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

Blackstone Hotel

By Denise Boose, May 20, 2010

1. Blackstone Hotel Marker

(bottom plaque) The Blackstone Hotel was renovated by Historic Restoration, Inc., and reopened in 1999 as a Courtyard by Marriott.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first Art Deco skyscraper in Fort Worth, the Blackstone Hotel was erected in 1929 for wealthy cattleman C. A. “Gus” O'Keefe, who named it after a visit to the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. The St. Louis architectural firm of Mauran, Russell, and Crowell designed the structure. The city's first radio station, WBAP, once occupied the 22nd floor. A five-story annex was added in the 1950s by the Hilton Hotel chain, which occupied the building from 1952 to 1962. Featuring original sash windows, irregular setbacks and ornamental terra cotta detailing, the Blackstone Hotel remains the city's tallest pre-world War II structure. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1998

Erected 1998 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12201.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list.

Location. 32° 45.228′ N, 97° 19.837′

The Blackstone Hotel Marker next to the Stairs to Nowhere. image. Click for full size.

By Denise Boose, May 23, 2010

2. The Blackstone Hotel Marker next to the Stairs to Nowhere.

It is located just to the right of the main entrance into the hotel.

W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and East 5th Street (Texas Highway 280), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Main 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. Amon G. Carter, Sr. (1879-1955) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wild Bunch (within shouting distance of this marker); Opera Houses & Theaters (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Land Title Building (about 400 feet away); Flying Machines (about 400 feet away); Grand Hotels (about 500 feet away); First Christian Church of Fort Worth (about 600 feet away); Gamblers & Gunfights (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.

Also see . . . Blackstone Hotel (Fort Worth, Texas). Wikipedia (Submitted on February 19, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)

Stairs to Nowhere image. Click for full size.

By Denise Boose, May 20, 2010

3. Stairs to Nowhere

In 1929, the Blackstone Hotel was the first skyscraper in downtown Fort Worth. These steps once graced many legends, such as Bob Hope, Elvis, and John Wayne. Every U.S. president from Herbert Hoover to Richard Nixon once walked these stairs to the front desk and the elegant ballroom on the second floor.

Courtyard Fort Worth Downtown/Blackstone image. Click for full size.

By Denise Boose, May 21, 2010

4. Courtyard Fort Worth Downtown/Blackstone

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 618 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 18, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.