Fort Worth as Cowtown

This is a subject that comes up all over the Forum so I thought I would make a poll out of it. I want to emphasize that this is just for curiousity to see how other forumers feel about this. Really, I don't think that our own opinions tell us a whole lot about how people from outside the Metroplex make decisions regarding travel, investment, etc. I think that sometimes we are much harder on ourselves than we need to be.

My own opinion is that the Cowtown image helps us to a small extant. I really don't think very many people say "Ft. Worth? But that's Cowtown," and then choose not to have anything to do with us. On the other hand, the Stock Show is very real and pumps millions of dollars into our economy. And for most native FW citizens, we all know that in reality, the Cowtown stuff is just a small part of FW.

It all makes me wonder if people from New Orleans have similar debates about Mardi Gras, or Memphis and Elvis, etc.

in brief - the problem isn't in being known for our western heritage. the problem is in being known *only* for our western heritage.

it can be a useful symbol - a mental hook - to have the western theme serve as an accent - a connection to our history - in our identity and atmosphere and promotions; however, it is not in general useful to have it as the main focus of our promotional material: people will by default identify us with that. what is needed is to promote those sides of us about which outsiders may yet be unaware. and to build on our marketable qualities with fanatical commitment.

in brief - the problem isn't in being known for our western heritage. the problem is in being known *only* for our western heritage.

it can be a useful symbol - a mental hook - to have the western theme serve as an accent - a connection to our history - in our identity and atmosphere and promotions; however, it is not in general useful to have it as the main focus of our promotional material: people will by default identify us with that. what is needed is to promote those sides of us about which outsiders may yet be unaware. and to build on our marketable qualities with fanatical commitment.

Very well said, gdvanc! We shouldn't tie ourselve to the Cowtown image so that everything else FW offers gets overlooked. We should be known for our history, but also for our current cultural endeavors and achievements.

I think everyone's pretty much been saying what I feel, Cowtown is part, not all, of our history, and is important to our image. We shouldn't rely entirely on Cowtown to forge our way into America's public perception of our place (well, first we have to overcome the Dallas syndrome), as there are many other aspects of Fort Worth's history that have had equally significant impact.

Why is there absolutely no push to talk about the actual origin of the city's NAME, the actual Fort "Worth"? After the Fort you had the railroads (the Tarantula was a pitiful memorial to how important railroads were to Fort Worth back then), then not only did you have the packing plants and the Stockyards, but FW had an oil and banking boom in the 1920's, like most other Texas cities had, which brought wealth and subsequently architectural heritage to the city in a way the Stockyards could never have done. Of course after that we have a defense history that continues to this day and has virtually no mention in tourism campaigns. Let's see, that means the stockyards are really only about 20% of the city's history, and history shouldn't even be 100% of any city's tourism basis, I'd say 33% maximum (with the other two thirds split between attractions like a major zoo or museums and entertainment i.e. restaurants and shopping). So realistically, Cowtown should only be about 1/15 of the city's tourism campaign, but from pure observation I'd guess that it currently makes up 1/4-1/2 of the tourism campaign, with occasional mentions of TMS (often referred to as being in Dallas, btw) and the sorely under-appreciated Cultural District.

Anyway, point is, by focusing too much on the Cowtown aspect of Fort Worth's tourism potential, I think we're turning our city into a novelty destination like Disney World, and outsiders aren't getting the image they should of a 21st-century, dynamic city that cherishes its past. The juxtaposition of the past and the present are what make cities like Paris and New York so interesting to visit.

(BTW, I think a good choice for the poll would have been "It is overused by the CVB but is a positive" or something like that)

I think everyone's pretty much been saying what I feel, Cowtown is part, not all, of our history, and is important to our image.  We shouldn't rely entirely on Cowtown to forge our way into America's public perception of our place (well, first we have to overcome the Dallas syndrome), as there are many other aspects of Fort Worth's history that have had equally significant impact. 

Why is there absolutely no push to talk about the actual origin of the city's NAME, the actual Fort "Worth"?  After the Fort you had the railroads (the Tarantula was a pitiful memorial to how important railroads were to Fort Worth back then), then not only did you have the packing plants and the Stockyards, but FW had an oil and banking boom in the 1920's, like most other Texas cities had, which brought wealth and subsequently architectural heritage to the city in a way the Stockyards could never have done.  Of course after that we have a defense history that continues to this day and has virtually no mention in tourism campaigns. Let's see, that means the stockyards are really only about 20% of the city's history, and history shouldn't even be 100% of any city's tourism basis, I'd say 33% maximum (with the other two thirds split between attractions like a major zoo or museums and entertainment i.e. restaurants and shopping).  So realistically, Cowtown should only be about 1/15 of the city's tourism campaign, but from pure observation I'd guess that it currently makes up 1/4-1/2 of the tourism campaign, with occasional mentions of TMS (often referred to as being in Dallas, btw) and the sorely under-appreciated Cultural District.

