Hell's Half Acre, Ft. Worth, TX. late 1800s
Hell's Half Acre emerged as a precinct in Fort Worth, Texas, notably designated as a red-light district in the early to mid-1870s during the era of the Old Wild West. It earned the moniker "Bloody Third Ward" owing to the rampant violence and lawlessness that plagued the vicinity.
This region evolved into a rest stop along the cattle trails extending from Texas through Kansas. It swiftly transformed into a bustling hub adorned with saloons, brothels, and various dens of vice, offering opportunities for gambling, spirits, and the services of prostitutes. The half-acre expanse was initially demarcated between Tenth Street and Fifteenth Street, intersecting with Houston Street, Main Street, and Rusk Street, with Throckmorton and Calhoun Streets demarking the boundaries. The Chisholm Trail and Texas and Pacific Railway played a pivotal role as economic drivers, propelling the gradual advancement of this spirited and audacious red-light district.
It evolved into a sanctuary for outlaws and violent criminals. It bore witness to the presence of iconic figures from the Old West, including Bat Masterson, Butch Cassidy, Doc Holliday, Etta Place, Luke Short, Sam Bass, Sundance Kid, and Wyatt Earp. The Acre stood as a significant source of revenue for the town, and despite external pressures and opposition to the unlawful activities, authorities in Fort Worth were reticent to intervene.
The city's most renowned saloon was the White Elephant, technically positioned just beyond the boundaries of the Acre. This establishment was known for its refinement, live entertainment, frequent gun fights, and illicit dealings.
The primary grievances voiced by the community against the Acre were predominantly directed at the dance halls and brothels, which reformers regarded as the epitome of immorality, along with pervasive violence. The saloons and gambling halls provoked comparatively less concern. In 1889, following intense bouts of violence within the city, officials took action to shut down many of the activities that were most directly fueling the disorder. As the 20th century commenced, Hell's Half Acre's allure as a visitor destination diminished significantly. The Progressive movement of the early 1900s exerted mounting pressure on this district. By 1919, Fort Worth's "Third Ward" was disowned as a haven of vice, thanks to the law enforcement efforts of Jim Courtright and the moral sermons of John Franklyn Norris.
