Discovering time-honored traditions in Texas

National Geographic Photographer Dina Litovsky is deeply curious about people and culture, often describing her work as “visual sociology.” For her latest assignment, she traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, to satisfy her curiosity and experience the Old West traditions that make the city what it is today.

Step back in time with the Fort Worth Herd

When Litovksy arrives somewhere new, she lets her intuition lead the way, and that intuition brought her to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District to meet with members of the Fort Worth Herd. Established in 1999, the Herd is responsible for the city's twice-daily longhorn cattle drive on East Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards.

The drive takes place each day at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and is one of the oldest traditions in the city, commemorating a time in the mid-to-late 1800s when drovers herded cattle through Fort Worth along the Chisholm Trail. In the words of Kristin Jaworski, the Herd’s Trail Boss, it’s a way of “preserving Western heritage, the American cowboy, and of course, the Texas longhorn.”

Texas longhorns come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes, and their most distinctive feature is their horns. These form throughout a longhorn's lifetime, growing in different directions and adopting various shapes, from long and straight to upward and twisted. 

For an inside look at how Jaworski and her team take care of the longhorns, as well as what life was like on the Chisholm Trail, visitors to the Stockyards can attend the Forth Worth Herd Experience, a free, interactive program held in between drives from 1 to 2 p.m. During the experience, drovers demonstrate everything from cattle roping techniques to how to saddle a horse.

Hats off to tradition

As Litovsky discovered, members of the Herd aren't the only ones keeping history alive in the Fort Worth Stockyards. M.L. Leddy’s, a fourth-generation, family-owned business, has been handcrafting leather boots, saddles, and other Western wear since 1922. Staff members pride themselves on craftsmanship and welcome visitors to witness the production process for themselves. 

At the recommendation of locals, Litovsky also stopped by the White Elephant Saloon. Founded in 1884, the saloon is full of memorabilia, including signed cowboy hats that line the ceiling and walls. Between its decor, wooden dance floor, vintage brass-rail bar, and shoe-shine service, the saloon will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

New meets old in downtown 

After exploring the Stockyards, Litovsky headed to Sundance Square, a shopping, food, and entertainment destination that spans 37 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. Whether you want to shop, grab a bite to eat, or simply relax and admire the area's mix of historic architecture and modern design, it’s a can't-miss stop. 

If you’re in the mood for a show, visit Bass Performance Hall. Completed in 1998, this distinguished performing arts venue resembles a European opera house and is home to four companies: the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Opera, Texas Ballet Theater, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Cliburn Concerts. Standout features of the building include a hand-painted dome that's 80 feet in diameter and two 48-foot-tall angel reliefs.

Art for days

Just west of downtown is the city’s cultural district, where you can admire art from practically every era. Museums in the district include the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, which contains a collection of American art ranging from the 18th century to the present, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, home to works by masters such as Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko. The Kimbell Art Museum is another must-see, both for its impressive collection and modern architecture.

Make room for nature 

In addition to historic and cultural spaces, there are plenty of areas in Fort Worth to enjoy the outdoors. Litovsky stopped by Trinity Park, a serene green space near downtown Fort Worth set against the backdrop of skyscrapers. Here, you can walk or bike along the scenic Trinity River, or visit the duck pond to admire all manner of birds. If you're craving a longer-distance adventure, you can also ride on horseback from Trinity Park to the Stockyards along the Trinity River and Chisholm Trail.

Adjacent to Trinity Park is the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Established in 1934, it is home to 23 specialty gardens, including a cactus garden and four seasons garden, and makes for a relaxing morning or afternoon.

Continue your garden tour with a visit to the Fort Worth Water Gardens, a modernist marvel designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee. Here, walkways connect three pools surrounded by cypress trees and mesmerizing water features.

Litovsky’s intuition led her to discover so much of what Fort Worth has to offer—a city that seamlessly merges old and new, past and present. So if you’re ready for a place where tradition and modern culture co-exist, follow Litovsky’s lead and start planning your trip to Fort Worth, Texas.