Anyway, point is, by focusing too much on the Cowtown aspect of Fort Worth's tourism potential, I think we're turning our city into a novelty destination like Disney World, and outsiders aren't getting the image they should of a 21st-century, dynamic city that cherishes its past.  The juxtaposition of the past and the present are what make cities like Paris and New York so interesting to visit.

(BTW, I think a good choice for the poll would have been "It is overused by the CVB but is a positive" or something like that)

my two cents - fort worth is on the verge of breaking out as a great city of america. the distinction from dallas will shake out. how 'bout something like "fort worth - on the frontier of the american west in the 19th century - on the frontier of _______ in the 21st." fill in the blank...

A real-world example of my position on this:

The colonial period was clearly an important part of Boston's history. When you're in Boston, references to that period are common: in place names, in architecture, in business names, in preserved history, in that faux-Franklin guy that wanders the red line...

Yet the colonial era doesn't define Boston. It's not forgotten; it adds color to the city's image. They are on the whole as proud of their Revolutionary War history as many in Fort Worth are of our history with fatted livestock. It is not, however, the central and overriding theme of their product positioning and marketing. They don't push it continuously into the fore. You rarely see their civic officials donning powdered wigs and shoes with large buckles on promotional tours. They include it, but don't exude it.


San Francisco and the Miner 49er of the Gold Rush era might be another example.

HOWDY COWPOKES!
Hope YA'LL havin' a mighty fine day. YEEHAW!!!!!

Ok, enuff sarcasim
but then again what city with skyscrapers, malls, museums, more than a half-mil in population (in the top 20 cities for that matter), and such can go by "Cowtown"??? Now that's funny.

Yeah, the obvious is we have the Stockyards and Stock Shows the FW convention/visitors bureau won't let anyone forget. I'm not saying we need to erase the western history we have, but I think it needs to be toned down a bit. Like not branding the longhorn logo on every cop car or water tower I see. lol
I agree, even tho I'm not too crazy about it, it is our history. Cowboys ruled the land here just like Boston had the Boston Tea Party, Detroit with its Mowtown Sound/Motor City, and Dallas has the JFK thing.

Thing is, like it or not, it's the 21st century and the cowtown image is getting kinda stale. Maybe that gimmick works for tourism, but does FW really pull in that much tourism? Then we can't depend on that for our local economy.

I think the cowtown image hurts us economically. Do you think fortune 500 companies would relocate to a place called CoWtOwN or rather a huge buiness/financial city like Dallas,Houston,Chicago, etc...?
We can be known for that too RadioShack,Pier1,Alcon,American Airlines,XTO and other buisnesses call FW home, but our city leaders rather have cows and cowboys as the REAL things that represents Fort Worth. A big time company wouldnt want to relocate or expand to what they think will be in the middle of ranches and cattle. Top executives want to drive luxury cars and fine resturants. People outside of TX that are clueless of FW think its all pick-up trucks and saloons.

I have just got to say that I LOVE the Cowtown image FW has. I LOVE that longhorns are branded on every cop car and water tower. I HATED the star thing they tried to "bring us into the 21st century." We can't forget or be embarrassed by our heritage. And, yes, we do need the outside to know that we are a real 21st century city with wonderful opportunities for business, industry, learning, culture, etc.

As stated above, "I really don't think very many people say "Ft. Worth? But that's Cowtown," and then choose not to have anything to do with us." I think in most cases it is more "Fort Worth? But that's Cowtown; that is soooo cool!" We could be a slick modern city just like all the others, but our persona makes us special. How can you deny a place that while other cities are building massive high 5 freeways, etc., we are spending millions on the "best darn horse barn in the world." And that's OK; that's cool! Am I wrong in thinking that our Stock Show and all the horse shows and cattle auctions, etc., etc., that go on at Will Rogers are not some of the more well known in the country? Do you think of that when you think of Houston? or Dallas? or Austin?

