171 replies to this topic

[John T Roberts]

On the second Saturday of every month, Rick Selcer hosts a Downtown Walking Tour.  This month, it features Fort Worth's Historic Hotels past and present.  They meet at 9:00 AM at the Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal.  As of right now, there are a few spots open, but they may not last very long.

 

For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/walkFW

[John T Roberts]

I have been attending these tours off and on over the last few years, but tomorrow will be the first time that I will be a tour guide.  The tour this month is of Sundance Square.  According to Eventbrite, there are only four tickets left.  So if you want to do something on the spur of the moment, come join me on this month's tour.  I apologize for such short notice, but this is something that I am notorious for doing.  The tour starts at the Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal at 9:00 AM.

[David_H]

It was great meeting you this morning, John.

I've been wanting to take part in one of these walking tours for ages and this was the first time I've been in town with no commitments.

The tour was very enjoyable and I liked that you can bring you own perspective to the group, over and above the tour script. You and Tim worked well together.

Even though I walk that area nearly everyday, I leaned a lot - I'd recommend these walking tours highly!

[John T Roberts]

Thanks for coming.  It was a lot of fun for me to join in on one of these tours.  Tim and I are also working on the redesign of this site.  I've known Tim and Donna for a few years now, and I actually met them through Historic Fort Worth and some of my downtown work.  I'm pleased that you recommended the tours the forum.  It was nice to meet you today.  I always enjoy meeting the forum members face to face when I have the opportunity.

[John T Roberts]

This Saturday, April 15th, there will be another Downtown Walking Tour.  Please join me, Rick Selcer, Tim Young, and Brian Ketcham for a tour of Downtown's Public Art.  One of our forum member's art will be featured.  The tours start at 9:00 AM at the Texas and Pacific Lofts Leasing Office inside the historic Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal.  I hope that more forum members could attend this month.

[John T Roberts]

I'm surprised no one has replied.  These tours are an excellent way of learning about the city.  The tours are also different each month, with a different subject each time.  However, the tours do repeat from time to time.  Usually, every November, John F. Kennedy is the subject matter that we discuss in depth.  Decembers are reserved for the church tour.

[panthercity]

I would like to attend one of these, however, Saturday I will be visiting family in Childress. If I'm available next month I would like to participate.

[JBB]

I would enjoy any of these tours and would love to go on one, but I work most Saturdays and I usually have a reason when I do get to take one off.  

[John T Roberts]

I understand that many people have things to do on Saturdays, including work at their job.  I have worked many Saturdays in my career.  You don't have to make every one, but we are an interesting group.  Rick Selcer, who is a renowned historian, author, and professor leads the most popular group, because he is a little bit of a comedian, along with all of his other qualities and background.  Tim Young and his wife Donna are downtown residents, who get to walk the streets daily.  Brian Ketcham is a history and drama teacher.  Then, you have yours truly.  My background is in architecture and history.  As many of you know, I am currently serving as Chairman of Historic Fort Worth, Inc., the city's preservation non-profit organization.  This is just another opportunity to get to meet some of the forum members who can't make the monthly forum meetings.

[David_H]

My wife and I are both planning on coming along this time. 

 

It's an interesting topic this month and we are looking forward to it. 

 

I'm not able to attend the monthly forum meetings (I'm working Fridays and my office is a way north at Northern Cross Blvd) so it would be super to see some forum members at one of these events. Nice way to start the weekend. 

[hipolyte]

Where do you sign up? I went to the FB page but it wasn't clear...

[John T Roberts]

Go to the Facebook page, scroll down to Monuments and Public Art Tour, click on that link to Eventbrite, and then sign up for the tickets.  Hipolyte, my group will be going up to your sculpture, so if you are in my group, I will ask you to tell everyone a little bit about it.

[hipolyte]

Signed up.  

[John T Roberts]

Great, it will be nice to have you there.

[Dylan]

Looks like I will be able to join y'all.

[John T Roberts]

Great!  I think there are so many people signed up that there will be four separate groups.

[hipolyte]

It was great fun, John. Thanks.

[John T Roberts]

Hipolyte, you are welcome.  I also appreciate your input.

[Dylan]

Thanks for the tour, John!

 

Hopefully, I can attend the Southside tour next month as well.

[John T Roberts]

You're welcome.  I hope that you can come back next month.  The tour will be on May 13th at 9 AM.  The starting point is the Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal.

[John T Roberts]

This month's tour is Saturday at 9:00 AM at the Texas and Pacific Railway Station.  This month, the tour is leaving downtown and is going to the Near South Side.  Come join us.

[Dylan]

Just signed up.

