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Lake Worth and Jacksboro Highway


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#1 TanyaO

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:51 AM

Could someone point me in the right direction on finding out some historical info on Lake Worth and Jacksboro Highway? I'd especially like to find out a little more info about the Lake Worth Bridge, and if it was ever called Nine Mile Bridge. Also I'm looking for info on the old casino and amusement park that was there. I know Lake Worth doesn't offer too much architecture wise, but I find the stories about the gangsters and the gambling that used to go on in the area quite interesting. I have purchased a couple of old postcards on Ebay that say "Nine Mile Bridge At Lake Worth, Fort Worth, Texas". I know there is a Nine Mile Bridge Road just north of Lake Worth. I'm wondering if the bridges pictured in the postcards are the fore-runners of the one that is there on Jacksboro Highway now, or were they located somewhere else? Any help or info on where to look will be appreciated! I have posted scans of the postcards on this page:
http://www.livefromp.../lakeworth.html

#2 Sam B Stone

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:52 AM

http://www.amazon.co...9528023-0356734

#3 Doug

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:52 AM

There's a pretty interesting little bookstore in the east end of the 1st floor of the FW Livestock Exchange Bldg on Exchange Ave. He has numerous old and new books on local points of interest and some postcards and other memoribilia.

#4 Buck

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:53 AM

I've seen those postcards and I think they are both on the Jacksboro Highway, but one is a newer bridge.

One postcard shows a horseback rider crossing a narrow bridge, I believe. Another card shows a different bridge with the Casino Beach rollercoaster in the background.

There are probably some Casino Beach clippings in the Star-Telegram reference collection at UTA.

--Buck

#5 John T Roberts

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:53 AM

The second photo looks like the old Lake Worth Bridge that was replaced a number of years ago.

#6 gdvanc

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:53 AM

I agree with John that the bridge in the second postcard was the one where Jacksboro Highway crosses the north end of Lake Worth, adjacent Casino Beach. I think that bridge was replaced by the current bridge in the mid- to late-eighties. Give or take a little. I don't recall ever hearing it called the Nine Mile Bridge, but it's possible. There is also a Ten Mile Bridge Road a bit further north.

The book Sam recommended is very interesting. I saw it on a rack when buying my school books this semester and before I knew it I had read most of it. The author gave a talk at the River Oaks Area Historical Society a couple of years ago, and a transcript is available on their web site. If you enjoy that, you'll probably enjoy the book.

The Handbook of Texas Online has a brief article on Lake Worth Village that mentions the recreational area.

There is a painting by Sweetie Ladd of the "Nine-Mile Brige Casino". It's in the book "Sweetie Ladd's Historic Fort Worth" if you can find a copy. Surely there's one at the Fort Worth Public Library or at a library at TCU.

I saw one reference to the "Thriller Roller Coaster" at Casino Beach (in a list of Jack White's photographs in the UTA Library's Special Collections).

There is information about this to be had, but it would require some digging around. The bookstore Doug mentioned is probably a great place to start.

Good Luck!

#7 TanyaO

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:54 AM

Thanks so much for all the info! I've read the book a couple of you mentioned, it was great. It's been a few years since I've read it, I'll have to borrow it from my brother again. I did manage to find a little info on the roller coaster that was out there. It was built by a famous roller coaster designer named John A. Miller. http://www.incoasterpaedia.com (click on the Texas map) They list two coasters one called The Thriller 1929-1940, and The Rocket 1930-1951. They also list a little about the roller coaster at Lake Como. So if I'm looking at these postcards right, and they are both the Lake Worth bridge, judging from the looks of them, the bridge that now stands, built sometime in the mid to late eighties, is actually the 3RD Lake Worth bridge. I remember the old one before they tore it down, even as a kid I thought it was a beautiful bridge. I think I may have some photos of it taken the last time the lake froze over before the new bridge was built(I think, before, I may be wrong). My mom and step-dad went while we were in school and walked across the lake, and had someone take their pictures. I was so mad they didn't come get me out of school so I could do it too!

#8 John T Roberts

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:54 AM

I asked my mother tonight about the bridge and she did confirm that the old Lake Worth Bridge at Casino Beach was called the Nine Mile Bridge. She also told me of the many fun evenings she had at the Casino Ballroom.