As to FW/Northside becoming a Disneyland, I worried about that, too. However, just a couple of weeks ago I went with some visitors from Florida to the Nside and it was very enjoyable. And while we all enjoyed it immensley, the little 6 year old girl was fascinated/intrigued/excited about seeing the real cowboys and cowGIRLs; the police on horseback, the cattle drive, etc. And while they do play it up, it isn't as cheesy as it could very easily be. Now, you put a casino or two in there and the Velvetta would be flooding through the streets!!!! Talk about a scorched earth policy. But some think that's progress.

OK - I've just realized my diatribe is getting to be a little bit long. Suffice it to say that, IMO, we, as a city, can use both the future and the past in equal quantities to make ourselves standout. I Cowtown.

A real-world example of my position on this:

The colonial period was clearly an important part of Boston's history. When you're in Boston, references to that period are common: in place names, in architecture, in business names, in preserved history, in that faux-Franklin guy that wanders the red line...

Yet the colonial era doesn't define Boston. It's not forgotten; it adds color to the city's image. They are on the whole as proud of their Revolutionary War history as many in Fort Worth are of our history with fatted livestock. It is not, however, the central and overriding theme of their product positioning and marketing. They don't push it continuously into the fore. You rarely see their civic officials donning powdered wigs and shoes with large buckles on promotional tours. They include it, but don't exude it.

San Francisco and the Miner 49er of the Gold Rush era might be another example.

I couldn't have said any better myself.

I don't want to bury the cowtown image, but why can't we be ALSO known for our aviation history?

If in doubt of our aviation history, here is an old post of mine from way back...

What about our heritage in Aviation? FW is rich in that as well as a western history. For instance GD now LockheedMartin started manufacturing military planes around WW2 and Bell Helicopter is based here right? Also with the construction of DFW Airport attracted American Airlines headquarters to FW as well. Even before DFW we had Meacham Airport. Also I think we got the first & maybe the only major industial airport (Alliance) that proved to be VERY succesfull since we lured dozens of companies to that area. What about Carswell now Fort Worth N.A.S? The first base to combine all branches of the military. I know some of you see all them planes in the air when you drive around Ridgmar Mall - what a sight!
Oh check this out...(from book I quoted at the time I posted this)

The first non-stop flight around the world was made by, again, a team of the US Air Force flyers in 1949. Taking off from Carswell Air Force base in Fort Worth, Texas on 26 February, Captain James Gallagher and a crew of 14 headed east in a B-50 Superfortress, called Lucky Lady II. They were refuelled four times in air by KB-29 tanker planes of the 43rd Air Refuelling Squadron, over the Azores, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Hawaii. The circumnavigation was completed on 2 March, having travelled 94 hours and 1 minute, covering 37 743 km (23,452 miles) at an average 398 km/h (249 mph).

If the city of FW would pump alot of money into this kind of image, instead of all that cowboy stuff, we wouldn't be losing the B-36 Peacemaker that is destined for an aviation museum in AZ. We don't have one of our own to display it. But we had lots of dough to send Longhorns and Racecars to NYC earlier in the year to promote FW as COWTOWN. Why not call us AIRTOWN or something, not just for our aviation heritage, but for our AIRHEAD city leaders! lol

I have yet to cast my vote. But I think the discussion on this topic is a winner for all of us. I read in Wednesday's Netscape homepage link that "DFW" was ranked in the top 20 for best cities for singles. They had some quotes in the link from a DJ named Billy the Kid? 106. something, anyways he described FW as the "sister city" to Dallas. Just wonderin what ya'll thinkabout that.

The Western history is what sets us apart from Des Moines or Chattanooga.

It's something we can sell, particularly to international visitors.

Nobody has ever said it hurt us in corporate relocations. I do think we have to make sure it's an accurate tricultural image and not just a tribute to dead white cowboys.

We went through this whole discussion about 30 years ago as "Cowtown or Nowtown?" Cowtown turned out to be much more appealing to those outside Fort Worth.

As far as the aviation history ... that is a pretty narrow interest field for tourists.

The American Airlines museum does that already to some extent, along with the Dallas aviation museum. The B-36 would have helped if it had been at DFW Airport where airline passengers need someplace to go during layovers, but I don't think it would have been a tourist draw in west Fort Worth.

The Western history does set us apart from Des Moines and Chattanooga, but it doesn't set us apart from Oklahoma City or Cheyenne. Wichita and Kansas City have both been referred to as "Cowtown". Cowboys have been spotted in Montana. There's some Old West in the Four Corners states as well. Even sunny California has some of that in cities like Oakdale.

