City of Fort Worth history

The community began to expand in 1856 when, by popular vote, it displaced neighbouring Birdville (now a part of suburban Haltom City) as the county seat.

The actual transfer of county offices to Fort Worth took place in 1860.

Van Zandt, a young lawyer, just out of the Confederate army and broken in health and wealth, headed west with his family to start life anew, arriving in Fort Worth in August, 1865.

Because of its proximity to the Chisholm Trail and convenience to Midwestern markets, transportation and communication played a key role in Fort Worth’s growth.A boom started after 1867 when millions of longhorns were driven through town en route to Red River Crossing and Chisholm Trail.

In the autumn of 1872, the T&P had been built to Eagle Ford, six miles west of Dallas.

In 1873, with a population of 500, the residents decided that Fort Worth should incorporate and Doctor W.P. Burts was elected mayor.

Van Zandt was elected president of the citizens’ construction company and a contract was let for the work, which began in the fall of 1875.

In any event, the first train entered Fort Worth July 19, 1876.

One line operated between Fort Worth and Fort Concho (San Angelo). In 1877, a contract was let by the Post Office Department for a line between Fort Worth and Fort Yuma, Arizona, the longest daily stage coach line in the world-approximately 1,500 miles.

The gas works were built the same year. (The gas was, of course, artificial.) By 1878, an elevator had been established, and Fort Worth began to be a grain center.

The first telephone exchange began operating in 1881, with 40 customers.

It was not until 1882 that the free school system began. (Fort Worth had had only private schools.) Also in 1882, M.P. Begley, son of a Kentucky steamboat captain, established the first of three great flour mills in Fort Worth.

Four years later, in 1885, electric lights were turned on for the first time.

The first Fat Stock Show was held in 1886 with C.C. French and Charlie McFarland, the latter from Weatherford, as leading spirits.

In 1889 the college became affiliated with the Christian Churches of Texas and was renamed AddRan Christian University.

One May night in 1890, the band concert had ended and the grand ball was about to begin.

The Continental National Bank was established in 1903 with J.G. Wilkinson as president.

The Fort Worth Gas Company was organized in 1909 and began serving 3,840 customers by means of a 90-mile pipeline from Petrolia.

Lake Worth, in northwest Fort Worth, was completed in 1916 at a cost of $1 million.

Camp Bowie was built here in 1917 at a cost of more than $3 million.

By the late summer of 1920, five others had been built, with four more under way.

Cultural pursuits included the development of the city's internationally acclaimed museum district, built alongside the Will Rogers Memorial Center, which opened in 1936, and Casa Mañana Theatre.

In 1938 alone, $11 million in projects were in progress, including the West Lancaster elevated highway and bridge; the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum and Auditorium; a new City Hall and public library; city-county Hospital; and the United States Public Health Service Hospital.

Casa Mañana would be reborn in 1958 thanks to a bond election and the support of City Council.

The next year the university reopened in Fort Worth, and it was integrated in 1964.

Alliance Airport (1988) was constructed specifically for industrial use.

The former Carswell Air Force Base was re-established in 1994 as Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.

The Texas Motor Speedway (1997), to the north of the city, is one of the nation’s largest sports facilities.

Founded in 2001, the Fort Worth Cats play their games at the LaGrave Field and is a member of an independent minor league.