The Black Business District in Fort Worth was the heart of Black economic power in the city. Centered around East 9th and Jones Streets, the district flourished from the late 1800s through the early 20th century, home to more than fifty Black-owned establishments including hotels, barbershops, medical practices, tailors, entertainment venues, and the Fraternal Bank and Trust founded by community leader William ‘Gooseneck Bill’ McDonald.
These businesses provided essential services and a sense of pride, belonging, and self-determination during segregation, creating a thriving commercial hub for Black people, by Black people. Fort Worth earned the nickname Funkytown because of its vibrant music scene, cultural creativity, and the energy of its Black neighborhoods, especially during the mid-20th century when blues, jazz, and local entertainment flourished. Although later development and urban renewal reshaped the area, the legacy of the district remains a powerful reminder of the resilience, creativity, and economic impact of Fort Worth’s Black community.
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