The level of attention given to our Western heritage in our attempts to build tourism really depends on who we're trying to attract. Who's the audience for a particular promotion? I think most (but not all) of us recognize that it would be a mistake to try to move away from the Cowtown image entirely. However, many of us feel that it is generally given too much emphasis in our tourism promotions. That, too, is a mistake.

I would say, though, that I don't think it's a problem to have a fair amount of the Western theme present around the city. Once people are here, we either show them a good time or we don't. If they have a great time (or if they have a lousy time), it won't hurt anything at all that there are Western images and Western-themed stores and Western-themed topiaries and so on. If their overall experience is very good (or very bad), it is more likely that their impression of Fort Worth's Western nature will be affected by their overall experience than it is that their overall experience will be affected by their impression of Fort Worth's Western nature.

A somewhat related thought: I do like the city's use of the Molly logo. It's an effective symbol for the city. It's reasonably distinctive. The Molly flag looks a far sight better than the previous city flag. I even like Molly on the squad cars. The old block letter logos were dated and the other ones they sported for a while (and some still do) were too generic. Looked like they could've been from Pantego or any other town.

I don't think the issue of Western image is particularly relevant when we're talking corporate relocations. Quite happy to elaborate if anyone disagrees.

And, Buck: You went through this issue 30 years ago? You have to re-evaluate market sentiment a bit more frequently than that. It might be a good idea to do so before every major campaign at the very, very least. A survey 30 years ago may have reflected nothing more than sentimentality that Gunsmoke was ending it's two decade run. Times have changed.

The phrase "hook" was used in a previous post and that's probably the best description of the "Cowtown" moniker. You can't market everything the city has to offer to everybody. There are so many things going on it just becomes a blur. The Cowtown reference is a good hook because it will standout in someone's mind. It's something that they can remember.

Once someone has been here, they probably remember whatever it is that brought them. For aviation folks, it's going to be aviation. For Oil and Gas folks, it's oil and gas stuff. And so on...

But you need something to tie it all together for general marketing purposes and the Cowtown thing has some broad appeal. Probablay more so than anything else we might push. We can market Cowtown to lots of people and include it as a side note in targeted marketing to aviation professionals, museum nuts, oil and gas investors, etc.

Maybe another way to look at it is this. Let's say we didn't have "Cowtown". What would we promote as an over-arching city theme?

If we didn't have "Cowtown", we could promote the ARTS. This would cover an impressive percentage of outsiders to come and visit us, perhaps boost them further in other ART endevours, be a catalyst or gateway for ART appreciation. We have a WORLD-CLASS FW Symphony Orchestra with players from all over the globe. We have a pretty good ARTS Festival during the more tolerable months of the year. We have some very distinctive museums and excellent university sponsored ART programs ranging from music to visual.

I am SOOOOO happy that the state passed legislation recently in supporting Cinema ART industry in this beautiful state. Texas Film Commission is only gonna get STRONGER. Fort Worth would def. be one of my top 5 cities to film in I can't tell you how much revenue and hype the FILM INDUSTRY brought to the city of L.A. and all of S.California. It is an industry that would create so much buzz for this town, and this town is affordable to film in. San Antonio has already shown plans for film studio lots that would rival Hollywood standards. With the now digital era, anything is a go.

sidenote: I spoke to a young man wearing a longhorn cap today at golf course in suburb of Chicago. I asked him if he is attending UT, he said no but he has family out in Dallas. I am told him I live in Fort Worth, he said "I like that town". Well, looks like we have a fan in the Chicago burbs.

I agree about the arts being an attraction, but there is little about the town itself that says "art" to the eye. We have hardly any public art, our museums are not surrounded by galleries, shops, or anything else that indicates art in work. What we have is a lot of art to see, but danged little being made. And arts patrons / tourists like to see both the work in progress and finished products.

I'm all for adding art to our short list, but we'd have to do a lot of work to make it effective. That said, I would support that happening because I think it would make this an even better town.

I was out and about today in good o' Cowtown, near downtown and all the way to Hulen mall, and not one freakin' COW did I even see once!!!

I didnt even see no one with a COWboy hat on. Hmm cowtown?

Of course, the near W/SW sides are the places you'd probably be least likely to see someone donning a cowboy hat. Although that proves another point, even the entire town isn't Cowtown. There are so many parts of Fort Worth that don't have much, if anything, to do with the Cowtown image, and honestly most of them are much more attractive than the area around the Stockyards. Like Greg said, why not make more of a push to promote the arts here? The heavy-hitting museums are already in place, and the Cultural District has, IMO, the most potential to impress an urban image on tourists, so they don't really think of FW as Cow"town" but as Cow"city" (as it is now, I wouldn't really show the CD off to anyone, but that could change if some intelligent people pull the right strings).

