The effective combination of history and culture has proven to create incredible economic opportunities when it comes to enabling genuine experiences for a variety of people. Examples of what this can look like are available all over the world, but there are few places that have been able to create these opportunities more effectively than the Stockyards National Historic District in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Stockyards National Historic District celebrates the history of the area while also transforming it with authentic experiences and cowboy collectibles that appeal to both residents and tourists. In doing so, the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District has become a genuine monument for a culture of Texas and the West that has been able to attract audiences from across the world.
From Cowtown to Boomtown
Between 1866 and 1890 more than four million head of cattle were trailed through Fort Worth, which was soon known as “Cowtown.” Once the railroad arrived, a need for a place where cattle, sheep, and hogs could be bought, sold and slaughtered was identified, which saw the creation of the Fort Worth Stockyards Company.
The livestock market that drew local farmers and ranchers was a tremendous success. It was such a success that the need for an indoor show facility became evident. In 1907 construction began on a grand coliseum, which today is known as the Cowtown Coliseum, and was the home of the first indoor rodeo. The success of the Stockyard continued for decades, up to and through World War II, when Fort Worth Stockyards processed 5,277,496 head of livestock in 1944.
Eventually though, the Stockyards began to decline. New ways of shipping and marketing livestock took their toll, and by 1986, sales reached an all-time low of 57,181 animals. Weekly livestock auctions no longer take place at the Stockyards, but special breed events and sales including Longhorn auctions still take place. Additionally, many thousands of head of cattle are still sold in the Stockyards every week via video/satellite sales originating in the Exchange Building.
Ensuring that Fort Worth’s livestock heritage would continue and be preserved resulted in a concerted effort to capitalize on the “Cowtown” image of Fort Worth. It meant the creation of saloons and stores that represented this heritage, but also saw a large portion of the Stockyards district listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District in 1976. That was the beginning of a transformation of the Fort Worth Stockyards into one of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations.
Celebrating Fort Worth’s Livestock Heritage
Being able to effectively preserve Fort Worth’s livestock heritage was a multi-faceted endeavor, but nowhere is that more evident than in the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive, which is held every day at 11:30 AM & 4:00 PM in the Fort Worth Stockyards. There’s truly nothing like seeing a herd of cattle up close, and the massive horns of the animals look as if they’re going to hit one another at practically every step. The drovers and cattle are calm and serene throughout the entire process though, allowing participants on both sides of the street to capture as many pictures as they want.
That livestock heritage can also be seen in the literal pieces of history that are spread across the Stockyards Historic District, many of which are called out on dedicated plaques. Those pieces of history range from a marker celebrating the establishment of the Fort Worth Belt Railway to the Fort Worth Livestock Exchange to the Coliseum. Additionally, the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, as well as the Stockyards Museum, are open on a daily basis for visitors.
This heritage isn’t just about livestock though, as it extends to the culture that the original cattle drivers in the area represented. There’s no better place to see this culture than in the names honored on the Texas Trail of Fame, which is spread across the Stockyards National Historic District. Like other famous Walks of Fame, the Texas Trail of Fame honors specific individuals, but it does so for ones who have made major contributions to the creation and/or preservation of the western way of life and western heritage. Inductees range from Gene Autry to Jim Wright, and visitors can pose for pictures and even nominate someone for induction.
These experiences have greatly influenced the economy and culture of the Stockyards National Historic District that draws in audiences from across Texas and the entire country.
Cattle Culture and Cowboy Collectibles
When it comes to the “cattle culture” that the Stockyards National Historic District is designed to capture, it doesn’t take much more than a look at the steer icons and old west décor to see this culture reflected and represented. However, the effort to genuinely capture this culture goes deeper, and can be seen in pieces of art like the one dedicated to the first bulldogger, W.M. “Bill” Pickett, as well as murals and plaques on display throughout the Stockyards, celebrate this history and culture in far more direct ways.
It can also be seen in the Cowtown Coliseum events that take place throughout the year, which range from Wild West Shows to rodeos. The Cowtown Cattlepen Maze and a ride on the Grapevine Heritage Railroad also provide visitors of all-ages with a way to experience this culture.
These events are tied to the tremendous economic opportunities that the Stockyards National Historic District is designed to enable, which can be seen with events like “Sippin & Shoppin” that are held every third Thursday of the month. They can also be seen in the concerts held at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk. Additionally, visitors can purchase countless items for sale that are designed to provide visitors with just about any piece of cowboy collectible they ever could want.
These economic opportunities aren’t just about an item for purchase though. Drovers from the cattle drive are available before and after each cattle drive for photos and questions, while a variety of other performers entertain crowds with everything from mock gunfights to chances to pose for a picture on a live animal.
All of these opportunities and experiences go back to the effort to preserve Fort Worth’s livestock heritage that has created a legacy for the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District that’s about something much bigger.
Defining “Where the West Begins”
The city of Fort Worth is sometimes referenced to as the place “Where the West Begins,” and the Stockyards National Historic District embraces this identity in numerous ways. Whether or not Fort Worth truly is “Where the West Begins” is secondary to the experiences and opportunities that have been created at the Stockyards National Historic District, all of which stem from an effort to preserve the history of the area.
