Fort Worth has earned its place in history as the birthplace of western movies and a home for historic ranches. Illuminate your resident or tourist’s mind with these little-known facts about Fort Worth, TX!

Geographical Facts

It is in fifth place for being the most significant state in Texas and the nation’s 12th-largest city.

It serves as Tarrant’s administrative center, roughly over 350 square miles (910 km).

Fort Worth’s population is 874,168.

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the largest airport in Texas and the 2nd largest airport in the U.S.

Fort Worth, Texas, has 342.2 square miles of land and 7.0 square miles of water.

Historical Facts

The city was named after General William Jenkins Worth, who fought in the Mexican-American War.

The city was founded as an army station on a hill overlooking the Trinity River in 1849.

In 1890, Fort Worth became the home of Texas Christian University (TCU).

Magnolia Petroleum Company began drilling for oil in 1902 on the banks of Clear Creek near downtown Fort Worth. The first well produced 100 barrels per day at a depth of 1,200 feet, more than any other well in North Texas at that time.

The city is known as “Cowtown” because it was once home to many cattle drives.

Pop Culture Scene

One of Bonnie and Clyde’s hideouts in the 1920s from the law was the historic Stockyards Hotel in Fort Worth. The hotel is open today and offers tourists an opportunity to stay in the hotel room.

American singer-songwriter John Denver graduated from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth in 195.

Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of the popular T.V. reality show American Idol, was born in Fort Worth on April 24th, 1982.

“Texas Our Texas,” written by Fort Worth-based composer William J. Marsh and another lyricist, was declared the state anthem in 1931.

Walker, Texas Ranger is a television show from 1993 to 2001. It starred Chuck Norris as a Texas Ranger who fought crime. While some of the show was filmed in Dallas, portions of it were filmed throughout Fort Worth.

Attractions in Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Zoo is the oldest in Texas, operating since 1909, and one of the largest in the United States. Today, it has more than 2,300 animals.

The Fort Worth Stockyards Museum offers visitors a look at how cowboys used to work. The American Longhorn Museum shows the history of bovines. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors women who have made a difference in ranching, rodeo, and western art.

The Texas Civil War Museum, built in an old firehouse in 1912, is the only museum dedicated to studying and preserving this era.

The Texas Motor Speedway has hosted an IndyCar race since 2001 and NASCAR races since 1997.

Kimbell Art Museum contains the most prominent art collections outside Europe and North America. It houses more than 17,000 objects, including paintings and sculptures by artists such as Michelangelo, Rubens, and Picasso.