#9 kklein fw

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:55 AM

I came across your request for information on the Lake Worth/Jacksboro
Highway area quite by accident. However, I do write a weekly historical
column for the NW Times-Record newspaper called "Our Corner of the
County". I have written just about everything historical about Lake Worth,
- every nightclub - every kind of business - including Casino Beach.

The postcard you have in question showing the narrow bridge with wooden
slats was indeed Nine Mile Bridge - but it was the original bridge. At that
time, Jacksboro Highway was simply known as State Highway 34. Very
few roads existed that were designed for automotive travel. The bridge
simply could not handle the volume of traffic. It was originally designed to
span the Trinity River, which Lake Worth was carved out of.

In the mid portion of 1928, a new bridge was constructed by the City of
Fort Worth and was located about a quarter of a mile north of the old
bridge, which shows on the newer postcard.

#10 kklein fw

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:56 AM

Found out some additional information about the Lake Worth bridge. It was officially opened on August 10th, 1931. A large ceremony, including fireworks and free entertainment at the Casino Ballroom were held.
Committeemen from North Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Kiwanis Clubs sponsored the event. Master of ceremonies was Judge Lattimore. Member of the State Highway Commission and Governor Sterling were invited to the event. A platform for the Band was erected, and the Orchestra was led by Oliver Shannon and H.B. Ruch.

#11 UTAmav91

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:56 AM

speaking of Lake Worth bridge, anyone know when the construction will be finished on Jacksboro Highway around there? Rush hour traffic is heavy to say the least.

#12 ghughes

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:56 AM

Most highway construction projects around here appear to be "planned" for maximum employment continuity. There is rarely value added by rapid completion, the High-Five being a notable exception with significant early-completion bonuses for the prime.

Some of Arlington's street improvement projects drove enough businesses away that finish time now forms a part of their bid process. Again, a notable exception.

#13 rrickyf

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:57 AM

There right about the nine mile bridge being north of the old one, you can see it faintly on the newer post card, I have 4 pictures of pretty good quality I can email you on the old Casino Park & area, I'm 40 years old and worked at the park (the miniature golf course) when I was a teenager (most of the park was gone by that time), it was sort of a ghost town by then, I remember playing a pinball card game machine that only cost .10 cents (it was an old machine) which coincidentally I have ran across another one recently. I grew up on that side of Fort Worth, so did my father & his mother (giving me additional in-site of the area. I also played hockey with my friends on top of Lake Worth and walk all the way across it when it iced over back around 1979. I would be glad to hear from you on this subject, email me at rrickyf@yahoo.com. Ricky

#14 hipolyte

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:57 AM

Alright, there is an upcoming presentation on the history of Lake Worth scheduled for March 19th (yes, tomorrow) at 11:30 am. It will be held in the back room of the Old South on Belknap Street.
The speaker will be Dink Starns, noted historian of Fort Worth, who was responsible many years ago for the McCoy Trail marker just to the East of the Paddock Viaduct.
I think the venue is a Lion's club meeting.

#15 UTAmav91

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Posted 11 April 2004 - 09:57 AM

Fascinating discussion in place...great thread!

By the way, they just switched the lanes up a bit on the Lake Worth bridge yesterday which means they're making good progress. And an article in one of the local papers (the Azle News if I recall correctly) says that it will be one-lane each way on the bridge for only another month or too--very, very cool. The remainder of the project will take another year or so, but the major traffic bottlenecks around the bridge are almost a thing of the past. Yippee!!!

#16 TXSnoot

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Posted 16 November 2004 - 11:14 PM

Fascinating discussion in place...great thread!

By the way, they just switched the lanes up a bit on the Lake Worth bridge yesterday which means they're making good progress. And an article in one of the local papers (the Azle News if I recall correctly) says that it will be one-lane each way on the bridge for only another month or too--very, very cool. The remainder of the project will take another year or so, but the major traffic bottlenecks around the bridge are almost a thing of the past. Yippee!!!

View Post



oh my...

I used to live in the Azle/Springtown area and hated that commute into Fort Worth. I realize now, with all that's going on with 199, I had NO reason to complain back then! HA!

