Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Founding Fort Worth
Photographed by QuesterMark, July 31, 2016
1. Founding Fort Worth Marker
Major General William J. Worth was the commanding officer of the eighth military district including Texas and Mexico. His responsibility was to maintain peace between settlers and the plains Indians. His plan was to establish a new post on the Trinity River to extend the line of defense. Worth died suddenly of cholera and did not get to see his plan come to light. Major Ripley Arnold was given the duty of establishing a fort by the acting commander, General Harney. This site would close the gap between the Brazos and Red Rivers. Arnolds dragoons met with Col. Middleton Tate Johnson, a citizen with great influence, at the rangers station on Marrow Bone Springs. Along with Johnson were Joseph R. Parker, Dr. William B. Echols, Charles Turner and Simon Farrar. Along with his five guides, Arnold and his men set out to locate the ideal site for the new fort.
The barracks of the fort were first located at the present-day site of the Tarrant County Courthouse. The land was described by Simon Farrar as “the most beautiful and grand country the sun had ever shone on in view of all advantages of a natural point of defense.” After learning that Major General Worth, a hero in the recent Mexican War, had passed away, it was relatively easy for Arnold to name the new post after him even though he never saw the place named in his honor. Remembering his part in the founding of Fort Worth, Farrar stated in 1893, “it is the prayer and wish of your humble correspondent that Fort Worth may be the capital of northwest Texas, for I have at all times entertained great confidence in the people of Fort Worth.”
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17361.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles
this page online
Location. 32° 45.522′ N, 97° 20.229′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is on North Taylor Street north of Franklin Street, on the right when traveling north. This marker stands in Heritage Park, near Ripley Arnold Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 360-398 North Taylor Street, 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: The Fort (a few steps from this marker); Ripley Allen Arnold (a few steps from this marker); First School (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Fort Worth Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Steel's Tavern Oaks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Paddock Viaduct
Photographed by QuesterMark, July 31, 2016
2. Founding Fort Worth Marker in Heritage Park
More about this marker. This marker was not originally built to be post-mounted. A custom post and mount was made for it.
Library of Congress
3. W.J. Worth,
Brigadier General, U.S. Army
Brigadier General, U.S. Army
Lithograph “From Life on Stone” by Charles Fenderich, 1844 - L.C. Division of Prints.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2016, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,074 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2016, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. 3. submitted on January 19, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
