782′ N, 97° 19.58′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is at the intersection of West Lancaster Avenue and Main Street, on the right when traveling east on West Lancaster Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 W Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth TX 76102, 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: Texas & Pacific Railroad Passenger Terminal (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hell's Half Acre (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Hell's Half Acre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Worth Main Post Office Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Ignatius Academy Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Saint Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Patrick's Cathedral (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Peter Smith (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.

Additional commentary.
1. Refurbished October 2025
This marker was refurbished by Chris

Texas Spring Palace Marker and Al Hayne memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 26, 2025

2. Texas Spring Palace Marker and Al Hayne memorial

Woolsey in October 2025.

— Submitted November 26, 2025, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.