Do they still have the bumper stickers, "Pray for me, I drive Hwy 199"?
:cheez:

#17 tarzan1946

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Posted 17 November 2004 - 12:32 AM

The original nine mile bridge crossed The Trinity River before Lake Worth was built. The road now known as Azle Avenue came out of Fort Worth and was known at one time as the Ft. Worth-Springtown Highway and later as Nine Mile Bridge Road. The path of the roadway would continue on from where Azle Avenue now ends and followed Foster Drive to aboout where Rench Road is now and crossed the Trinity River between what is now Casino Beach and the new boat launch. It then continued on what is now Somerville Place and Midland across what is now Jacksboro Hwy. to Road Runner. It continued on to Azle and on, weaving off and on what is now Jacksboro Hwy to enter Azle on what is now Silver Creek Azle Rd.
I researched this using a 1917 soil map that has roads and physical features along with current TAD maps which have the same scale. The built up levee of the roadbed at the edge of Lake Worth is W. of Casino Beach still exists beneath the power line towers. Some of the old postcards and photos of Casino Beach show both The Jacksboro Hwy Bridge (built around 1930) and the older Nine mile bridge. You probably already know this but the Nine Mile bridge was nine miles from the court house as the present Ten mile bridge is likewise ten miles.

Respectfully submitted

#18 WESTHMESS

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Posted 05 September 2006 - 12:16 PM

QUOTE(TanyaO @ Apr 11 2004, 10:51 AM) View Post

Could someone point me in the right direction on finding out some historical info on Lake Worth and Jacksboro Highway? I'd especially like to find out a little more info about the Lake Worth Bridge, and if it was ever called Nine Mile Bridge. Also I'm looking for info on the old casino and amusement park that was there. I know Lake Worth doesn't offer too much architecture wise, but I find the stories about the gangsters and the gambling that used to go on in the area quite interesting. I have purchased a couple of old postcards on Ebay that say "Nine Mile Bridge At Lake Worth, Fort Worth, Texas". I know there is a Nine Mile Bridge Road just north of Lake Worth. I'm wondering if the bridges pictured in the postcards are the fore-runners of the one that is there on Jacksboro Highway now, or were they located somewhere else? Any help or info on where to look will be appreciated! I have posted scans of the postcards on this page:
http://www.livefromp.../lakeworth.html


Would you please refresh the link. It no longer is a valid site and I'd love to see the pics. Thanks in advance,
Wes smile.gif


#19 LanceHall

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Posted 02 October 2015 - 08:23 PM

The original (first) bridge is supposed to have been where the power lines cross the lake which is nowhere near the current bridge. 

 

This may have actually been before the wooden bridge in the postcards but not sure.



#20 Dismuke

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Posted 03 October 2015 - 08:03 PM

The original (first) bridge is supposed to have been where the power lines cross the lake which is nowhere near the current bridge. 

 

This may have actually been before the wooden bridge in the postcards but not sure.

 

 

Lance  - you are correct in that the original bridge crossed near the power lines.   It was parallel and just southwest of the power line - i.e., on the opposite side of the power line from the present day bridge.

 

Those power towers are quite historic themselves - they actually predate the old Casino Beach development and are the only element that remains from the park's glory days. You can clearly see them in a number of vintage photos of the park.  Someone once told me what year they were put up - but I forget who and exactly what year.  They were what first brought electricity from Fort Worth to the other side of the lake where the beach was.

 

I took some photos of the towers earlier this year.  I noticed that the one on the Casino Beach side of the lake still has its manufacture's name plate on it.  It reads: U.S. Wind Engine & Pump Co. Bratavia  Illinois.    This company was a major manufacturer of windmills - and the power towers are not built all that much different than windmill towers were.

 

I actually think that a case could me made that the towers deserve some sort of historical designation such as the National Register or a historical marker.  They are almost 100 years old and, while not as glamorous as buildings, they are not just the only thing remaining of the famous Casino Beach, they are also excellent and still functional examples of vintage infrastructure.   Not sure how someone would go about getting something like that started.  If anybody knows, perhaps we could submit whatever is needed to get the process started. It would be sad to see them replaced.

 

Here are the photos I took:

twotowers.jpg

A view of both towers with the one on the Casino Beach side in the foreground.  The old bridge ran to the right of the towers.



towername.jpg
Name plate reads: "U.S. Wind Engine & Pump Co. Bratavia Illinois"

 

tower.jpg
Another view of the tower on the Casino Beach side.  You can see today's bridge on the left side of the image.  The original bridge started in the right side of the photo and ran parallel to the new bridge.

towersky.jpg
Tower on Casino Beach side looking up.
 


