When you walk the streets, it makes you feel like a cowboy. The Stockyards in Fort Worth are worth a trip for anyone who loves nightlife, Texas history, and unique shopping.
Mid-December found me and my family at the Stockyards Hotel for a Christmas party. Historic all in itself, the Stockyards Hotel opened in 1907 and its spacious lobby is smartly appointed with art and furniture that creates a distinctly western feel. While we didn’t stay at the hotel, our dinner was catered by the in-house restaurant and was fantastic.
While it wasn’t our first trip to the Stockyards, we were back again to reacquaint ourselves with the main strip that lies a couple of miles north of downtown Fort Worth. We arrived three hours before the party to walk around and explore the shops and sights along the old brick streets.
When we first got out of the car, a trio of cowboys ceremoniously moved a small string of longhorn cattle from the end of the street where the old Swift meat plant once processed millions of pounds of beef annually. Each day, the cattle are moved up and down the street for the benefit of tourist who flock to the area to soak up the Old West ambiance. Cattle moving through the area isn’t new, however. From 1866 to 1890 more than four million head of cattle passed through Fort Worth on their way to the northern markets up the Chisholm Trail.
When the railroad arrived in Fort Worth in 1876, the town became the terminus for livestock and in 1887, the Union Stockyards were built and began accepting cattle. In the early 20th century Armour & Company and Swift & Company began processing cattle. Soon thereafter, the Livestock Exchange Building was built to house the various commission companies and other business who were a part of the area’s livestock industry. In 1908, the Cowtown Coliseum was constructed and provides a venue for wild west shows and rodeos even today.
Along the street on Saturday afternoon, the atmosphere is carnival-like. The main street through the National Historic District is lined with restaurants and nightclubs. Along the street is a vintage railroad that is still in operation, a cattle pen maze, a chance to set on and have your picture made on the back of a longhorn and street musicians - two of which I listened to reminded me of the early Dixie Chicks (pre Natalie Maines).
For the hours leading up to the Christmas party we shopped in antique stores, looked at furniture for our home, and pursued a western wear store. In all it was great and inexpensive fun.
After the Christmas party we were walking to our vehicle under the Christmas lights above the street when my daughter admitted, “I just love the Stockyards.”
She speaks for all of us.
Any questions or comments? Contact Russell at russell@russellgraves.com or visit his website at www.russellgraves.com