If the Cultural District doesn't work out as an artsy district, what about Fort Worth South? It has a much more bohemian (and historic) feel to it than the CD could ever hope to have...

Yup, FW South has a good start, but I would also add the warehouse and light industrial area between SO7 and the CD. And there's no reason why there should only be one area.

The question is, what attracts artists, artisans, and crafts-makers? Is there a build it and they will come potential? (I doubt it). The Jane Jacobs theory is that under-utilized loft space with cheap rent is a good start because it's practical for the "starving artist" (she thinks like an economist). I also picture diversity and rather liberal social attitudes being an underpinning. I hope I'm wrong there because that's not exactly the Fort Worth I'm familiar with.

Yup, FW South has a good start, but I would also add the warehouse and light industrial area between SO7 and the CD. And there's no reason why there should only be one area.

The question is, what attracts artists, artisans, and crafts-makers? Is there a build it and they will come potential? (I doubt it). The Jane Jacobs theory is that under-utilized loft space with cheap rent is a good start because it's practical for the "starving artist" (she thinks like an economist). I also picture diversity and rather liberal social attitudes being an underpinning. I hope I'm wrong there because that's not exactly the Fort Worth I'm familiar with.

The difference between FW and a lot of other cities with starving artists living in lofts is that we have very few habitable loft-type buildings, and many many cheap apartment all over the city. People are willing to live in warehouse space in NY because everything else is so expensive. We kind of have the opposite going on here. Anyone developing a loft space here can command premium rents.

Like Greg said, why not make more of a push to promote the arts here?

Awhhh, I'm CRUSHED here Johnny.

People of Cowtown! HEAR ME SPEAK!

As for the NY studio/lofts which "starving" artisits utilize and get subsidized. There is a local man or there are/were some local people who use the street level studio/unit below the FW WEEKLY offices on 7th. When I lived across the way from it I would always try to get a glimpse of some new works being done. The prescence there certainly added a touch of artsy flavor to DTFW. The whole Milan gallery deal seemed a bit too commercialized and "set-up" for my taste. I still never saw a single painting leave that place. As for Kincaid's, well his works are presented much like the DTFW ones in just about any other location of his in the US.

The reason why NY loft units, particularly in the city limits, get used up so much is because of the locale to the trendy Art's districts or "scene" in which their visuals or works get promoted to some of the most wealthiest ART enthusiasts in the WORLD. It make smore sense there, as for here it just is not highly touted as far as creating a "scene" which subsidizes NY size efforts. Hopefully, that will all change. The owner of the Club Axis on Main St. south has Art Gallery Nights every now and then. Great guy and cares a bunch for the ART scene.

We can still make a dent in Culinary Arts for DTFW or CD. A nice culinary school would def. help the scene. Those classes set-up at the local CMarket are always a blast. But a DTFW Culinary School would bring in all walks of life who seek culinary excellence. A ballet/dance studio-school in a centralized locaion would be trendy. I still say the FWSymphony Orchestra is the HOTTEST ticket in town. A Youth League musicial performance/recording studio-school in DTFW would be a big hit too. Just some thoughts.

That's true, safly, I'm following on an idea, not originating. My add is to try to understand the "how" of pushing visual arts creation within Fort Worth. In addition to the factors I suggested earlier, I believe more college & graduate-level art programs in the city would help because it would add more of the creators into the local scene.

I like the culinary arts idea. Perhaps the CIA could open a branch campus here to focus on Southwester Cuisine. Meanwhile, Richard Connor wrote some good words about the local restaurant scene in this week's Business Press: http://www.fwbusines...ndex.php?cat=13

Perhaps an idea or plan to really observe and take note of is what is now taking place in near DT San Antonio scope. The OLD Pearl Brewery plant is in it's phase 2 mode and will be revitalized into a MUD. A person I know of closely is on the development side for this project. The BOSS is "Kit", of Silver Ventures (Pace SELLOUT FORTUNE King) in San Antonio, is paving the way on that plan. One of the concepts introduced to the plan was a culinary school for near DTSA on it's premises. The school will introduce Latin genre for students, this may be a first of it's kind in San Antonio. CIA will be involved with the "consulting" phase of it. I know the Alamo Comm.College Distr. has had several successful culinary school programs involving general novice to advanced skill with it's St. Phillips CC Culinary schools. The schools "CHURN out" future employees for this BOOMING industry. I ABSOLUTELY love Culinary Arts and hope that it will someday shape this town much like what is occuring in SA.

