Outline:
New Walking Tours Highlight Fort Worth’s Black History
Fort Worth is launching a new initiative to celebrate and educate the public about the city’s rich Black history through walking tours. The Soul of Fort Worth: Black History Tours aim to uncover the stories of the city’s historic Black communities, offering two distinct routes that explore key locations in Fort Worth.
The first tour focuses on the Historic Southside, while the second takes participants through Sundance Square. These tours are designed to showcase the pioneers, buildings, and legacies that have shaped Fort Worth’s identity over the years. According to Mason Thompson, founder and CEO of Soul of Fort Worth, these experiences will provide a deeper understanding of the city’s cultural heritage.
Limited Tour Dates and Pricing
The tours will run for a limited time, with three scheduled dates in January: January 17, 24, and 30. Each tour lasts approximately an hour and a half, and tickets are priced at $25 per person. Those interested can sign up by visiting souloffortworth.com.
Thompson created these tours with the goal of telling the stories of Black individuals who played a vital role in building Fort Worth. He emphasizes that many people overlook the contributions of African Americans in the city’s development.
A Personal Connection to Black History
Raised in Fort Worth, Thompson has deep roots in the city. His grandparents lived in the Historic Southside and Stop Six neighborhoods, and he attended Trimble Technical High School. He later graduated from Huston-Tillotson University in Austin with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in African and African American studies.
During his time at the university, Thompson became involved with Black Austin Tours, a company led by Javier Wallace that offers walking tours focused on Austin’s Black history. This experience inspired him to create similar tours in Fort Worth, highlighting the city’s own Black history and culture.
Research and Community Involvement
Thompson conducted extensive research using resources such as Newspapers.com, the Fort Worth History Center, and The Portal to Texas History. He also belongs to the Tarrant County Black Historical & Genealogical Society, which further supports his mission to preserve and share Black history in the region.
While Fort Worth has made efforts to recognize its Black history—such as the mural at Fort Worth Central Station honoring African American railroad businesses and the annual Juneteenth celebrations—Thompson wants to go beyond traditional methods of storytelling. He believes that experiencing history firsthand, through visual and physical engagement, is more impactful than learning through social media or reading alone.
Highlights of the Tours
The Historic Southside tour will feature several significant landmarks, including the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods, named after a late educator. Participants will also learn about figures like William “Gooseneck Bill” McDonald, a local businessman who left a lasting impact on the community.
On the Sundance Square tour, attendees will visit Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Fort Worth’s oldest African American Baptist church, and the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 2144, which was home to a Black fraternal organization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Future Plans and Goals
Looking ahead, Thompson plans to expand the tours to include Lake Como and the Stop Six neighborhood. His ultimate goal is to help people understand and appreciate the history of Fort Worth’s Black communities, encouraging them to take ownership of the past and recognize its influence on the present.
“I believe everybody has a story, especially our people here in Fort Worth,” Thompson said. Through these tours, he hopes to ensure that the stories of Black Fort Worth residents are not only told but celebrated.