Fort Worth Heritage Trails - African-American History - Fort Worth, TX - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

The sign includes an inset of William Madison "Gooseneck Bill" McDonald, and it says:

The first African-American residents of Fort Worth were slaves who received the delayed news of their emancipation on June 19, 1865. Those who remained in the area began to build a community on the city's east side. A blacksmith shop operated by John Pratt was the first known African-American business. Mount Gilead Baptist Church, 600 Grove Street, was organized in 1875.

The community revolved around the Fraternal Bank & Trust Co. and the Masonic Lodge, both built in 1912 by prominent businessman William Madison "Gooseneck Bill" McDonald. Loans from McDonald's bank enabled residents to purchase homes and start businesses. The community was served by several African-American doctors, including Dr. Riley Ransom, who opened a hospital in 1918.

A mural by artist Paula Blincoe Collins (along the Intermodal Transportation Center walkway) depicts Fort Worth's early African- American history.

Heritage Trails 2006
Sponsored by: City of Fort Worth

Group that erected the marker: Fort Worth Heritage Trails/City of Fort Worth URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 1001 Jones St Fort Worth, TX USA 76102

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Date Logged Log   01/21/2019 QuesterMark visited it