Site of Camp Worth and Fort Worth Historical Markers
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Three historical markers are located at this corner just outside the Tarrant County Criminal Courts Building: The Site of Camp Worth; Fort Worth; and Site of the First Masonic Hall in Fort Worth (see below for more information).
Images
Fort Worth
The Site of Camp Worth
Site of the First Masonic Hall in Fort Worth
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The first two markers pertain to the city's founding and growth. Fort Worth was founded on June 6, 1849, when Maj. Ripley S. Arnold established a military outpost here as part of a larger plan to establish ten forts along the western Texas frontier. Arnold named the fort in honor of General William Jenkins Worth (1794-1849), who developed this plan but died after being stricken with cholera (he served with distinction during the Mexican-American War [1846-1848]). The city grew around the fort.
Fort Worth's Masons organized themselves in 1854 and were officially chartered in 1855. They rented space before constructing their own building, a two-story structure, located at this site in 1857. It was made of red brick and had a bell tower. Lodge functions took place on the second floor and the first floor was divided into rooms used for a public school, church services, and public meetings. The Masons moved out in 1878 after the building became too small, and it is not clear when the building was demolished.
Fort Worth's Masons organized themselves in 1854 and were officially chartered in 1855. They rented space before constructing their own building, a two-story structure, located at this site in 1857. It was made of red brick and had a bell tower. Lodge functions took place on the second floor and the first floor was divided into rooms used for a public school, church services, and public meetings. The Masons moved out in 1878 after the building became too small, and it is not clear when the building was demolished.
Sources
"Fort Worth, 'Where the West Begins'." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed May 16, 2019. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=52714.
Schmelzer, Janet. "Fort Worth, TX." Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed May 16, 2019. https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hdf01.
"The Site of Camp Worth." The Historical Marker Database." Accessed May 16, 2019. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=52717.
"Site of the First Masonic Hall in Fort Worth." The Historical Marker Database." Accessed May 16, 2019. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=52716.
Photos: The Historical Marker Database
Schmelzer, Janet. "Fort Worth, TX." Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed May 16, 2019. https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hdf01.
"The Site of Camp Worth." The Historical Marker Database." Accessed May 16, 2019. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=52717.
"Site of the First Masonic Hall in Fort Worth." The Historical Marker Database." Accessed May 16, 2019. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=52716.
Photos: The Historical Marker Database