Fort Worth Public Market Building
Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Oklahoma City developer John J. Harden had this commercial structure built in 1930 to provide market space for local farmers, vendors, and retail businesses. Designed by B. Gaylor Noftsger, also of Oklahoma City, it features influences of the Spanish Colonial Revival, Italian Baroque Revival, and Art Deco styles. The public market remained in operation until 1941 and the building later housed a variety of businesses. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark -1980.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1930 by an Oklahoma City developer, this striking building gave Fort Worth farmers, vendors, and merchants a shared marketplace. Its architect blended Spanish Colonial Revival, Italian Baroque, and Art Deco flourishes into one exuberant design. The public market ran until 1941, after which the landmark found new life housing a parade of other businesses.
Why it matters
It reflects the era's civic ambition to give producers and shoppers a grand common market, wrapped in the eclectic architectural optimism of 1930.
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Themes & tags
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