Fort Worth

PHOTOS: How Fort Worth celebrated Labor Day over past 120 years, from our archives

By Matt Leclercq

Updated September 1, 2023 10:27 AM

Circa 1899-1902: Labor Day parade in front of Tarrant County Courthouse. Cooper Co.’s float drawn by horse and buggy; Edwin Perry Barclay on float. — Circa 1899-1902: Labor Day parade in front of Tarrant County Courthouse. Cooper Co.’s float drawn by horse and buggy; Edwin Perry Barclay on float. Griffin Family Papers/UT Arlington Library Special Collections

Ah, Labor Day. The unofficial end of summer.

Folks in Fort Worth have celebrated the three-day weekend in many ways ... some rather unusual.

We dug through more than a century of Star-Telegram photos that appeared in the newspaper to bring you these fun shots of Labor Day over many generations.

Aug. 28, 1944: Operating the ticket booth in the Hotel Texas lobby for the Labor Day benefit dance to be sponsored by the Wives of Officers Overseas Club are, left to right, Mrs. E.F. Shenlin and Mrs. E.E. Todd. A sign on the front of the booth and a sign on the counter top read “Labor Day Dance September 4th, 1944 featuring the Den Orchestra, gross receipts to U.S. Public Health Hospital for purchase of furniture.” — Aug. 28, 1944: Operating the ticket booth in the Hotel Texas lobby for the Labor Day benefit dance to be sponsored by the Wives of Officers Overseas Club are, left to right, Mrs. E.F. Shenlin and Mrs. E.E. Todd. A sign on the front of the booth and a sign on the counter top read “Labor Day Dance September 4th, 1944 featuring the Den Orchestra, gross receipts to U.S. Public Health Hospital for purchase of furniture.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 4, 1950: A trio of elected Labor Day queens from three age groups. Left to right, are Tiny Dorsett, 3-6 year group; Norma Lynn Rattan, 7-14 year group; and Miss Martha Lanier, 15 and up. — Sept. 4, 1950: A trio of elected Labor Day queens from three age groups. Left to right, are Tiny Dorsett, 3-6 year group; Norma Lynn Rattan, 7-14 year group; and Miss Martha Lanier, 15 and up. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 7, 1998: Texas Gov. George W. Bush shows some sweat as he walks the Garland Labor Day Parade with support from the South Garland High School cheerleading squad. — Sept. 7, 1998: Texas Gov. George W. Bush shows some sweat as he walks the Garland Labor Day Parade with support from the South Garland High School cheerleading squad. Ron T. Ennis STAR-TELEGRAM

Aug. 29, 1958: Fort Worth Jaycees brought out black robes and mock graves with headstones at reminders of safe driving during Labor Day weekend. Left to right, Lowell Dushman, Charles Deason and Don Tate. — Aug. 29, 1958: Fort Worth Jaycees brought out black robes and mock graves with headstones at reminders of safe driving during Labor Day weekend. Left to right, Lowell Dushman, Charles Deason and Don Tate. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Circa 1899-1902: Labor Day parade in front of Tarrant County Courthouse. Cooper Co.’s float drawn by horse and buggy; Edwin Perry Barclay on float. — Circa 1899-1902: Labor Day parade in front of Tarrant County Courthouse. Cooper Co.’s float drawn by horse and buggy; Edwin Perry Barclay on float. Griffin Family Papers/UT Arlington Library Special Collections

1984: Wrestler Chris Adams makes his way through crowd during a Labor Day wrestling event at the Tarrant County Convention Center. — 1984: Wrestler Chris Adams makes his way through crowd during a Labor Day wrestling event at the Tarrant County Convention Center. Ron Jenkins Star-Telegram