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#21 GenE

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Posted 04 October 2015 - 11:48 AM

 

 

I actually think that a case could me made that the towers deserve some sort of historical designation such as the National Register or a historical marker.  They are almost 100 years old and, while not as glamorous as buildings, they are not just the only thing remaining of the famous Casino Beach, they are also excellent and still functional examples of vintage infrastructure.   Not sure how someone would go about getting something like that started.  If anybody knows, perhaps we could submit whatever is needed to get the process started. It would be sad to see them replaced.

 


 

 

 

I bet you could check with the Austin History Center and get advice from them on submitting for a historical designation.  After all, Austin has done a lot to preserve the Moonlight Towers.

 

I would like to see all that ivy and other green growth disposed of.  It seems to me that the growth twisting around the girders could be damaging to the whole tower.



#22 Ghost Writer in Disguise

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Posted 04 October 2015 - 04:58 PM

No "r" in Batavia. https://en.wikipedia...tavia,_Illinois



#23 M C Toyer

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Posted 05 October 2015 - 09:14 PM

Dismuke -

 

Nice work on the tower photos and research.  I think I spotted a similar one following the Texas Electric Railway.  It was near but not on the interurban ROW nor related to it.  So far I've only found the single example but not where the service originated.

 

Not familiar with the National Historic Register but the Texas Historic Marker program is pretty simple.   Applications for 2016 must be submitted by 15 November and approvals are announced the following January.  There is an annual statewide quota and the subject matter is rated on several criteria.

 

I'm not able to post a link here for some reason but email me or just Google  - Texas Historical Marker 2016.

 

I obtained one in 2014 but took more than a year to iron out the inscription errors and have the marker cast.  The Texas Historic Commission prepares the inscription based on the application, which is a 6-8 page narrative with appropriate footnotes.



#24 detail larry

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Posted 01 November 2015 - 09:23 PM

I have a lot of info on the casino / I have the onion copies of the original agreement with the city and the Ohio amusement company , including the details , I also have another document where the city basically reposses the property for non payment - and a complete accounting and the a new lease drawn up.

#25 earlbutkus

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Posted 22 May 2017 - 12:24 AM

If you look up Historic Aerials, more evidence of the bridge can be seen.



#26 Nitixope

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Posted 18 January 2023 - 08:59 AM

New Hampton Inn Lake Worth

 

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023009565

 

Estimated Cost: $7,000,000
Type of Work: New Construction
Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.
Scope of Work: Fully sprinklered new 5 story hotel with site works.
Square Footage: 57,882 ft 2


#27 Jeriat

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Posted 19 January 2023 - 05:34 PM

 

New Hampton Inn Lake Worth

 

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023009565

 

Estimated Cost: $7,000,000
Type of Work: New Construction
Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.
Scope of Work: Fully sprinklered new 5 story hotel with site works.
Square Footage: 57,882 ft 2

 

Was that on hold for like a year...?


7fwPZnE.png

 

8643298391_d47584a085_b.jpg


#28 steave

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Posted 19 January 2023 - 06:26 PM

Yes, is that the thing with the cinder block elevator shafts by the House of Blades?

 

That's a notable promontory, you can see the Lake Worth water tower and that abandoned construction site on a clear day from Alta Mere as you go towards I-30.

 

Would be a sweet view if they did build a 5 story hotel there.



#29 Nitixope

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Posted 19 January 2023 - 07:30 PM

Agreed, the view will be nice.
There is another office building being built behind House of Blades, with a potential second floor restaurant. Ill dig up the TDLR and post it here.

Also, Lake Worth is getting a new Outback Steakhouse over by Cheddars and Boomer Jacks.

#30 Nitixope

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Posted 20 September 2023 - 02:24 PM

Record PV23-00318: 
Commercial Razing Permit
Record Status: Issued
 
Permit Address
8028 MALAGA DR
 
Project Description:
City of Fort Worth Malaga
Demolish 9 camping structures located on Malaga Dr in Fort Worth for the City of Fort Worth.
 

0Z49520.png



#31 Thurman52

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Posted 20 September 2023 - 04:08 PM

Isn’t that the old camp shuman Boy Scout camp?



#32 John T Roberts

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Posted 20 September 2023 - 07:24 PM

Thurman52, I believe that it is.



#33 Nitixope

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Posted 20 September 2023 - 10:01 PM

Isnt that the old camp shuman Boy Scout camp?

What I find impressive is that most of this wooded land shown here is city-owned, including at least one lakefront lot north of the red pin as well as Mosque Point Park over to the west side of the image.

DVzc6e0.jpg




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