Fort Worth

PHOTOS: Berry Street in Fort Worth over the decades, from the Star-Telegram archive

By Matt Leclercq

December 14, 2023 2:40 PM

July 28, 1972: Construction on West Berry Street in Fort Worth. — July 28, 1972: Construction on West Berry Street in Fort Worth. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

West Berry Street, today the bustling main drag near TCU campus, has changed dramatically over the decades, as these Star-Telegram photos going back to the 1930s show.

How many of these scenes bring back memories?

July 28, 1972: Construction on West Berry Street in Fort Worth. — July 28, 1972: Construction on West Berry Street in Fort Worth. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

March 14, 2005: “The much-delayed redevelopment of Berry Street in Fort Worth is set to begin in July of this year. The busy south-side thoroughfare will have new medians and turn lanes, wider bricked sidewalks, new street lights, benches and signs and will be repaved.” — March 14, 2005: “The much-delayed redevelopment of Berry Street in Fort Worth is set to begin in July of this year. The busy south-side thoroughfare will have new medians and turn lanes, wider bricked sidewalks, new street lights, benches and signs and will be repaved.” JILL JOHNSON Star-Telegram

July 16, 2011: Customer Eli Vega waits for his order at the Salsa Limon food truck on Berry Street near TCU. — July 16, 2011: Customer Eli Vega waits for his order at the Salsa Limon food truck on Berry Street near TCU. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram

March 1, 1990: The Old TCU Theater on the corner of University and West Berry. — March 1, 1990: The Old TCU Theater on the corner of University and West Berry. Star-Telegram

June 28, 2004: Cars in a flooded parking lot on the north side of Berry Street as Eckerd drugs clients watch from the porch. The water on Berry got as deep as 6 feet in the roadway. (The location today is a CVS.) — June 28, 2004: Cars in a flooded parking lot on the north side of Berry Street as Eckerd drugs clients watch from the porch. The water on Berry got as deep as 6 feet in the roadway. (The location today is a CVS.) Ralph Lauer Star-Telegram

Oct. 29, 2013: The intersection of West Berry Street and University Drive adjacent to TCU. — Oct. 29, 2013: The intersection of West Berry Street and University Drive adjacent to TCU. Max Faulkner Star-Telegram

July 22, 2008: Facing east on Berry Street from the Lubbock Avenue intersection. Landscaped medians were constructed with new lighting fixtures, parallel parking spots and brick crosswalks. — July 22, 2008: Facing east on Berry Street from the Lubbock Avenue intersection. Landscaped medians were constructed with new lighting fixtures, parallel parking spots and brick crosswalks. Brandon Wade SPECIAL TO THE STAR-TELEGRAM

May 1, 1952: Customers inspect counter displays as Goldstein Brothers open their new store at 2608 W. Berry St. in Fort Worth. At left, behind counter, is Bernard Goldman, manager of the store. Also shown, standing behind the counter, Dore Goldstein, one of the owners. — May 1, 1952: Customers inspect counter displays as Goldstein Brothers open their new store at 2608 W. Berry St. in Fort Worth. At left, behind counter, is Bernard Goldman, manager of the store. Also shown, standing behind the counter, Dore Goldstein, one of the owners. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 10, 1950: Exterior shot of the new Vergal Bourland Store at 2850 W. Berry St., on the northwest corner with Waits Avenue. (The block today is Grandmarc at Westberry Place.) — Sept. 10, 1950: Exterior shot of the new Vergal Bourland Store at 2850 W. Berry St., on the northwest corner with Waits Avenue. (The block today is Grandmarc at Westberry Place.) Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Aug. 15, 1951: Exterior view of Cox’s Suburban Branch Store which will be opened for business at 2517 W. Berry St. (The location today is a Walgreens.) — Aug. 15, 1951: Exterior view of Cox’s Suburban Branch Store which will be opened for business at 2517 W. Berry St. (The location today is a Walgreens.) Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

[MORE: Remember these long-lost restaurants of Fort Worth?]

