History on the Bricks
In the early 20th century
the packing plants brought jobs to the north side which brought residents to the area. Newcomers from all over the nation and even the world came to Fort Worth and found employment in the Stockyards and usually settled nearby. Those who were employed by the Stockyards, Swift and Armour increased the population from 500 to 5,000. Not only did the plants offer good jobs with benefits but they had perks such as baseball teams, company picnics, choirs, beauty pageants, and bands. Because most of the workers lived near the plants a real sense of community developed in the North Side.
This photo from 1943 of a Swift and Company, “Bathing Beauty Contest” is of (Left to Right) Aline Jackson, Katie Wemberly, Janie Phillips Williams, Dorothy Cook Wilson and Monteree Cobb Williams. They are sitting on the Lake Worth Bridge.
