Fort Worth

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Juneteenth photos in Fort Worth since the 1970s

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Opal Lee

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FORT WORTH

Here’s a look back at how people in Fort Worth celebrated Juneteenth over the decades, before it became a federal holiday in 2021, thanks in large part to Opal Lee’s activism. The 1975 celebration in Sycamore Park had more than 30,000 people attend.

Miss Juneteenth Precious Maku waves at the crowd during the Como Day Parade on Monday, July 5, 2021, in Fort Worth.
Miss Juneteenth Precious Maku waves at the crowd during the Como Day Parade on Monday, July 5, 2021, in Fort Worth. Yffy Yossifor yyossifor@star-telegram.com
Organizers for the 1975 Juneteenth festivities to be held in Sycamore Park are seen posing with a Juneteenth Festival sign.
Organizers for the 1975 Juneteenth festivities to be held in Sycamore Park are seen posing with a Juneteenth Festival sign. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Fans of the Ernest McGhee Band are led in the Fort Worth Juneteenth parade festivities by his brother, Joe McGhee, in 1983.
Fans of the Ernest McGhee Band are led in the Fort Worth Juneteenth parade festivities by his brother, Joe McGhee, in 1983. Ron T. Ennis Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Lisa Jackson, 7, joins in the Juneteenth celebration at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth with a ride in a swing in 1977.
Lisa Jackson, 7, joins in the Juneteenth celebration at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth with a ride in a swing in 1977. Vince Heptig Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Mary Lane, second from right, sits under an umbrella with her son, Jeremy Hall, and Charity Lemma during Juneteenth activities at Hillside Park in Fort Worth in 1990.
Mary Lane, second from right, sits under an umbrella with her son, Jeremy Hall, and Charity Lemma during Juneteenth activities at Hillside Park in Fort Worth in 1990. Eric Williams Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Amid concerns of the spread of the novel coronavirus, Stern Ferguson wears a mask during a drive through Juneteenth 2020 celebration in Dallas, Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Amid concerns of the spread of the novel coronavirus, Stern Ferguson wears a mask during a drive through Juneteenth 2020 celebration in Dallas, Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed. (AP Photo/LM Otero) LM Otero AP
Clarence Walker, left, tapes up a sign at a Juneteenth celebration in 1989 that drew hundreds in Fort Worth. Looking on is Glen Holt. The sign reads “Happy Juneteenth from the Minority Caucus, Fort Worth, Texas, June 1989” and to the right there is a CWA logo for the Communications Workers of America; 1989-06-17 [FWST photographer Mark Gail]
Clarence Walker, left, tapes up a sign at a Juneteenth celebration in 1989 that drew hundreds in Fort Worth. Looking on is Glen Holt. Mark Gail Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Pickup truck carrying people that was seen following the Junior Debutantes of Fort Worth in the Juneteenth parade. They are seen carrying the sign that reads “The Big Day is June 19.” 1990-06-16 [FWST photographer Jerry W. Hoefer]
A pickup in a 1990 celebration of Juneteenth in Fort Worth. Jerry W. Hoefer Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Otis D. Carr, 18 months old, attending Juneteenth festivities at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1986.
Otis D. Carr, 18 months old, attending Juneteenth festivities at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1986. Jerry W. Hoefer Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Carla Geiger, front, and Sheila Hall wave to the crowd watching a 1988 Juneteenth parade along Rosedale Street in Fort Worth.
Carla Geiger, front, and Sheila Hall wave to the crowd watching a 1988 Juneteenth parade along Rosedale Street in Fort Worth. Joe D. WIlliams Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Boy Scout John Rawls leads a group of Scouts in the Juneteenth parade along Rosedale Street in Fort Worth in 1988.
Boy Scout John Rawls leads a group of Scouts in the Juneteenth parade along Rosedale Street in Fort Worth in 1988. Joe D. Williams Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
A child rides a miniature pony during Juneteenth festivities at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1985.
A child rides a miniature pony during Juneteenth festivities at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1985. Norm Tindell Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
A group of men play dominoes during Juneteenth festivities at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1985
A group of men play dominoes during Juneteenth festivities at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1985 Norm Tindell Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Juneteenth parade in Fort Worth in 1985
Juneteenth parade in Fort Worth in 1985 Rodger Mallison Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Juneteenth parade participants in Fort Worth in 1985
Juneteenth parade participants in Fort Worth in 1985 Rodger Mallison Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Juneteenth parade participants in Fort Worth in 1985.
Juneteenth parade participants in Fort Worth in 1985. Rodger Mallison Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Dwight “Cowboy” Edmon pulls his motorcycle out of the 1985 Juneteenth parade in Fort Worth to watch. Riding in the background behind Edmon is John “Weed Hopper” Smith, vice president of the United Bikers.
Dwight “Cowboy” Edmon pulls his motorcycle out of the 1985 Juneteenth parade in Fort Worth to watch. Riding in the background behind Edmon is John “Weed Hopper” Smith, vice president of the United Bikers. Rodger Mallison Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Juneteenth parade participants on horseback in the 1983 celebration in Fort Worth
Juneteenth parade participants on horseback in the 1983 celebration in Fort Worth Ron T. Ennis Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Lenora Rolla, founder of the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society, speaks at a podium during 1984’s Juneteenth festivities at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth.
Lenora Rolla, founder of the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society, speaks at a podium during 1984’s Juneteenth festivities at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth. Joe Giron Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Attendees of Juneteenth parade festivities in Fort Worth in 1983.
Attendees of Juneteenth parade festivities in Fort Worth in 1983. Ron T. Ennis Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Teresa Blackburn, left, Dee Cooper and Sharon Bell, clap their hands to the music during the 1983 Juneteenth Blues Festival at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth. The concert, which featured Chicago bluesman Byther “Smitty” Smith, was the first of a weekend-long series of events for Juneteenth.