Jan. 28, 2009: An icy West Berry Street east of South University is all but deserted at 8 a.m. Severe weather arrived overnight in the North Texas area, with rain and sub-freezing temperatures making conditions hazardous. — Jan. 28, 2009: An icy West Berry Street east of South University is all but deserted at 8 a.m. Severe weather arrived overnight in the North Texas area, with rain and sub-freezing temperatures making conditions hazardous. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram/Paul Moseley

July 11, 1950: Fort Worth’s largest and newest postal substation is on West Berry Street. The new $85,000 brick and tile structure is on the southwest corner of Berry and Willing Avenue. (The building still stands and has operated as a church.) — July 11, 1950: Fort Worth’s largest and newest postal substation is on West Berry Street. The new $85,000 brick and tile structure is on the southwest corner of Berry and Willing Avenue. (The building still stands and has operated as a church.) Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

July 28, 1972: Construction on West Berry Street in Fort Worth. — July 28, 1972: Construction on West Berry Street in Fort Worth. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Feb. 10, 1959: Towne Plaza South Shopping Center’s formal opening at South Riverside Drive and East Berry Street. — Feb. 10, 1959: Towne Plaza South Shopping Center’s formal opening at South Riverside Drive and East Berry Street. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Late 1960s or early 1970s: Berry Street under construction, Fort Worth — Late 1960s or early 1970s: Berry Street under construction, Fort Worth Jarrold Cabluck Fort Worth Star-Telegram

[MORE: Fort Worth’s most stylish kitchens of the 1950s]

1939: Aerial of Blue Bonnet addition south of TCU and Berry Street (far right). Blue Bonnet Circle is on far left; looking west. — 1939: Aerial of Blue Bonnet addition south of TCU and Berry Street (far right). Blue Bonnet Circle is on far left; looking west. Ritchey Flying Service Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Feb. 19, 1938: Fire Department Lt. P.C. Fontain trims box hedges planted in parkway at intersection of University and Berry streets, near Fire Station No. 21. — Feb. 19, 1938: Fire Department Lt. P.C. Fontain trims box hedges planted in parkway at intersection of University and Berry streets, near Fire Station No. 21. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

July 28, 1972: Construction on West Berry Street in Fort Worth. — July 28, 1972: Construction on West Berry Street in Fort Worth. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Nov. 6, 1998: The TCU Showgirls lead a parade west down Berry Street. — Nov. 6, 1998: The TCU Showgirls lead a parade west down Berry Street. Ron Jenkins STAR-TELEGRAM

Feb. 25, 2003: West Berry Street, looking east from University, is deserted at 7 a.m. on an icy morning. — Feb. 25, 2003: West Berry Street, looking east from University, is deserted at 7 a.m. on an icy morning. PAUL MOSELEY Star-Telegram

[MORE: Fort Worth grocery stores that disappeared years ago]

May 1, 1952: Customers inspect counter displays as Goldstein Brothers open their new store at 2608 W. Berry St. in Fort Worth. At left, behind counter, is Bernard Goldman, manager of the store. Also shown, standing behind the counter, Dore Goldstein, one of the owners. — May 1, 1952: Customers inspect counter displays as Goldstein Brothers open their new store at 2608 W. Berry St. in Fort Worth. At left, behind counter, is Bernard Goldman, manager of the store. Also shown, standing behind the counter, Dore Goldstein, one of the owners. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Aug. 2, 1950: Inside the newly completed office building for McKeever & Company, located at 2509 W. Berry St. Fred Hammond, left, and salesman Charles M. Kyser are looking at a mural depicting a street in New Orleans, that hangs inside the office of Warren W. McKeever. — Aug. 2, 1950: Inside the newly completed office building for McKeever & Company, located at 2509 W. Berry St. Fred Hammond, left, and salesman Charles M. Kyser are looking at a mural depicting a street in New Orleans, that hangs inside the office of Warren W. McKeever. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Jan. 25, 1952: Mindlin Gans’ suburban store owned by David B. Mindlin at 2609 W. Berry. Shop specialized in women’s sportswear and casual clothes and featured handbags, hosiery, lingerie and costume jewelry. — Jan. 25, 1952: Mindlin Gans’ suburban store owned by David B. Mindlin at 2609 W. Berry. Shop specialized in women’s sportswear and casual clothes and featured handbags, hosiery, lingerie and costume jewelry. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Jan. 25, 1952: Interior view of David B. Mindlin’s suburban store located at 2609 W. Berry, which had women’s sportswear along with casual clothes and featured handbags, lingerie, hosiery and costume jewelry. — Jan. 25, 1952: Interior view of David B. Mindlin’s suburban store located at 2609 W. Berry, which had women’s sportswear along with casual clothes and featured handbags, lingerie, hosiery and costume jewelry. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Sept. 14, 1953: East Berry Street, looking west, with the interchange of future Interstate 35W in the foreground. “A major cross-town artery was improved recently with widening of East Berry Street from 30 to 60 feet between Hemphill to North-South Freeway. The widening cost $132,500. Property owners paid $52,000 of that at rate of $11.25 per front foot. The city paid $67,000 for work at intersections. Frisco, Southern Pacific and Katy Railroads paid $13,500 for grade crossing work at their tracks. Costs included all paving, curb and gutter work.” — Sept. 14, 1953: East Berry Street, looking west, with the interchange of future Interstate 35W in the foreground. “A major cross-town artery was improved recently with widening of East Berry Street from 30 to 60 feet between Hemphill to North-South Freeway. The widening cost $132,500. Property owners paid $52,000 of that at rate of $11.25 per front foot. The city paid $67,000 for work at intersections. Frisco, Southern Pacific and Katy Railroads paid $13,500 for grade crossing work at their tracks. Costs included all paving, curb and gutter work.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

