Fort Worth's Historic Hotels (S. De Santiago Ramos)

Fort Worth, originally named Camp Worth, was founded as an army outpost in 1849, and the old cavalry stables became Fort Worth's first hotel. The Texas & Pacific Railroad arrived in Fort Worth in July 1876, bringing the need for more lodging. Shortly after its arrival, boardinghouses and simple accommodations were quickly opened. At the turn of the century, Fort Worth became a center for cattle ranchers, and the first luxury hotels were built. By the next decade, wealthy oil barons replaced the cattle ranchers, and the demand for larger and more elaborate hotels was established. Many of these first hotels were replaced with motor lodges and smaller chain hotels after the growth of the automobile industry; however, a few are still in operation today.

Simone C. De Santiago Ramos is a historian and doctorate student at the University of North Texas with an international background in hotel management. She teaches history at the university level and also works as a research consultant. De Santiago Ramos has selected images from a variety of archives, libraries, and individual collections to illustrate the history of hotels in Fort Worth and the role they played in the growth of the city.