[John T Roberts]

The next walking tour is June 10th at 9:00 AM.  You can sign up here: https://www.eventbri...ets-34926586360

 

This is the Skyline Tour and it includes a history of Fort Worth's Skyscrapers.  The new Frost Tower will be included on my tour and it will be mentioned by the other tour guides.  I can't guarantee that they will walk everyone by the construction site.

[John T Roberts]

Come join me on Saturday Morning at 9:00 AM at the Texas & Pacific Lofts for the Skyscraper Tour of downtown.  It should be a lot of fun.  There will be at least two other tour guides leading the groups.

[hipolyte]

John,

How long do you anticipate the tour lasting? And where does this one usually end up? I would like to come, but have to leave before 11:00 am...

[John T Roberts]

We will probably end up at Sundance Square.  You could always come and then leave at the time you need to go.  People who have to cut out early do not offend the tour guides.  My guess is that we will finish between 11 and 12.

[hipolyte]

Well, discovered late last night the other program has moved an hour and twenty minutes earlier, so no walking tour today... bummer.

[John T Roberts]

It was a good one, and we had three good groups.  There is always next month.

[Dylan]

I'm disappointed we didn't get to enter a condo tower and look down from above. Was looking forward to doing that.

 

Otherwise, it was an interesting tour.

[John T Roberts]

I know that Tim and Rick try to get access into a building on these tours, but a lot of times, things don't work out.  These days, due to security, most building owners do not want guests in them.

[John T Roberts]

This Saturday is the next Downtown Fort Worth Walking Tour.  There will be a special surprise tour for those who desire to take it.  That's all I can add for a teaser.  The tour starts at 9:00 AM at the Texas and Pacific Lofts. 

[hipolyte]

Couldn't make it, but am very curious about the surprise tour...

[John T Roberts]

Rick Selcer and Brian Ketcham led a murder mystery themed tour.  That was the "surprise".  Donna Young led an arts tour, Tim Young led a general history tour, and I led an architectural tour.  Even though there were different themes, it actually worked quite well for something different.  Next month will be "XT uh-Oh" dealing with the company's past impact on downtown and what the impact will be when they move to the Woodlands.

[Dylan]

Funny- when I heard Donna's tour was going to include a tour of Bass Hall, I figured that was the surprise.

 

I decided to go on Rick's murder tour instead.

 

[John T Roberts]

Dylan, how was it?

[Austin55]

If you want to tour Bass, they run them every Saturday at 10:30. They are free.

[Dylan]

Dylan, how was it?

 

The murder tour was pretty interesting. I wasn't familiar with any of the stories he shared, so I learned a lot.

 

Many of the buildings are gone, so we had to use a bit of imagination. He brought pictures of historical buildings (including some from this website) to help.

 

 

If you want to tour Bass, they run them every Saturday at 10:30. They are free.

 

Did not know that. Thanks!

[John T Roberts]

The August 2017 Downtown Walking Tour is this Saturday, August 12th at 9:00 AM.  We will meet at the Texas & Pacific Lofts inside the T&P Terminal.  The tour is titled "X-T-uh-Oh" and will feature the XTO buildings.  We will also discuss the impact the company had on downtown and the impact of them leaving downtown.

[JKC]

John, are you giving the tour Saturday?

[John T Roberts]

I was one of the tour guides.  However, the tour was last Saturday, the 12th.  We are skipping September, so the next one will not be until October 14th.

[JKC]

I see that now, I suppose I could have read more carefully.  Thanks

[John T Roberts]

I'm sorry you missed it.  A lot of the forum members who have attended have really enjoyed the presentations.  Each of us have our won style.  This month's tour may have been one of a kind, since we dealt with XTO and their impact on Fort Worth.  My tour actually had an Exxon/Mobil fellow, who is assisting in the transition, walk with us. 

[Jeriat]

I'm sorry you missed it.  A lot of the forum members who have attended have really enjoyed the presentations.  Each of us have our won style.  This month's tour may have been one of a kind, since we dealt with XTO and their impact on Fort Worth.  My tour actually had an Exxon/Mobil fellow, who is assisting in the transition, walk with us. 

 

Hmm?

[hipolyte]

John, is there a walking tour tomorrow, September 9th? I didn't see anything on one on the FW walking tour FB page...

[John T Roberts]

There is not one scheduled for tomorrow.  The next one will be in October.

[Dylan]

You proposed a photography tour last month. Is that off?

[John T Roberts]

I guess it is.  I think you were the only one interested.  I would still be willing to do it next Saturday, if there will be enough interest.  I have been downtown taking pictures of the Frost Tower construction every weekend, but the time in which I have been down there has been erratic.  It all depends on what I have going on, as to when I make it downtown.

[Dylan]

Where should we meet?

[John T Roberts]

Are you talking about next Saturday?

[Dylan]

Saturday the 16th? Actually, that would probably be better. I may not get much sleep tonight.

 

EDIT- I misinterpreted your previous post.