Circa 1897: Labor Day parade entry of Mugg & Dryden Ice, Coal and Wood Company, in front of county jail, Fort Worth, Texas. Mugg is in buggy (left) and Puckett is on right; Dryden in front of first dray driven by Leonard Zinn, boy in wagon is Earle Mugg. — Circa 1897: Labor Day parade entry of Mugg & Dryden Ice, Coal and Wood Company, in front of county jail, Fort Worth, Texas. Mugg is in buggy (left) and Puckett is on right; Dryden in front of first dray driven by Leonard Zinn, boy in wagon is Earle Mugg. John Swartz Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 4, 1951: Joyce Dell Luster, chosen Labor Day queen at Sycamore Park, thanked her voters then broke into happy tears as she received her gift from Dan Lacy, president of the Trinity State Bank. She was sponsored by the Carpenters Local 1822 and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh E. Luster of 1508 East Allen. — Sept. 4, 1951: Joyce Dell Luster, chosen Labor Day queen at Sycamore Park, thanked her voters then broke into happy tears as she received her gift from Dan Lacy, president of the Trinity State Bank. She was sponsored by the Carpenters Local 1822 and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh E. Luster of 1508 East Allen. Joe McAulay Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 1, 1958: Ray Bluth, Capt. Pat Patterson and Bill Lillard, left to right, of the St. Louis Budweisers, take aim at Harry Smith of the St. Louis Falstaffs between rounds of the Labor Day bowling tournament at Great Southwest Lanes. — Sept. 1, 1958: Ray Bluth, Capt. Pat Patterson and Bill Lillard, left to right, of the St. Louis Budweisers, take aim at Harry Smith of the St. Louis Falstaffs between rounds of the Labor Day bowling tournament at Great Southwest Lanes. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Aug. 25, 1944: Queens to be presented at the Labor Day program of the Fort Worth Recreation Department are, left to right, Virginia Echols, Jean Chandler and Bettie Armstrong. Miss Chandler is queen of sports. She is wearing a striped shirt with a jumper dress and is holding a tennis racket. Miss Chandler is queen of Labor Day. She is wearing a floor length gown and a crown. Miss Armstrong is queen of dancing. She is wearing a frilly dress, a flower in her hair, and dancing shoes. — Aug. 25, 1944: Queens to be presented at the Labor Day program of the Fort Worth Recreation Department are, left to right, Virginia Echols, Jean Chandler and Bettie Armstrong. Miss Chandler is queen of sports. She is wearing a striped shirt with a jumper dress and is holding a tennis racket. Miss Chandler is queen of Labor Day. She is wearing a floor length gown and a crown. Miss Armstrong is queen of dancing. She is wearing a frilly dress, a flower in her hair, and dancing shoes. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Aug. 26, 1940: Ranger Rodeo and Labor Day Celebration. Publicity men. Left to right, Bill Mayes, Mayor Hall Walker, Joe Dennis and Sig Faircloth, seen standing up waving a hat in the air. — Aug. 26, 1940: Ranger Rodeo and Labor Day Celebration. Publicity men. Left to right, Bill Mayes, Mayor Hall Walker, Joe Dennis and Sig Faircloth, seen standing up waving a hat in the air. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 3, 2001: Terry Creamier, 11, of Arlington examines a model car with his grandfather, J.C. Tow, 78. Terry won the toy in a raffel at the AFL/CIO annual Labor Day picnic held at the UAW Hall in Hurst. — Sept. 3, 2001: Terry Creamier, 11, of Arlington examines a model car with his grandfather, J.C. Tow, 78. Terry won the toy in a raffel at the AFL/CIO annual Labor Day picnic held at the UAW Hall in Hurst. Stewart F. House STAR-TELEGRAM

Miss Kenyan is shown laying on a towel on the grass with her legs crossed. She is wearing a pair of shorts and a bikini top as she relaxes and reads a book. — Sept. 2, 1945: Miss Harriett Kenyon taking sun bath. Further back, a pool and a few other people can be seen. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

There is a crowd towards the foreground of the photo. There is two planes near the crowd at the front. Three planes seen flying. Six commercial ,white , passenger planes can be seen in the background. — Sept. 4, 1971: Labor Day Air Show at Fort Worth’s Greater Southwest International Airport, Confederate Air Force flies World War II bombers Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Grogan is the commanding officer of Company B. He is wearing a long-sleeve shirt and trousers. Private Hines, Company A, is dressed in a short-sleeve shirt and trousers. Captain Calder, Company A commander, is wearing a button-up shirt and trousers. Corporal Johnson, Company A, is dressed in a hat, short-sleeve shirt, and trousers. Private Coggins, Company A, is wearing a striped short-sleeve shirt and trousers. There are several unidentified men standing in the background and two automobiles are parked outside the garage. — Sept. 1, 1941: While most residents of Fort Worth are spending Labor Day weekend relaxing and enjoying the outdoors, members of the Texas Defense Guard are working. They are gathering in a downtown garage to clean the Enfield rifles supplied by the US Army. The rifles have been packed in thick grease for years and need to be cleaned before they can be used. Left to right, Capt. Ralph A. Grogan, Pvt. W. E. Hines, Capt. J. B. Calder, Cpl. Joe J. Johnson and Pvt. V. O. Coggins. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

The Starettes are wearing matching costumes consisting of a blouse with three stars and a skirt. They are standing on swings handing from the ceiling. — 1944: Featured in the Fort Worth Recreation Department’s Labor Day Circus were these trapeze artists. The Starettes are, left to right, Grace Buckley, Peggy Hartshorn and Dolores Smithwick. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

1958: A pair of Reminders - “Slow Down and Live” is the Fort Worth Safety Council’s slogan of warning to the Memorial Day weekend drivers through Labor Day. Police Officers J.L. Cashion will have his motorcycle ready to chase down speeders, too. — 1958: A pair of Reminders - “Slow Down and Live” is the Fort Worth Safety Council’s slogan of warning to the Memorial Day weekend drivers through Labor Day. Police Officers J.L. Cashion will have his motorcycle ready to chase down speeders, too. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 6, 1999: It rained on the Crestline Area Neighborhood Association’s annual Labor Day parade. Lauren Puff, left brought an umbrella to keep daughter Anna dry, as did Dana Kelly for her children, Lynn and Patrick. The parade was completed, but a concert by the Paschal High School Stage Band after the parade was canceled because of rain. — Sept. 6, 1999: It rained on the Crestline Area Neighborhood Association’s annual Labor Day parade. Lauren Puff, left brought an umbrella to keep daughter Anna dry, as did Dana Kelly for her children, Lynn and Patrick. The parade was completed, but a concert by the Paschal High School Stage Band after the parade was canceled because of rain. DALE BLACKWELL STAR-TELEGRAM

