General
- Grew from a military camp established at close of Mexican War by General Winfield Scott, and named for General William Jenkins Worth who saw action in that war. Forty-two men of Company F, 2nd Dragoons, established the camp on June 6, 1849. The Fort Worth to Yuma, AZ, stage line was started in 1850, and the town that grew up became the seat of Tarrant County in 1860. After the War Between the States, fort Worth became a major shipping and supply depot for cattlemen.

Today Fort Worth is one of the state's major cities with a wide range of industries including Lockheed, American Airlines, and Burlington Northern.

The impressive Fort Worth/Tarrant County convention Center spans an area of 14 downtown blocks. fort Worth calls itself the "Museum Capital of the southwest" and is known for an outstanding group of museums, plus a season of summer musicals, winter theater, symphony concerts, opera, ballet, and art galleries.

Vast green parks and a surrounding lakes offer many opportunities for water sports and outdoor fun. Burnett Park at Lamar and Texas Sts., on land donated by a cattle baron features four sculptures by Henri Matisse entitled "Backs" - each sculpture features a back; a restful spot with fountains, pools and granite walkways.

The calendar is filled with events such as the Southwestern Exposition and Live Stock Show and Rodeo in late Jan. -early Feb. (one of the nation's best); Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival in April; Mayfest in May; Chisholm Trail Roundup and Chief Quanah Park Comanche Pow Wow in June; Pioneer Days in Sept.; and Oktoberfest in Oct.

Amon Carter Museum - Fabulous collection of pictures, sculptures, books and objects of American art, featuring perma the cultural district; open daily. Entrance to botanical gardens free; fee for conservatory. for information call 817/871-7686.

Casa Manana Playhouse - Under geodesic dome, one of nation's most notable theaters in the round. setting for > drama, musical comedies. 3101 Lancaster. For Schedule, tickets and shows call 817/871-7686.

Cattleman's Museum - History of the colorful Texas ranching portrayed in film, photos and cowboy memorabilia. Open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Downtown at 1301 West 7th St. For additional information, call 817/332-7064.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History/ Omni Theater - 100,000 artifacts and specimens for research and exhibition. Traveling exhibits and permanent areas include man and His Possessions, Human Physiology, History of Medicine, Calculators and Computers, Geology and Paleontology, and Texas History. The Omni Theater's curved screen engulfs the viewer's entire field of vision to plunge beneath the ocean, soar beyond the clouds or to witness the awesome launch of a space shuttle. 59 varying shows a week.

Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge - Growing from 35 acre Greer Island Nature Center, current 3,500 acre refuge offers interpretive center, hiking and self guided nature trails. Bison wander intermingled with white-tailed deer. Open Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m.; 10 miles northwest of downtown (2 miles past Lake Worth bridge) on Texas 199. for information call 817/237-1111.

Fort Worth Zoo - Mammals, birds and reptiles from around the world. The Fort Worth zoo has been selected one of the top five zoos in America. Featured exhibits in this beautiful park include: African Savannah, Texas!, Herpatarium, Asian Falls, World of Primates, Raptor Canyon and Asian Rhino Ridge. Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; extended hours seasonally. at Forest Park in the cultural district. Admission. For information call 817/871-7050.

Japanese Garden - An enchanting six acre garden of oriental design featuring a pagoda, moon viewing deck, teahouse, and meditation garden amid lush exotic plants. Open Nov. - March, Tues. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; April - Oct. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. At 3220 Botanic Garden Dr. in Cultural District. Admission.

Kimbell Art Museum - Based on philanthropist Kay Kimbell's collection of 18th Century portraits and old masters, the museum now includes works from prehistoric to Picasso. The Kimbell is also famous for the beautiful structure of the building designed by architect Louis Kahn. The interior offers unexcelled lighting and display areas for the permanent exhibits and touring shows. Open Tues. - Thurs. & Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday noon - 8 p.m.; Sun. noon - 5 p.m.; closed holidays. 3333 Camp bowie blvd. in the Cultural District.

Log Cabin Village - Seven authentic pioneer homes built during the 1850's. Frontier tools, implements, furnishings. Open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In Cultural district at University Drive and Colonial Parkway in Forest Park. Admission.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth - painting and sculpture by contemporary artists; special traveling exhibits. Open Tues. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun. noon - 5 p.m. 1309 Montgomery St., Amon Carter Square. in the Cultural District.

Sid Richardson Collection of Western Art - Free downtown museum featuring 55 paintings from the collection of a late Texas oilman. Museum features Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. Open Tues. - Wed. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Thurs. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sun. 1 - 5 p.m. Closed holidays 309 Main Street in Sundance Square.

Stockyards Championship Rodeo - Professional cowboys and cowgirls compete most Saturday nights April - September in air-conditioned comfort of the Cowtown Coliseum in the Stockyards. Also features Pawnee Bill's Wild West show. In the National Historic District at 123 East Exchange. For information call 817/625-1025.

Stockyards Collection & Museum - Photos and memorabilia fromnent collections of Remington and Russell, plus frequent traveling exhibits. In the Cultural district; open Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m. At 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.

Billy Bob's Texas - World's largest honky-tonk with 4,800 sq.-ft. rodeo area, 600 feet of bar rails, a 1,650 sq. ft. stage for country/Western entertainment with top stars, shops, games and restaurants. 2520 Rodeo Plaza. For information call 817/624-7117. In Stockyards national Historic District; open daily; hours vary.

Botanical garden - A showcase of 150,000 living plants representing 2,500 species, displayed in both formal and natural settings. 10,000 sq.-ft. glass conservatory planted with more than 2,500 tropical plants native to Central and South America. Conservatory open Apr. - Oct. Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., sun. 1 - 6 p.m.; Nov. - March, same hours but park closes at 4 p.m. on Sat. & Sun. In wooded southwestern section of Trinity Park. Conservatory at 3220 Botanic Dr. in early stockyard days, including sections on the Swift and Armour packing companies. Small railroad display emphasizes connection with stockyard. women's area features crown and scepter of 1920 Stock show Queen. Other memorabilia from Centennial and Sesquicentennial. Open Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. In Livestock Exchange Building at 131 East Exchange Avenue.

Stockyards National Historic District - Feel the Old West recaptured by merchants along Exchange Avenue on city's North Side. Restaurants, shops and galleries feature a variety of Western and Native American crafts. 140 Exchange Ave.

A Visitors Information Center provides details about area features, shopping and dining opportunities, along with Cowtown rodeo schedule. For more information call 817/624-4741.

Water Garden - Spectacular park features water in all its aspects - sparkling, gurgling, bubbling, flowing, sprinkling, pouting - fountains, channels, cascades and pools amid a myriad of geometric shapes and architectural features. Adjacent to convention center downtown.

Will Roger Memorial Center - Complex is is site of fort Worth's Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, and one of the nation's premiere equestrian centers. Mounted statue of Will Rogers, famous cowboy humorist, is mounted on entrance grounds. In Cultural District at Amon Carter Square. For information call 817/871-8150.

Visitor Centers - The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau operates visitors centers offering abundant details about local events, accommodations, dining and points of interest. Visit the information center at 415 Throckmorton in the historic Sanger Building in Sundance Square, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri., or in Stockyard National historic District at 130 Exchange Ave. Open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sun. noon - 6 p.m.