I would love to be involved in creating one for DTFW, I have been throwing the idea around for several years now to many of locals. They too seem very interested in it existing. It would be a "no brainer" in one existing in DTFW, considering how well publicized it's restaurant scene gets promoted by writers both local and afar. What do ya say?

Like Greg said, why not make more of a push to promote the arts here?

Awhhh, I'm CRUSHED here Johnny.

People of Cowtown! HEAR ME SPEAK!

Lol, sorry about that saf. I scrolled up to Greg's post and didn't scroll any further. Good to hear some positive suggestions from you

Cowtown is who we are...we will always be cowtown..if a cow never sets one hoof on our ground we are still Cowtown..I watched an interesting program the other night on PBS about Cowtown, our stockyards, our meat packing plants and how it all came to be and without all of that stuff we wouldnt be who we are now..we would probably still be Niles City etc. Those that cant handle the idea of have cows as our history need to just deal with it. I was in DTFW Sunday and I saw a cabby that says cowboy cabs or something like that. Its our history and while we may be progressing away from that image..its what put us on the map..like gambling is to vegas....cows are to Fort Worth....

The El Centro campus of the DCCC's is pretty well-know for a culinary program. Perhaps the same sort of thing (incorporating what is happening in SA) could be part of the downtown TCC campus in Fort Worth. Fort Worth is probably best known for beef, as in steaks and various organs, but we also have a fine tradition of Mexican/Southwest cuisine. Maybe Fort Worth could become known as (one of) the mixing bowl of these two traditions, with a little new age and some veggies thrown in. If fine food isn't an art form, what is?

I'll have to peg FW in the STEAKS side of the discussion. SW foods is more of an Albuquerque thing or Phoenix, you know with certain chiles and versions of a mole or bread. Mexican cuisine is not the norm here in FW, and I have even heard it from FW'ians too. Tex-Mex with steak this or that is more of the norm. Don't get me wrong, a culinary school is a culinary school and I think all genres of food must be experienced and appreciated especially if your ambition is to be a CHEF.
For instance, I have found a new appreciation for English gastronomy. Maybe a local culinary program could someday help a student create an English style restaurant in the heart of DTFW.

FW can brand the Cowboy Cuisine image like no other. That's for sure.

Cowtown is who we are...we will always be cowtown..if a cow never sets one hoof on our ground we are still Cowtown..I watched an interesting program the other night on PBS about  Cowtown, our stockyards, our meat packing plants and how it all came to be and without all of that stuff we wouldnt be who we are now..we would probably still be Niles City etc. Those that cant handle the idea of have cows as our history need to just deal with it. I was in DTFW Sunday and I saw a cabby that says cowboy cabs or something like that. Its our history and while we may be progressing away from that image..its what put us on the map..like gambling is to vegas....cows are to Fort Worth....

AMEN!!!!

I think students are the key to a burgeoning arts scene. The heavy hitters need to underwrite the art programs at all of the local unversities as a starting point. I would think the local museums would make a strong foundation for a strong student art culture. I think you also need an independent art school that seeks out non-traditional young artists and provides them an environment where they can develop their craft.

How much money do you think it would take to turn one of the warehouses south of 7th into a fully endowed art school? $10 - 20 Million?

Hey, Sid (Bass), write a check.

I don't want to bury the cowtown image, but why can't we be ALSO known for our aviation history?

If in doubt of our aviation history, here is an old post of mine from way back...

What about our heritage in Aviation? FW is rich in that as well as a western history. For instance GD now LockheedMartin started manufacturing military planes around WW2 and Bell Helicopter is based here right? Also with the construction of DFW Airport attracted American Airlines headquarters to FW as well. Even before DFW we had Meacham Airport. Also I think we got the first & maybe the only major industial airport (Alliance) that proved to be VERY succesfull since we lured dozens of companies to that area. What about Carswell now Fort Worth N.A.S? The first base to combine all branches of the military. I know some of you see all them planes in the air when you drive around Ridgmar Mall - what a sight!
Oh check this out...(from book I quoted at the time I posted this)

The first non-stop flight around the world was made by, again, a team of the US Air Force flyers in 1949. Taking off from Carswell Air Force base in Fort Worth, Texas on 26 February, Captain James Gallagher and a crew of 14 headed east in a B-50 Superfortress, called Lucky Lady II. They were refuelled four times in air by KB-29 tanker planes of the 43rd Air Refuelling Squadron, over the Azores, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Hawaii. The circumnavigation was completed on 2 March, having travelled 94 hours and 1 minute, covering 37 743 km (23,452 miles) at an average 398 km/h (249 mph).

