Region: Prairies and Lakes
On June 16, 1849, Brevet Major Ripley Arnold set up Camp Worth on the banks of the Trinity River, at the confluence of the West and Clear forks. The outpost was named after Arnold's recently deceased former commander, Mexican War hero Gen. William Worth. Using a horse-powered sawmill and trees collected from the bottom of the Trinity River, Ripley and his dragoons constructed living quarters, a mess hall and several other buildings, making up the settlement that would later be called Fort Worth.
The 17th-largest city and still rapidly growing, Fort Worth is a destination redefined. New and renovated hotel offerings, restaurants and exciting tourism venues are enhancing the city's reputation as one of the premier leisure travel destinations in the nation. Named the No. 2 value-friendly destinations in the United States by Hotwire.com.
The Fort Worth Convention Center spans an area of 14 downtown blocks. Fort Worth calls itself the "Museum Capital of the Southwest," and it is known for world-class museums, plus live theater, concerts, opera, ballet and art galleries.
Fort Worth is home of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Tarrant County College, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center and Texas Wesleyan University.
Vast green parks and a surrounding network of major lakes offer abundant opportunities for water sports and outdoor recreation. Burnett Park, at Lamar and Texas sts., occupying land donated by cattle baron Samuel Burk Burnett, features sculptures, pools and granite walkways.
Annual events include the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and Rodeo in late January–early February; Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival in April; Mayfest in May; Texas Frontier Forts Muster in Spring; Fort Worth Symphony's Concerts in the Garden in June-July; and Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival in October.
While in Fort Worth, visitors can experience Sundance Square, one of the most dynamic downtowns in the nation; exciting Western heritage in the Stockyards National Historic District; and artistic masterpieces of Fort Worth's Cultural District.