{"id":759,"date":"2015-02-22T21:12:25","date_gmt":"2015-02-22T21:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusonthebackroads.com\/?p=759"},"modified":"2015-02-22T21:14:34","modified_gmt":"2015-02-22T21:14:34","slug":"focus-on-the-backroads-fort-worth-texas-where-the-west-begins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusonthebackroads.com\/?p=759","title":{"rendered":"FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS – FORT WORTH TEXAS: Where the west begins"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"From its beginning as an outpost to protect settlers from the indian tribes, through the cattle and oil boom, to current times as a corporate center, the city of Fort Worth<\/strong> has been through many changes but has managed to preserve much of its deep rooted heritage.<\/p>\n

In January1849, General William Worth proposed building ten forts to designate where the west Texas frontier began – stretching tom Eagle Pass to \u00a0the West Fork and Clear Fork of the Trinity River. \u00a0General Worth died of cholera on May 7, 1849. \u00a0General William Harney assumed General Worths position. \u00a0Under General Harney’s orders, on June 6, 1849, a post was established \u00a0on the banks of the Trinity River and named \u00a0Camp Worth in honor of General Worth. \u00a0The U.S. War Department \u00a0officially granted the name “Fort<\/strong> Worth<\/strong>” to the post on November 14, 1849.<\/p>\n

Although there were still threats from local tribes, people immediately began settling in the area. \u00a0New forts were eventually established further west. \u00a0The U.S. evacuated Fort<\/strong> Worth<\/strong> in September of 1853. \u00a0The local settlers to possession of the fort site. \u00a0The first school was opened in 1854 with 12 students. \u00a0Julian Field opened a flour mill and general store in 1856. \u00a0Fort Worth also became the western terminal for the Butterfield Overland Mail and the Souther Pacific Stage Line – on their journey west to California. \u00a0Fort Worth<\/strong> became know as Where the West Begins.<\/em><\/p>\n

In 1860 it became the county seat of Tarrant County. \u00a0The population at the time was 5,170. \u00a0At the time there were 850 slaves in Fort Worth<\/strong>. \u00a0The citizens of Tarrant County voted for disunion with the North. \u00a0The Civil War and Reconstruction was almost the end of Fort Worth<\/strong>. \u00a0The city’s population dropped as low 175 people. \u00a0Fort Worth<\/strong> slowly recovered until years later the booming cattle industry accelerated Fort Worth’s growth. \u00a0The city became a major resting place for cowboys driving their cattle along the Chisolm Trail to Kansas. \u00a0Many of the major cattle buyers in the north established headquarters in Fort Worth<\/strong> which became know as Cowtown.\u00a0<\/em> In 1873 Fort Worth<\/strong> was incorporated \u00a0with a major-city council government. \u00a0In 1876, the Texas and Pacific Railway arrived in Fort Worth<\/strong>, \u00a0the Fort Worth Stockyards became one of the premier centers for the U.S. cattle industry.<\/p>\n

In the early 1900, Fort Worth’s<\/strong> economy was boasted further because of oil exploration in surrounding towns. \u00a0The city was centrally located, by 1920 there were 12 oil refineries in Fort Worth<\/strong>. \u00a0During both World War I and World War II the city population grew because of airfields and training bases locate there.<\/p>\n

Today Fort Worth’s<\/strong> population exceeds 700,000 and it is the 17th largest city in the United States. \u00a0It is a center for aerospace, energy, banking, entertainment and other major industries. \u00a0Fort Worth<\/strong> also is home to several world class art museums including the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Kimbell Art Museum, the Sid Richardson Museum and others.<\/p>\n

From it’s humble beginnings as an outpost\u00a0to its current status as a major metropolitan area – Fort Worth<\/strong> continues to be proud to be know as THE TOWN OF THE COW.<\/p>\n

A few of the many things to do while visiting Fort Worth<\/strong> and the surround area: (way to many to mention them all)<\/p>\n