I think the NBA took note of the aviation history I was trying to point out lol!

Out-takes of what was posted on the FortWorth Flyers NBDL homepage:



D-League Team in Fort Worth Unveils Team Name and Logo

FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 3 -- The NBA Development League team in Fort Worth announced today that its nickname will be the "Flyers". The Flyers' nickname not only makes reference to the community's vast aerospace industry, but also speaks to the tremendous growth of the Fort Worth marketplace, in particular the revitalization of downtown. The logo, featuring a capitalized flying letter "F" with a basketball backdrop, gives the team its new identity.

also...

Known as the city "Where the West Begins," Fort Worth, Texas has a deep cowboy heritage memorialized in American folklore by cattle drives, stockyards and oil barons. But since 1977, Fort Worth has moved forward with a high-flying revitalization that features a modern city with major interstate highways, an attractive skyline and new cultural attractions. Fort Worth is also home to various companies in the aerospace industry including American Airlines, Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

There was more info, but those were the parts giving props to the aviation and even cowboy culture. See, outside of Ft Worth the NBA know's other aspects than JUST cowtown

There was more info, but those were the parts giving props to the aviation and even cowboy culture. *See, outside of Ft Worth the NBA know's other aspects than JUST cowtown 

I seriously doubt that the NBA came up with this elaborate detail of FW's rich aeronautical past and burgeoning "city" life. It appears to be the works of our FWCAVBureau and our FW Athletic Commission. They sell the city into a colorful presentation and push it to the NBDL and investor$$$ who are promised a lucrative business venture, then whalla. Hopefully, this will stir some interest in FW's past, present , and future for potential visitors. I STRONGLY believe that in todays society, sports plays a major influence in shaping small relatively unknown towns into relatively known markets or cities. Second only to jobs.

I STRONGLY believe that in todays society, sports plays a major influence in shaping small relatively unknown towns into relatively known markets or cities. Second only to jobs.

Ditto

I think students are the key to a burgeoning arts scene.  The heavy hitters need to underwrite the art programs at all of the local unversities as a starting point.  I would think the local museums would make a strong foundation for a strong student art culture.  I think you also need an independent art school that seeks out non-traditional young artists and provides them an environment where they can develop their craft.

How much money do you think it would take to turn one of the warehouses south of 7th into a fully endowed art school?  $10 - 20 Million?

Hey, Sid (Bass), write a check.

I'd say $3 to 6 million. Full fledged. But since it is a fully endowed Art school, the cry for needy financial help will make it appear as a $10-20 million job.

The only real problem I see with Bassy cuttin out a check to this venture will be the conditions having to be associated with the offer. If you notice, a lot of what is supported by this giving family have "committees, leagues, or boards" in association with. So needs will have to be tended too. Philantropic offerings has it's priviledges.

I say make it a publicly supported venture. I would rather have some tax revenues support the Arts Educational Endeavours, and not the annual Rodeo.

Cowtown is who we are...we will always be cowtown..if a cow never sets one hoof on our ground we are still Cowtown..I watched an interesting program the other night on PBS about  Cowtown, our stockyards, our meat packing plants and how it all came to be and without all of that stuff we wouldnt be who we are now..we would probably still be Niles City etc. Those that cant handle the idea of have cows as our history need to just deal with it. I was in DTFW Sunday and I saw a cabby that says cowboy cabs or something like that. Its our history and while we may be progressing away from that image..its what put us on the map..like gambling is to vegas....cows are to Fort Worth....

AMEN!!!!

Cowtown is part of who we are. An important part, of course, and I agree that it should remain a part of our image.

But the question is this: How good a job are we doing at selling the whole story? How much of our marketing message should we focus on that one aspect of this multi-faceted jewel of a city at the expense of other facets? Has our promotion been as effective as it could be? Has it spent too much effort pointing out the one thing about Fort Worth outsiders are most likely to already know (or to assume, since we're a city in Texas).

If we want to promote the city effectively, these aren't questions to ask every 10 or 20 years. The tastes and preferences of our target market change too quickly. We should be analyzing how we promote the city all the time.

Many on the forum feel we over-sell the western theme. Only a very few, if any, want to pretend that all of that never happened.

