Fort Worth is known for a lot of things, including its rich history of cowboys and its lively entertainment scene. Today, we’re diving into how the city’s history helped coin several nicknames.

Cowtown

Cattle were responsible for revitalizing the Texas economy after the Civil War. For cowboys looking to sell cattle up in Kansas City (Hey, KCtoday👋), Fort Worth became a known rest stop along the Chisholm Trail. Thus, it became known as Cowtown.

Funkytown

This one is a twofer with one part attributed to the city’s bustling music scene (producing musical talent like Leon Bridges, Kelly Clarkson + Pat Green) and one part attributed to its rivalry with Austin (we see you ATXtoday).

In the early 2000s, Austin adopted the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” as a way to promote local businesses. Fort Worth followed up with its own motto “Keep Fort Worth Funky'' — and Funkytown was cemented in the Fort Worth nickname lexicon.

Panther City

Perhaps the most unusual nickname on the list stems from what was originally meant as an insult. In the late 1800s, Robert E. Cowart traveled to Fort Worth for a business trip and wrote a letter to the "Dallas Herald" detailing his experience.

He described the streets of the city as being so quiet and undisturbed that he could imagine a panther sleeping in the middle of town. Subsequently, the "Fort Worth Democrat" changed its motto to “where the panther laid down.” Following this incident, panther imagery began to pop up around the city — including statues — and the Panther City nickname was born.

Pro tip: You can use all of FTW’s nicknames interchangeably — no Fort Worthian will think twice.

If you’re like us and always wondered how the city got these nicknames, share this article with your friends and family.

MUST DO

Today

Children’s Yoga | Mon., Oct. 25 | 5-6 p.m. | Artspace111 Sculpture Garden, 111 Hampton St. | $25 | Dress in your best Halloween costume and enjoy an outdoor yoga class with your kids.

Tuesday

Trivia Night | Tues., Oct. 26 | 8-11 p.m. | Flying Saucer, 111 E. 3rd St. | Free | Gather your friends and challenge others in a battle of wits.

Wednesday

Wine on the Skyline | Wed., Oct. 27 | 5-8 p.m. | Branch & Bird, 640 Taylor St. | Free | Gather for a special happy hour with half-priced wine bottles and live music.🍷

Thursday

Trunk or Treat | Thurs., Oct. 28 | 5-8 p.m. | ACH Wichita Campus, 3712 Wichita St. | Free | Dress up as your favorite character and trick or treat from a decorated car trunk. 🎃
Roaring 20’s Halloween Costume Party | Thurs., Oct. 28 | 5-8 p.m. | Scat Jazz Lounge, 111 W. 4th St. | $10 | Party with your friends and enjoy swing music from the Black Powder Vipers.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE OCTOBER EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

90º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain

Stat

No. 12. That’s what WalletHub ranked Texas Christian University on the list of the best colleges and universities in Texas for 2022. TCU was also nationally ranked in student selectivity, education outcomes, and career outcomes. You can check out the rankings of other Texas colleges here. 🐸 (WalletHub)
A true crown jewel. A local jewelry store was just named one of the best independent jewelry shops in the country by Veranda Magazine. Haltom’s Fine Jewelers has been serving Fort Worth for 125 years+ with its expertise in Swiss timepieces + diamonds. 💎 (Downtown Fort Worth)

Announced

Fort Worth was named host of the 2021 World Axe Throwing Championships. Viewers can watch competitors in the Hatchet, Big Axe, Duals + Knife Throwing as they try to win the $50,000 prize. The event will be held at Billy Bob’s Texas on Sun., Dec. 12. 🪓

Closed

An iconic Fort Worth burger joint is closing its original location. Fred’s Texas Café will close its doors on Currie St., on Fri., Dec. 31. No need to fret, the restaurant plans on expanding to a new location at 7101 Camp Bowie Blvd. Opening date is targeted for spring 2022. 🍔 (Fort Worth Magazine)

Coronavirus

Tarrant County is now offering COVID-19 booster shots for those who received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The county was already offering the Pfizer booster dose. Those who are eligible are encouraged to get the vaccine from their local pharmacy or vaccine clinic.

📸 @FortWorthZoo

DYK — up to 500,000 monarch butterflies migrate south during this time of year. Texas is an important state in monarch migration because it’s situated between the principal breeding grounds in the north + the overwintering areas in Mexico.

You can visit the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and marvel at butterflies in the Garden (the largest exhibit of live, exotic butterflies in north central Texas). Tickets start at $8.

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THE WRAP

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