Fort Worth Stockyards Keep Cowboy Culture Front and Center

FORT WORTH, Texas (TXAN 24) — In the heart of Fort Worth, where longhorns still walk brick streets and rodeo calls echo nightly, the Stockyards aren’t just a tourist stop—they’re Texas history in motion.

Once the cattle shipping capital of the world, the Fort Worth Stockyards were established in the late 1800s, growing alongside the railroads. By 1907, over 1 million cattle a year passed through its pens, earning Fort Worth the nickname “Cowtown.”

But it wasn’t just about beef. The Stockyards became a cultural hub—home to auctions, saloons, and the grit of the American cowboy.

Today, the area is fully restored but fiercely authentic. From the daily longhorn cattle drive down Exchange Avenue to live rodeos inside Cowtown Coliseum, the Stockyards blend Texas roots with modern energy.

The Stockyards Station area features live music, western wear shops, museums, and original stock pens, while Billy Bob’s Texas—the world’s largest honky-tonk—hosts big-name country acts weekly.

Events like Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering, Texas Country Music Awards, and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo keep the calendar full, drawing visitors from around the globe.

Cowboy boots still hit dirt here—not for show, but for legacy.

The Stockyards aren’t just preserving Texas culture—they’re living it, one hoofbeat at a time.