Fort Worth

These Fort Worth treasures have landed on list of city’s ‘endangered places’

The R. Vickery School was built in 1910 but has sat vacant for many years.
The R. Vickery School was built in 1910 but has sat vacant for many years. amccoy@star-telegram.com

Historic Fort Worth released its 2024 most endangered places list Tuesday in a bid to draw attention to the need for the city to preserve its historic places.

Previous versions of the list brought attention to the Fort Worth Stockyards, which is now one the city’s main tourist attractions.

The Ridglea Theater and Fort Worth Public Market, also previously on the list, have been restored or repurposed for other uses while still maintaining their historic integrity.

This year’s list includes buildings notable for their historic architecture and their ongoing civic uses.

The Fort Worth Community Arts Center, which made the list in 2023, is featured again this year after a city panel recommended redeveloping the existing structure.

Some in the arts community fear this redevelopment will reduce the amount of space in the city available for local artists to exhibit their work, however, Mayor Mattie Parker promised it would include a theater and gallery space.

Fort Worth has struggled in the past to preserve its historic places with the Berry Theater on Hemphill Street facing the wrecking ball in July 2023.

The Grand High Court of Heroines of Jericho building. The Grand High Court of Heroines of Jericho was an African American women’s organization with chapters created shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation. The building was built in 1952.
The Grand High Court of Heroines of Jericho building. The Grand High Court of Heroines of Jericho was an African American women’s organization with chapters created shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation. The building was built in 1952. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com

However, the city has beefed up its historic preservation department by adding more staff to enable property owners to get necessary credentials for state and federal grants to help restore their buildings.

Historic Fort Worth’s 2024 list of endangered places

The Fort Worth Community Arts Center.
The Fort Worth Community Arts Center. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com


Small businesses fill a couple blocks of East Lancaster Avenue near east Loop 820 in East Fort Worth.
Small businesses fill a couple blocks of East Lancaster Avenue near east Loop 820 in East Fort Worth. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com


This story was originally published May 7, 2024 at 12:45 PM.

Harrison Mantas
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Harrison Mantas has covered Fort Worth city government, agencies and people since September 2021. He likes to live tweet city hall meetings, and help his fellow Fort Worthians figure out what’s going on.
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