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This is a view of our beautiful skyline from the banks of the Trinity River |
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Another view of our city. |
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I have been trying to decide where the aunt should live. One option for a nice, sophisticated lady would be downtown
in Sundance Square. The building in the forefront is the re-knowned Reata restaurant
with a rooftop bar. The tall building in back has apartments, some with rooftop
porches--with trees! Downtown Fort Worth is a glorious place-full of life, and beauty,
and a constant flow of life and fun. *see note below for more info about apartments in the area |
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Harris Hospital is one of the foremost hospitals in our city.
This photo does not have a larger version. |
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Greenwood is one of the most beautiful of the FW cemetaries, and the one where my husband's family is laid to rest. The lovely, tree-filled park is the final resting place of
many of the notable names of our city. Wandering among the stones, you will recognize the names of streets, buildings, and businesses. During WW I, British flyers trained here, and those killed during training accidents are buried here, with a beautiful historic marker." |
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Another view of Greenwood. |
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This is Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. The
building to the left has my favorite eating spot downstairs, Billy Miners, and apartments
upstairs. I have left many books at Billy's and recently left one on the bench at the
lower right. Just out of sight, there is a Barnes & Noble, 2 gorgeous movie theatres,
and many other things. |
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This is a close up of the apartments over Billy Miners, one of many restored buildings downtown. |
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This is the Chisholm Trail mural. If you look at the picture of Sundance, 2 lines above, you will see a building on
the right of the picture, partially hidden by a tree. This mural is painted on the far side of that building. It commemorates our history as a
major point on the famous Chisholm Trail. |
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This was built before the turn of the centure as the Knights of Columbus
meeting hall-notice the knight in shining armor in the gable. The bottom floor is now a jewelry
store, and I don't really know what is being done with the upper floors. |
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Bass
Performance is the star of downtown, in my opinion. Built about 1998, it is considered
one of the finest opera halls in the world. Notice the beautiful limestone angels soaring above downtown. The dome with the roof showing through, seen on the Bass Hall website, is only an illusion. The dome isn't clear, the sky painted on
the dome represents a Texas sky at it's best. If you look carefully, in person, you will see a falling star flashing across the sky.
Bass Hall website |
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The Sid Richardson Museum of Western Art is nestled snuggly in the heart of downtown. This free-to-the-public museum contains some excellent examples of Western art, as well as other treasures.
Museum website |
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Another view of the Performance Hall |
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The Duck Pond is located in Trinity Park, along the shores of the River. It is
one of the most peaceful places in town. There are benches to sit on, people to watch, paths
to meander, and, of course, ducks and squirrels to feed. |
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This is a better view of the pond. I left out the truck mirror this time. |
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This is the last view of the Duck Pond, I promise. I just wanted to point out the deck, which is a perfect place to stop and think, and rest. |
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Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. I really believe that this is where Jane would go in her grief. It was always my place of peace. I've been coming here for close to 40 years, and it never grows old.
My husband's family has been visiting even longer. Many of the structures were built by CCC folks during the 1930's. We have pictures of my husband's mom taken at a location in the park, and pictures of my husband and I taken in the same place-family treasures.
This picture is taken from the gazebo, overlooking the Lower gardens. I always planned to be married here, although it didn't come to pass. Maybe we will have an anniversary celebration here someday. |
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This photo was taken from the lower level, shown in the
previous picture, looking toward the gazebo. The rose gardens meander through this part of the park. I highly recommend a visit to their website for many more glorious pictures of the gardens. While you are there, look at the Japanese Gardens and the other lovely sections of the park. |
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The Amon Carter Museum of Western Art was begun to showcase the works of famed Western artists Fredrick Remington and Charles Russell.
It was recently enlarged and showcases American art. You can read more about this museum on their web site. |
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The collection at Kimbell includes the work of Matisse, Picasso, El Greco, Cezanne, and Rembrandt, among many, many others. Sister Wendy, who did the PBS series on museums around the world, called
the Kimbell one of the world's finest small museums. Their web site is here. |
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The Modern just opened the beautiful new building in December, 2002. It showcases works from 1945 to the present, including all mediums. I haven't been to the new building yet, but driving by, it is gorgeous!
The building itself is a work of art! You can find much better pictures here. |
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The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame celebrates the women who lived and helped tame the west. It is one of the most beautiful museums in town. The mural shown here
is just one example. Please visit their website for more photos of this stunning museum. The Hall of Fame honors western women from all walks of life, ranging from Narcissa Whitman,
who was the first pioneer woman to cross the Rockies, artist Georgia O'Keeffe, to Tad Lucas, 8 time World Champion Cowgirl. |
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The Stockyards functions as a living museum. As late as the 1960's (I think),the Stockyards were real stockyards with 2 major meatpackers, railyards, and of course, the yards. The area included hotels, bars, diners, and other things needed by those
involved in the business. However, times changed, the packing plants moved, and the stockyards foundered. Now, it functions as a tourist exhibit of a lost way of life. It is still home to bars, restaurants, and hotels, but on a more upscale level than those frequented by drovers. It is home to the worlds largest
honky tonk, Billy Bob's, a real, working steam engine, the Tarantula train,which makes regular excursion trips, art galleries,and home to a weekly rodeo. The Fort Worth Herd of Longhorns resides here, and twice a day, it is driven through the streets of the Stockyards by cowboys and cowgirls in authentic period garb. I took this photo on a visit there last year. No telephoto lens, you can actually stand this close as they pass by!
I could rave on for hours about the Stockyards, because it is one of my favorite places. I just got word that they are building a hotel/motel down there now, large enough for a convention, due to open in early 2005!! (subtle hint!) Oh, and I forgot the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Texas Trail of Fame. The Trail of Fame honors those who have contributed to the Western
way of life. Honorees include John Wayne, Roy and Dale, Zane Grey, and Will Rogers, among many others. Have I caught your interest yet? More info can be found here. |
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This is a postcard of the cattle drive. |
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This is a map of downtown Fort Worth. Sundance Square is right in the center. The Stockyards are just north of the courthouse and the Cultural district is about 2 miles west. |
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The Cultural District is home to many of the museums. Just to the north of the district is a neighborhood of beautiful bungalows and Craftsman homes, with a scattering of nice apartments and duplexes. I think that Arlington Heights would be the perfect setting for Jane's aunt. |
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This is the map of the Stockyards. |
