Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show

Fort Worth Stock Yards Company publicist Charles C. French and local cattleman Charles C. McFarland oranized the first livestock show in north Fort Worth in 1896. Members of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association (TCRA) participated in the initial show. The Fort Worth Stock Yards Company built a new coliseum in north Fort Worth in 1908 with the help of TCRA members. That year the National Feeders and Breeders Show opened with various events including a cutting horse competition and a horse show. The event, renamed the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in 1918, included an indoor rodeo competition, youth activities, and a debutante social pagent popularized by the City's more prominent citizens. In 1943 the show's facilities were converted for U.S. military purposes and the show was canceled. In 1944 the show relocated to this site which included a coliseum, auditorium,and a memorial Tower erected in 1936 as part of the Texas Centennial celebration. The show was renamed the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in 1988. By 1995 the Show had become a 17-day multimillion-dollar premier rodeo, equine, livestock, and exhibition event with an annual draw of about 800,000 people. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995.

Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show is a historical marker in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, dedicated in 1995. It is one of 358 historical markers documented in Tarrant County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 501 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.7438, -97.3649 near Fort Worth. The nearest cataloged historic site is Hinckley, Herbert M. (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Science & History, and Cattle Raisers Museum.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5439004992. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.