Dallas and Fort Worth

As you all are probably aware, Jen, Cosby and I live in the city of Fort Worth. We really do like it here, and are passionate advocates for the city, especially in the cultural aspects of the city. On Monday of this week, NPR had a short segment about the cultural rivalry between Fort Worth and the city to our east, Dallas. Take a read (or listen) to this story before continuing - as it will put this in perspective.

Dallas, Fort Worth Battle For Cultural Supremacy by
JOHN BURNETT and WADE GOODWYN

First, let me correct one thing in this story - the quote about Fort Worth and Dallas they mention is from Amon Carter, and it actually goes like this...

Fort Worth is where the West begins, and Dallas is where the East peters out.

The rivalry between Fort Worth and Dallas has been around since the founding of the two cities, but it only became a bit more heated when Amon Carter merged the Star and the Telegram to form the Fort Worth Star Telegram. This paper became a source of Fort Worth boosterism, and painted Dallas in a generally less than optimal light.

I would be lying to you, reader, if I told you I had no opinion about this rivalry between Fort Worth and Dallas. Simply put, I think and feel that Fort Worth is far superior to Dallas in many areas, and this segment on NPR revealed many of the reasons I like it here so much better than Dallas. Before you ask, yes, I have lived in Dallas. Why, do I think, that Fort Worth is better than Dallas? Allow me to list a few reasons highlighted in this segment.

My first problem with Dallas is that in that city new always means better, or “quality.” We all know this is simply not true - look at the myriad of historic sites across the United States, and tell me with a straight face we would be better off if those areas were replaced with something new. I daresay you couldn’t do that - because it is those older and significant places (buildings, etc) that help give us a cultural identity. Since the early 1900’s, Dallas has worked hard to systematically erase its past. Some examples of this include the construction of 75 (destroying an important African-American community and part of a freed slaves' cemetery), the lack of any significant historical buildings in downtown Dallas, save the courthouse and the School Book Depository, and the recent destruction of the studio where Robert Johnson recorded many of his songs. Not to mention the effort by a Dallas resident to destroy the home of Stanley Marcus, an important Dallas citizen. This lack of historical context and grounding leads to the lack of a feeling of community, or sense of civic purpose and being. Because there is so little to cling to culturally, Dallas needs to create things (like the new Arts District) that cause a splash, as if to say, “Look at us! We bought culture!”

On the other hand, Fort Worth is filled with historically significant places. The Stockyards is just one very good example of this. Fort Worth embraces our history and roots, as exemplified by the moment in the report where John Burnett says he can smell cow manure because of the Kimbell’s proximity to the Will Rogers center (constructed through the efforts of Amon Carter in honor of his friend, Will Rogers). Men in cowboy hats and spurs are common and accepted here. As a matter of fact, Jen told me the other day of cowboys coming into the Kimbell with their spurs on (they had to take them off, out of concern for the artwork on display). There are many active civic groups working in conjunction with city and county officials to ensure our cultural heritage is preserved. And typically, historical sites are actively protected by the city (Heritage Park, for example) - without prompting by the citizens - a rare thing, indeed.

I will reserve my comments about the quality of the architecture in Dallas, and point only to this - Fort Worth knows how to pick them. The buildings in Fort Worth, specifically in the Cultural District, are praised as masterpieces by masters of Architecture. Tadao Ando, Buckminster Fuller, Legorreta & Legorreta, Robert Venturi, Philip Johnson, and Louis Kahn all have buildings here. This august group will soon be joined, as mentioned in the report, by the architect Renzo Piano, who is designing the new addition for the Kimbell. To the best of my knowledge, Dallas lacks the breadth of architects, as well as buildings of equal importance to Architecture. (So much for that skyscraper envy Wade Goodwyn spoke of!)

The cultural district in Dallas is a manufactured experience. I can almost see Dallasites thinking, “We need a cultural district so we can keep up with Fort Worth!” Not really built out of a love of culture, but a desire to show off. Contrast that with Fort Worth’s Cultural District, which grew out of the Fort Worth Frontier Centennial Exhibition of 1936, as well as the major endowments of wealthy Fort Worthians to found two of our museums (as well as the Bass Performance Hall), respected as some of the best in the world.

I will not even speak of the safer downtown, free parking, and other cultural events (Van Cliburn, anyone?) here in Fort Worth.

At the end of the report, the fellow from NYC chimes in and speaks condescendingly about Dallas and Fort Worth. He needs to be reminded that the Kimbell was able to purchase The Torment of St. Anthony only because the Met couldn’t afford it, and the Kimbell is better connected (in this case) than the Met is.

Towards the conclusion of the report, Mrs. Stevenson says this quote, which I think sums up this discussion rather nicely:

You know, they turn up their nose at us, I think. Dallas has always had an ego that perhaps, Fort Worth doesn't.

PS - To all of you readers who have yet to visit Fort Worth and Dallas, please come and visit so you can decide for yourself - though you might have some biased your guides in Jen and myself. The same goes for all you crazy folks who think Dallas is better.