Carol is wearing a checkered dress. Miss Reed is wearing a polka-dot dress. Several girls are enjoying the ice cream at a picnic table in the background. — Sept. 1, 1941: Residents of Fort Worth are spending Labor Day weekend relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. At Forest Park, Helen Reed of Decatur helps little Carol Brown to some home-made ice cream. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

The group is shown happily swimming in the pool while other pool goers look on. Miss McAnnelly and Mrs. Wright are shown wearing bathing suits, with Miss McAnnely's being of a leaf pattern. Mrs. Wright appears to be looking forward while Miss McAnnelly and small Kimmy look on at the camera. To the left of them is another pool goer looking out at the pool. — Sept. 2, 1945: Labor Day weekend at Forest Park swimming pool in Fort Worth. Dorothy McAnnelly holds her little neighbor, Sylvia Boynton, left, and Mrs. Jimmy Wright and daughter, Kimmy Faye, at right. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 5, 1950: During Labor Day activities, one of the many families that attended the picnic are shown sitting together. Mr. and Mrs. William M. Morris of Arlington sit with their children, Bill Jr., 5, and Barbara, 2. — Sept. 5, 1950: During Labor Day activities, one of the many families that attended the picnic are shown sitting together. Mr. and Mrs. William M. Morris of Arlington sit with their children, Bill Jr., 5, and Barbara, 2. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 2, 2000: Sue Lucas (right) of Euless and her friend Lindy Anderson of Grand Praire cheer for Morris Price Band at the city of Bedford Labor Day Bluesfest. — Sept. 2, 2000: Sue Lucas (right) of Euless and her friend Lindy Anderson of Grand Praire cheer for Morris Price Band at the city of Bedford Labor Day Bluesfest. Khampha Bouaphanh STAR-TELEGRAM

Sept. 3, 1940: Left to right, Berta Buerrero, Patsy Jean Clark and Doris Ann McCormick and Dorothy Carson. The ladies are shown waiting to do their turns in the Labor Day variety show at Sycamore Park. Miss Buerrero is an exponent of the Mexican folk dance, Misses Clark and McCormick are two of the troupe of dancers who performed a block dance, and Miss Carson did a roller skating specialty. — Sept. 3, 1940: Left to right, Berta Buerrero, Patsy Jean Clark and Doris Ann McCormick and Dorothy Carson. The ladies are shown waiting to do their turns in the Labor Day variety show at Sycamore Park. Miss Buerrero is an exponent of the Mexican folk dance, Misses Clark and McCormick are two of the troupe of dancers who performed a block dance, and Miss Carson did a roller skating specialty. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 4, 1951: Hammering while blind folded in a Labor Day contest at Sycamore Park proved more fun than trouble for Mrs. Harvey Cato. Her husband, a sheet metal worker, looked on while holding their 3-year-old child, Gale Lynn Cato. — Sept. 4, 1951: Hammering while blind folded in a Labor Day contest at Sycamore Park proved more fun than trouble for Mrs. Harvey Cato. Her husband, a sheet metal worker, looked on while holding their 3-year-old child, Gale Lynn Cato. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 5, 1978: Colby Moss, center, 4-year-old campaign poster child with cerebral palsy, attends the 1978 Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon with his family. Colby can be seen in his father’s arms, his mother is next to him and his two siblings are standing and looking at him. — Sept. 5, 1978: Colby Moss, center, 4-year-old campaign poster child with cerebral palsy, attends the 1978 Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon with his family. Colby can be seen in his father’s arms, his mother is next to him and his two siblings are standing and looking at him. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 4, 1950: A trio of elected Labor Day queens from three age groups. Left to right, are Tiny Dorsett, 3-6 year group; Norma Lynn Rattan, 7-14 year group; and Miss Martha Lanier, 15 and up. — Sept. 4, 1950: A trio of elected Labor Day queens from three age groups. Left to right, are Tiny Dorsett, 3-6 year group; Norma Lynn Rattan, 7-14 year group; and Miss Martha Lanier, 15 and up. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 1, 1952: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Durham and their daughters, Jackie, 9, and Jeanie, 2, watching chimpanzees at the zoo. — Sept. 1, 1952: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Durham and their daughters, Jackie, 9, and Jeanie, 2, watching chimpanzees at the zoo. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

A woman is holding a baby and some kind of object in her left hand being pointed near the child. — 9/4/1951: Fort Worth’s workers at Sycamore Park heard speeches, chose beauty queens, opened the Crusade for Freedom drive and tried to keep cool. Mrs. Ruth Almand of 2908 Avenue K attempts to keep herself and 8-month-old baby, Betty Ruth Almand, cool. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 12:11 PM.

Matt Leclercq

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Matt Leclercq was senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 2021 to 2026. He is now editor of The Charlotte Observer and can be reached at mleclercq@charlotteobserver.com.