Category Archives: History

Texas Tuesday: Fort Worth Stockyards

This week I’m co-hosting the Texas Tuesday link up with Amanda from Princess of the Panhandle and Crystal from Masons Mama. This is a chance for any blogger to participate in a post on the greatness of Texas! There’s so much to explore!

This week I’m going to talk about a great event that goes on everyday in Fort Worth. It is a true taste of the wild west, the Fort Worth Stockyards and a must see for anyone visiting the area. The Fort Worth Stockyards bring the old town wild west into modern day Fort Worth. It’s one of my favorite places in this area!

Twice a day, the cattle is driven down the street by cowboys, just as they were years ago. It’s a sight to see! Coming from someone who completely loves these animals, it’s even better!

Once the cattle drive is complete, head on over around the corner for a live shootout! That’s right! I said shootout! Be sure to stand close and pay attention so you can take part and see all the action of the gun show!

The shootout brings together those of all ages, the kids and adults enjoy it all the same! The actors do a great job incorporating humor into the show and seriously, how can you not like their outfits!

If you are in the area or if you’ve lived here your entire life, head on over to check this out. The best part is that it’s free so if you have a family, this is a great , affordable outing for an hour or two. Enjoy the great spring weather with a little bit of free, Western entertainment!

Be sure to link your Texas Tuesday posts below!

Texas Sized Rocker

Look at me up in that giant chair!!!! Yep, what you’re seeing is exactly right. I’m sitting in the World’s Largest Rocking Chair in Lipan, Texas. See, things really are bigger down here! During my Saturday perusing, this was another destination that I wanted to check out and you definitely can’t miss it! I mean, if you miss seeing this giant chair on the side of the road, you really shouldn’t be driving at all! Let me tell you a little more…

This giant rocking chair can be found off Highway 281 (near I-20) just west of Fort Worth at the Texas Hill Country Furniture & Mercantile. It’s in the country so if you’re looking for a little country drive, this is the place to go! As soon as I walked into the store, to be honest I wished I was rich so I could fill my imaginary house with all of these items. Classic, Texas furniture made literally right behind the store. The furniture is BEAUTIFUL and they can make you anything you would like, custom-made just for you. Check out a few of my favorite items!

This bathtub. Check this out – wooden bathtub and it’s absolute perfection. Pay attention to the details – do you see the legs?! Yes – this would most definitely be in my home and it could be in yours too for $8,000.
Now, kitchen tables! There were two kitchen tables that I loved (who am I kidding, I loved every piece in the store). The table above had a built in lazy susan in the middle however my favorite part is the “legs”. It’s actually a tree trunk. Makes my hippie heart melt!
As you can see, it doesn’t matter what part of the house you need furnished, you will find something here. It’s not all about furniture though, they have every detail you would need for your home. I even found a couple things for mine!
I actually bought the cow on the top right. She is beautiful! The one on the left was a favorite too but, well I only have so much room in my apartment at the moment!
Hangers, antler chandelier (I definitely want one of these someday) and the kitchenware was beautiful. They even had some hand painted pieces.

From Top, L-R.
1. Rocking Stools – Who wouldn’t want a rocking stool?! Let’s not kid ourselves here!
2. I now have an itch to make a Texas themed quilt. I know, I said I was never going to make one again but as mama always said “Never say never”.
3. For the love of windmills! Yes, please!
4. Crosses. Turquoise. Need I say more?
5. I thought of my dad when I saw this. He took me to prom in an old Model T like the one in the picture only I didn’t have a cowboy next to me on his horse.
6. Need a hanger for your bathroom (or anywhere in your house)? You’ll find one here!
7. Can we get anymore creative with this lamp?!
8. I’m in love with the wallet in front. It’s seriously beautiful. Can I say I want? Did I just say want, I meant need. My half birthday was on February 15th … just saying. haha!
9. Milk stools. I seriously contemplated buying this for my short self and for my nine month old niece. It’d make getting into those cupboards and shelves so much easier, for both of us!
Outside, you will find what looks like 50 rocking chairs. They are gorgeous!
(Below) These two items really caught my eye as well!
Back to the World’s Largest Rockin’ Chair.
The chair actually made the Guinness Book of World Records on September 20, 2003.
Measurements:
25 ft 10.5 inches tall
12 ft 7.375 inches wide
5,672 pounds
Made to scale.
I’m not even kidding when I say getting into this chair was the hardest / scariest part. Have I mentioned a fear of heights? So how it works, just so you know, is that there are logs/bars (kind of like the ones you see under my feet) on the side just like a normal sized rocking chair. You basically have to climb up, wrap your arms around them and pull yourself up. Then once on the seat, crawl or if you’re brave enough stand up and scoot over to the edge.
Honestly, if you have a chance to swing by, definitely do! The people here are so incredibly nice (I mean, they came out and took a picture of me IN the chair) and the furniture is gorgeous! Give yourself plenty of time to check out the scenery in the area, the store and if that’s not enough, there’s a smokehouse to eat right next door (more on that tomorrow)! I definitely plan on stopping back in at some point. There’s so many beautiful items and who doesn’t need a good rocking chair for their porch? I’ve been thinking about it ever since I left.

“Second star to the right and straight on ’til morning. ”

― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Saturday morning, I woke up earlier than I would’ve liked to go get my oil changed. For some reason I brought my camera. Who brings a camera to get their oil changed?! Maybe it was a premonition. The plan was to go out to west Fort Worth, get my oil changed then come home and finish unpacking my new apartment and work on my horrendous, unending to-do list. If you know me, you will not be surprised that I ended up finding some back country roads and taking a lot of pictures. Surprise, surprise.

A couple years ago, I was given a book with weird, roadside stops in Texas. I keep it in my car because I don’t really plan things out (read above) and just end up going places. So while waiting for my oil change, I looked up what was nearby.

Stop #1 involved Peter Pan. I was in!
Peter Pan is one of my favorite cartoons / stories growing up. (Have you watched Finding Neverland? One of my favorites!) I find it pretty important to always be a kid at heart (hence you will see me busting out a move at inopportune moments to try to get people to relax – I don’t care if I look like an ass, it’s a good time)!

I had known about this little pit stop for a while but I’m glad I finally got to check it out!

If you ever find yourself near Weatherford, Texas, head on over to the library. It’s right off the highway and really easy to find. Outside, you will find the Peter Pan statue. The story of Peter Pan has nothing to do with Weatherford, however the actress that played Peter Pan did.
Mary Martin played Peter Pan in the Broadway production of Peter Pan until she was in her 50’s. She also earned a Tony Award for her role and was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1989. The story goes, as a child she was obsessed with Buster Brown and she had her haircut in a short “pageboy bob” and refused to ever wear a bow. Funny how she ended up playing Peter Pan! If you want to realize how small the world really is, she is also Larry Hagman’s (from the TV show Dallas) mother.
In 1976, Ronald Thomason created this life-sized bronze statue of Martin in the signature Peter Pan pose. The status can be seen at the library along with some memorabilia inside (I wish I would’ve read that in the book before I left the library). In 1990, Mary Martin passed away and is now buried in Weatherford as well.

If you’re a fan of Peter Pan, swing on by. It just takes a minute. While I was there, two kids came running out of the library and couldn’t wait to get a picture with Peter Pan. It was pretty cute. We can all be big kids too folks! 🙂

“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Check back in on Wednesday to see what else I came across on my Saturday travels!