Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas Photo by Alton Stephens on Unsplash
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Fort Worth is located on the Clear Fork of the Trinity River near its confluence with the West Fork of the Trinity in Tarrant County. It lies at 32º 46’ north latitude, 97º 18’ west longitude, putting it on the edge of the Great Plains, which explains why the eastern area of the city is part of the Cross Timbers while the western area is flat, arid prairieland.

Fort Worth began life on the grounds of an abandoned U.S. Army post (see FORT WORTH) in 1853. Local settlers moved into the empty structures on the bluff over the river and began building out into the surrounding area that was once part of the Peters Colony. They first called themselves Fort Town to distinguish their little community from the military post. They numbered less than 100. Among the pioneer settlers were Ephraim Daggett, who generously gave land for civic improvement; John Peter Smith (often referred to as the “father of Fort Worth”), who started the first school in 1854; Henry Daggett and Archibald Leonard, who opened general stores; and Julian Feild, who started a flour mill and served as the first postmaster in 1856. The little village was connected to the outside world by the U.S. mail stage line that began operation to surrounding communities in 1856, followed by the Butterfield Overland stage line two years later. In 1878 mail and passenger service from Fort Worth to Yuma, Arizona, began. The 1,560-mile route was the longest in the United States and took seventeen days to traverse one way.

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Janet Schmelzer | © TSHA

Handbook of Texas Logo

Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.

Belongs to

Fort Worth is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

Yes

Place type

Fort Worth is classified as a Town

Location

Latitude: 32.78117750
Longitude: -97.33951100

Has Post Office

Yes

Is Incorporated

Yes

Population Count, 2021 View more »

935,508

Place Type Population (Year/Source) Currently Exists
College or University Yes
College or University Yes
College or University Yes
College or University Yes

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