[MORE: Fort Worth’s Forest Park Zoo in the 1940s-50s]

Jan. 14, 1953: Adrian Allen, left, meat market manager, and Vernon McDonald, grocery department manager at Worth Food Market at Hemphill and Berry were ready Thursday for the formal opening of the new store Friday and Saturday. Allen is weighing a piece of meat while McDonald looks on. — Jan. 14, 1953: Adrian Allen, left, meat market manager, and Vernon McDonald, grocery department manager at Worth Food Market at Hemphill and Berry were ready Thursday for the formal opening of the new store Friday and Saturday. Allen is weighing a piece of meat while McDonald looks on. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Oct. 20, 1951: Looking west on Berry Street in Fort Worth. TCU campus is seen in the upper right corner. — Oct. 20, 1951: Looking west on Berry Street in Fort Worth. TCU campus is seen in the upper right corner. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

March 29, 1982: Berry Street being widened. — March 29, 1982: Berry Street being widened. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

A group of pedestrians cross West Berry Street after stocking up at Walgreens on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, during the deep freeze. — A group of pedestrians cross West Berry Street after stocking up at Walgreens on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, during the deep freeze. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com

July 16, 1953: Fort Worth’s Berry Street being widened between Hemphill Street and the North-South Expressway. — July 16, 1953: Fort Worth’s Berry Street being widened between Hemphill Street and the North-South Expressway. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

June 12, 1977: Curtis Miller, 16, at left, is shown with a puppet at Southeast Branch Library (now the East Berry branch of the Fort Worth Public Library), 4300 E. Berry St., where youths are working on a puppet show for Juneteenth at Sycamore Park and Oakbrook Mall. — June 12, 1977: Curtis Miller, 16, at left, is shown with a puppet at Southeast Branch Library (now the East Berry branch of the Fort Worth Public Library), 4300 E. Berry St., where youths are working on a puppet show for Juneteenth at Sycamore Park and Oakbrook Mall. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Feb. 19, 1938: Fort Worth Fire Hall at University Drive and Berry Street (No. 21), left to right, T.J. Killian, A. Floyd and C.R. Tucker, planting California poppies. — Feb. 19, 1938: Fort Worth Fire Hall at University Drive and Berry Street (No. 21), left to right, T.J. Killian, A. Floyd and C.R. Tucker, planting California poppies. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Protesters kneel in the middle of West Berry Street on Saturday afternoon to honor George Floyd. They were marching to TCU. — Protesters kneel in the middle of West Berry Street on Saturday afternoon to honor George Floyd. They were marching to TCU. Jack Howland

Nov. 20, 1952: The front of the new office building at 806 E. Berry St. built by Ted C. Peters to house his four affiliated companies in the real estate and construction business. (The location today is a laundry.) — Nov. 20, 1952: The front of the new office building at 806 E. Berry St. built by Ted C. Peters to house his four affiliated companies in the real estate and construction business. (The location today is a laundry.) Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Check out more Star-Telegram archive photos in our collection here, including:

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.