Quanah Parker, Bill Pickett and Jesse Chisholm are a few characters whose stories will come to life at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District in Texas. From the brick walkways to the wooden corrals, this authentic district has become a hub for students interested in the rich legacy of the Old West. The buildings are original to the early 1900s, when the city was booming from the livestock industry.
The Four Hours of Fun tour, specifically designed for student and youth groups, finds the fun in education. The experience is complete with a Historical Walking Tour and a visit to the Fort Worth Herd, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze.
“Fort Worth is the Texas you want,” said Sarah Covington, assistant director of public relations for Visit Fort Worth. “From the moment students arrive in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, you are transported to another time period. Cowboys trot by on horseback leading longhorn steers in the world’s-only, twice-daily cattle drive as visitors peruse the many street-facing storefronts. It’s truly the authentic Texan experience so many visitors crave when visiting the state for the first time.”
The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame is where students learn about the cowboy way of life and why it’s still important today. Students receive an overview of cowboy culture and vocabulary, as well as insight on its impact in everyday life.
The Cowtown Cattlepen Maze has more than 5,400 square feet of frequently changed wooden pathways, resembling the cattlepens of the Old West. Students are timed through the two-level course of twists and turns, attempting to locate checkpoints and find their way out through logical thinking.
Covington said the national historic district is undergoing a $175 million redevelopment of Mule Alley — the former mule and horse barns — to include new restaurants and entertainment in early 2020. The Hotel Drover, a Marriott Autograph Collection property, is set to open in late 2020.
“The area is a true representation of Fort Worth in the early years,” Covington said. “We want visitors to soak in this unique heritage on display, and then make their way to Fort Worth’s seven additional entertainment districts to experience the city for what it is today.”
ASK
Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
817-625-9715
fortworthstockyards.org
Visit Fort Worth
800-433-5747
fortworth.com