I do, however, wish that I could pretend that the "Longhorns and NASCAR" road trip to NYC had never happened.

Cowtown is part of who we are. An important part, of course, and I agree that it should remain a part of our image.

But the question is this: How good a job are we doing at selling the whole story? How much of our marketing message should we focus on that one aspect of this multi-faceted jewel of a city at the expense of other facets? Has our promotion been as effective as it could be? Has it spent too much effort pointing out the one thing about Fort Worth outsiders are most likely to already know (or to assume, since we're a city in Texas).

If we want to promote the city effectively, these aren't questions to ask every 10 or 20 years. The tastes and preferences of our target market change too quickly. We should be analyzing how we promote the city all the time.

Many on the forum feel we over-sell the western theme. Only a very few, if any, want to pretend that all of that never happened.

I do, however, wish that I could pretend that the "Longhorns and NASCAR" road trip to NYC had never happened.

*Insert bowing smiley*

Wow, it's exactly what I'm thinking, only stated much more eloquently. Thank you!

in brief - the problem isn't in being known for our western heritage. the problem is in being known *only* for our western heritage.

Yes yes yes. Well put. I nominate you for head of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Or perhaps as the Brand Manager for the city.

The day Fort Worth is stripped of its name "Cowtown" is the day Fort Worth has died and become Dallas II.

The day Fort Worth is stripped of its name "Cowtown" is the day Fort Worth has died and become Dallas II.

HERE, HERE!!!!!!!!

The day Fort Worth is stripped of its name "Cowtown" is the day Fort Worth has died and become Dallas II.

Dallas II? People already call this the Dallas area. So FW was never alive to outsiders to begin with.

EXACTLY. But, Bocephus thinks otherwise.

Being that I am mostly and mainly a city slicker, born and raised in Fort Worth, I was and I am henceforth bewitched by the sight of a "white-faced, black angus calf" frolicking playfully around its mother. Though this particular scene was played out in my maternal mother's small east-central Texas town on a cool spring morning and not in Fort Worth, I was nonetheless struck by the beauty of this pastoral scene which has always remained with me.

Fort Worth is fortunate to have been historically linked with this magnificent creature; and one day if not now, Fort Worth maybe able to parlay its well-deserved bovine connection into a gateway to India, the soon to be world's most populous nation. Fort Worth ought to sister city with the sub-continent and import both its money and tourism which India could bring to Fort Worth over other Texas and American cities which are not associated with the COW.. Just don't serve them beef!..hehehe...and with that my vote is:"COWS, COWS, COWS FOREVER"



"Keep Fort Worth folksy!"

Only in India they revere cows and here they slaughtered them.

I prefer the Panther City angle to Cowtown. It adapts well as a business name and compliments our baseball team.

(not to mention i'm a huge cat lover!!!)

Only in India they revere cows and here they slaughtered them.

I prefer the Panther City angle to Cowtown.  It adapts well as a business name and compliments our baseball team. 

(not to mention i'm a huge cat lover!!!)

AGREED! Though the name serves as a negative connotation.

BRAD PITT SPOTTED IN COWTOWN!
http://www.edmontons...184593-sun.html

(oops, wrong cowtown)

The day Fort Worth is stripped of its name "Cowtown" is the day Fort Worth has died and become Dallas II.

word up to your mother

It's impossible for the incessant pretense of Dallas to overwhelm the Cow Power of Fort Worth. It's like an invisible shield protecting Fort Worth that I would never want to see diminish.

Yes, indeed the Cow is sacred here in FW. Alive and well. It chews up loads of Dallas only to regergitate it and chew up more into smaller cud bits for safe digestion. Her 4 part stomach serves as a reminder of patience and diligence through times of need throughout our city's growing process. UDDER madness FW would become at her loss .

When the time is right then she will be used as sacrifice for all in...... MENUDO!


.....And LENGUA! And Rib-eye. And...

YUM.

The day Fort Worth is stripped of its name "Cowtown" is the day Fort Worth has died and become Dallas II.

Very well put .Very well put ! Non- Cowboy types are welcome to wear what they want and the kind of Music they want to hear. So don't say your not a Cowboy and force you way into Fort Worth by saying the Longhorn is lame.

Fort Worth has a identity and History .Cowboy, Culture and Cockpit's in my opinion.

Cowboy up? Fort Worth hollers "heck yeah"

(09/29/05 article from the Denver Post, written by Douglas Brown)

That was a nice article on the city. Thanks, as always, for posting.