An Incomplete History of Mexican Fort Worth

At the start of this project, I wanted to focus on the demographic development of Fort Worth's North Side neighborhood and why it became it a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, and what it can say about the city and immigration.

In researching for this project, I was not surprised to one, find Fort Worth history so focused on notable white residents and industries run by white people that shaped the city and two, discover a general lack in scholarship and history of the Mexican and Hispanic residents of the city. The sources that examined and documented the history of Mexican immigration and residents to Fort Worth were largely focused on the early 20th century. I wrote what I could find – and given more time, I am sure I can find satisfying post-World War II histories of Mexican Fort Worth that answer my questions about other largely Mexican parts of the city and what the demographic, economic, and social trends in the North Side say about the future of the North Side.

The pages in this project feature a look at Mexican immigration to Texas in the early 20th century, a general history of the city of Fort Worth and the North Side, the pull factors that brought Mexican immigrants to Fort Worth, how these Mexican immigrants settled in the North Side and in the city, and lastly, a reflection of the gaps in the research.

Note: Click on the photographs and maps to see their citations.