Fort Worth Botanic Garden
historic place
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, located in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, was established in 1934. It is recognized as the oldest major botanic garden in Texas. Its origins trace back to 1912, when the city acquired 37.5 acres for what was then known as Rock Springs Park. Development work began in 1929, enhancing the natural springs with trails, ponds, lagoons, and waterfalls. The landscape architecture firm Hare & Hare, from Kansas City, Missouri, designed key features, including a formal rose garden. Construction efforts started in 1933, during the Great Depression, and were supported by federal relief funds through the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and the Civil Works Administration. The Municipal Rose Garden was dedicated on October 15, 1933. In December 1934, Rock Springs Park was officially renamed the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Its historical significance was further recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. This site represents a significant public works project from the Depression era and an enduring commitment to horticultural display in Texas.