• The KillerFrogs

OT: Hell's Half Acre

Horny4TCU

Horny4TCU

Active Member
So for those of you that know Ft. Worth's history, you should know about the infamous Hell's Half Acre. Now the actual spot of Hell's Half Acre is where they put the convention center, but do the roots still remain? I'm not in the know or the crowds that would, but is there still illegal gambling and prostitution in Fort Worth or an area like Hell's Half Acre?

... Asking for friend.
 
HFrog1999

HFrog1999

Member
Horny4TCU said:
So for those of you that know Ft. Worth's history, you should know about the infamous Hell's Half Acre. Now the actual spot of Hell's Half Acre is where they put the convention center, but do the roots still remain? I'm not in the know or the crowds that would, but is there still illegal gambling and prostitution in Fort Worth or an area like Hell's Half Acre?

... Asking for friend.
Click to expand...


Here’s a good book about some of Fort Worth’s colorful history



As for anything going on now, I’m not talking about that on the internet
 
Limp Lizard

Limp Lizard

Full Member
A lot of the gambling took place on the Northside. There was the infamous "2222 Jacksboro Highway". That place in the 50's was like an old detective novel. Gambling, etc., but exclusive-ish: city councilmen, the Mayor, Police Chief, FW high society, as well as the ner-do-well gangsters and big time gamblers (such as Doyle Branson) hung out there.
The building is still very visible from Jacksboro Hwy a little south of the 28th street intersection.
 
Frog-in-law1995

Frog-in-law1995

Active Member
Limp Lizard said:
A lot of the gambling took place on the Northside. There was the infamous "2222 Jacksboro Highway". That place in the 50's was like an old detective novel. Gambling, etc., but exclusive-ish: city councilmen, the Mayor, Police Chief, FW high society, as well as the ner-do-well gangsters and big time gamblers (such as Doyle Branson) hung out there.
The building is still very visible from Jacksboro Hwy a little south of the 28th street intersection.
Click to expand...

Jacksboro Hwy and 28th don’t intersect. Do you mean Jacksboro and Ephriham (where the motel with the palm trees used to be)? Which building is it? I’d always heard it was near Northside Drive and assumed it was that old dilapidated restaurant on the west side of the road, but could never confirm.
 
YA

YA

Active Member
Frog-in-law1995 said:
Jacksboro Hwy and 28th don’t intersect. Do you mean Jacksboro and Ephriham (where the motel with the palm trees used to be)? Which building is it? I’d always heard it was near Northside Drive and assumed it was that old dilapidated restaurant on the west side of the road, but could never confirm.
Click to expand...
Doesn't 28th turn into 183/Ephriham?
 
Deep Purple

Deep Purple

Full Member
Limp Lizard said:
A lot of the gambling took place on the Northside. There was the infamous "2222 Jacksboro Highway". That place in the 50's was like an old detective novel. Gambling, etc., but exclusive-ish: city councilmen, the Mayor, Police Chief, FW high society, as well as the ner-do-well gangsters and big time gamblers (such as Doyle Branson) hung out there.
The building is still very visible from Jacksboro Hwy a little south of the 28th street intersection.
Click to expand...
Northside/Jacksboro was a much later period than Hell's Half Acre. The Acre was 1870s/80s Chisholm Trail cowboys. Jacksboro was 1940s/50s mobsters.
 
P

Putt4Purple

Active Member
Horny4TCU said:
So for those of you that know Ft. Worth's history, you should know about the infamous Hell's Half Acre. Now the actual spot of Hell's Half Acre is where they put the convention center, but do the roots still remain? I'm not in the know or the crowds that would, but is there still illegal gambling and prostitution in Fort Worth or an area like Hell's Half Acre?

... Asking for friend.
Click to expand...

You asked the question but know the answer. If there were a true gambling/prostitution local in Ft. Worth it would not be allowed to be open very long.
The books on gambling and prostitution in Fort Worth history aside from Hell's half acre were from the 20's thru the 50's. There were a hand full located at different locations and times along Jacksboro Highway from 28th St. north past Lake Worth. Interesting history of Fort Worth. If there are any currently I am niev and unaware.
 
Limp Lizard

Limp Lizard

Full Member
Deep Purple said:
Northside/Jacksboro was a much later period than Hell's Half Acre. The Acre was 1870s/80s Chisholm Trail cowboys. Jacksboro was 1940s/50s mobsters.
Click to expand...
Although Hells Half Acre was about the cowboy era, that part of town was still de facto Hells Half Acre until the convention center was built. I remember seeing a brutal bar fight that had spilled out to the sidewalk and some guy was beating the hell out of someone as we had to stop for a light on a Sunday afternoon. The guy's face was just a gob of red goo.
 
Paint It Purple

Paint It Purple

Active Member
Horny4TCU said:
So for those of you that know Ft. Worth's history, you should know about the infamous Hell's Half Acre. Now the actual spot of Hell's Half Acre is where they put the convention center, but do the roots still remain? I'm not in the know or the crowds that would, but is there still illegal gambling and prostitution in Fort Worth or an area like Hell's Half Acre?

... Asking for friend.
Click to expand...
just go with Hell half acre is between the 20's at Stadium Drive. Damn you guys just don't know how to legend.
 
Paint It Purple

Paint It Purple

Active Member
Limp Lizard said:
Although Hells Half Acre was about the cowboy era, that part of town was still de facto Hells Half Acre until the convention center was built. I remember seeing a brutal bar fight that had spilled out to the sidewalk and some guy was beating the hell out of someone as we had to stop for a light on a Sunday afternoon. The guy's face was just a gob of red goo.
Click to expand...
Where were you that night outside the Oui when I needed you.
 

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