Teresa Blackburn, left, Dee Cooper and Sharon Bell, clap their hands to the music during the 1983 Juneteenth Blues Festival at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth. The concert, which featured Chicago bluesman Byther “Smitty” Smith, was the first of a weekend-long series of events for Juneteenth. Joe Giron Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Fort Worth photographer Calvin Littlejohn is seen on a bridge documenting Juneteenth parade festivities on his Graflex camera in 1983.
Fort Worth photographer Calvin Littlejohn is seen on a bridge documenting Juneteenth parade festivities on his Graflex camera in 1983. Ron T. Ennis Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Musical entertainers are seen performing on a stage before a crowd at the Juneteenth celebration in Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1982.
Musical entertainers are seen performing on a stage before a crowd at the Juneteenth celebration in Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1982. Paul Moseley Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
A young girl prepares a sign for a face painting station for the Juneteenth festivities in Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1981.
A young girl prepares a sign for a face painting station for the Juneteenth festivities in Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1981. Norm Tindell Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Miss NAACP is seen riding on the hood of a car driving along Main Street in downtown Fort Worth for the Juneteenth parade in 1978.
Miss NAACP is seen riding on the hood of a car driving along Main Street in downtown Fort Worth for the Juneteenth parade in 1978. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Cars line Main Street in downtown Fort Worth for the Juneteenth parade in 1978
Cars line Main Street in downtown Fort Worth for the Juneteenth parade in 1978 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
A group of people are seen dancing to music at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth during Juneteenth festivities in 1977
A group of people are seen dancing to music at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth during Juneteenth festivities in 1977 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
A group of people are seen dancing to music at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth during Juneteenth festivities in 1977.
A group of people are seen dancing to music at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth during Juneteenth festivities in 1977. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
James Milligan, 81, and Eula Milligan, 77, watch a championship softball game with their children and grandchildren at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth as part of Juneteenth festivities in 1977.
James Milligan, 81, and Eula Milligan, 77, watch a championship softball game with their children and grandchildren at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth as part of Juneteenth festivities in 1977. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Frank Taylor, 17, attracted attention on the 1977 Juneteenth at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth with his bicycle equipped with a citizens band radio. With him are, from left, Kelly Mitchell, 14; Bobbie Taylor, 16; Fred Taylor, 15; and Willie Nolan, 13.
Frank Taylor, 17, attracted attention on the 1977 Juneteenth at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth with his bicycle equipped with a citizens band radio. With him are, from left, Kelly Mitchell, 14; Bobbie Taylor, 16; Fred Taylor, 15; and Willie Nolan, 13. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Davietta Thomas, front left, leads a group of dancers preparing for the Juneteenth celebration to be held at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1977.
Davietta Thomas, front left, leads a group of dancers preparing for the Juneteenth celebration to be held at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1977. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
A rider on horseback practices for the rodeo and parade for the Juneteenth festival. The rodeo was held at the Circle L 5 Riding Club arena, the Stop Six Corral near Eastland Street and Loop 820 in Fort Worth, in 1977.
A rider on horseback practices for the rodeo and parade for the Juneteenth festival. The rodeo was held at the Circle L 5 Riding Club arena, the Stop Six Corral near Eastland Street and Loop 820 in Fort Worth, in 1977. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Riders on horseback at Juneteenth festivities in 1975: M. J. Wilson and Pumpkin Wilson at right.
Riders on horseback at Juneteenth festivities in 1975: M. J. Wilson and Pumpkin Wilson at right. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Organizers for the 1975 Juneteenth festivities to be held in Sycamore Park are seen posing with a Juneteenth Festival sign.
Organizers for the 1975 Juneteenth festivities to be held in Sycamore Park are seen posing with a Juneteenth Festival sign. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
In 1974, Mona Thomas, left, Yolanda Lyons, right, and Tanja Broadus are three of the 30 contestants who have entered the Miss Juneteenth contest in Sycamore Park in Fort Worth.
In 1974, Mona Thomas, left, Yolanda Lyons, right, and Tanja Broadus are three of the 30 contestants who have entered the Miss Juneteenth contest in Sycamore Park in Fort Worth. Ron McKeown Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
In 1975, Dorothy Johnson, who works with the Community Development Fund, gives some helpful directions for persons interested in the superstar adult sports competition, one of the many events at the Juneteenth festival in Sycamore Park.
In 1975, Dorothy Johnson, who works with the Community Development Fund, gives some helpful directions for persons interested in the superstar adult sports competition, one of the many events at the Juneteenth festival in Sycamore Park. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Juneteenth Jamboree at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1974.
Juneteenth Jamboree at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1974. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Juneteenth Jamboree at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1974.
Juneteenth Jamboree at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth in 1974. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

This story was originally published October 6, 2022 at 11:17 AM.

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Matt Leclercq
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Matt Leclercq is senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously was an editor at USA Today in Washington, national news editor at Gatehouse Media in Austin, and executive editor of The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. He’s a New Orleans native.
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