Meet the man who put Fort Worth on the map

Meet the man who put Fort Worth on the map

Published on November 10, 2025

He wasn't born here. But as many non-natives who consider Cowtown their hometown are quick to say, he got here as fast as he could. Publisher, philanthropist and proud Panther City promoter who was known and respected locally and nationally, Amon G. Carter was fiercely devoted to the city that now bears his name - and his influence - in many key places.

But first, let's talk about how much he loved Fort Worth - and wasn't so fond of, ahem, neighbor that starts with a big "D."

"Fort Worth is where the West begins … and Dallas is where the East peters out," Carter is famously quoted as saying. (And with his larger-than-life personality and wearing his signature Stetson, one can only imagine he delivered the line with enormous fanfare.)

Fittingly nicknamed "Mr. Fort Worth," Carter was a well-heeled man-about-town with a modest rural background. In other words, a mix of cowboy and culture just like (you guessed it) the city he adored. Self-made and self-assured, Carter had the grit to get his hands dirty and the confidence to catapult him to the places he strove to be.

Fort Worth on his mind

Born Dec. 11, 1879, in Crafton, Texas, Amon Giles Carter was a hard worker right out of the gate. As for his upbringing, think rusty spur, not silver spoon. He even quit school at age 11 to help support his cash-strapped family. Following his mother's death in 1892, young Carter moved by himself to Bowie, Texas, supporting himself with various odd jobs around the West Texas area, as well as in Oklahoma and California. His knack for commerce eventually led him to become a traveling salesman … and, finally, to his beloved and adopted hometown.

A rising star

In May 1905, Carter got a job selling advertising space in Fort Worth. And just like that, he was offered the chance to help finance and run a new publication in town called the Fort Worth Star. Its first issue printed Feb. 1, 1906, with Carter helming the advertising department. Soon after, the publication started losing money and teetered dangerously close to bankruptcy. Audacious and undeterred, Carter raised funds and bought his newspaper's main competitor - the Fort Worth Telegram - in November 1908 for $100,000. On Jan. 1, 1909, the two publications merged into the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which morphed into one of the leading and most prominent newspapers in the state.

More successes would soon follow. And though numerous and varied, they all had something special in common: Carter's love of Fort Worth remained at the heart of them.

Beyond the printing press

Besides founding and publishing the city's newspaper (which he used to promote Fort Worth relentlessly), when it came to career accomplishments, Carter checked all the boxes - and then some.

Examples include:

• Founded WBAP-AM Radio (1922) - Fort Worth's first licensed radio station.
• Founded WBAP-TV/NBC Channel 5 (1948) - First commercial TV station in Texas; helped bring television to the region.
• Avid proponent of aerospace industry - Instrumental in bringing American Airlines to Fort Worth; helped fund and support the development of Meacham Field (as it was originally called), seeing it as a way to position Fort Worth as an economic force to be reckoned with; secured government funding for a local aircraft factory known today as Lockheed Martin; Amon G. Carter Field was an early name associated with what is now the DFW Airport area.
• Created the Amon G. Carter Foundation - Philanthropic organization funding education, arts and civic projects in Fort Worth and Texas. After Carter's death, his will empowered the foundation to establish the Amon Carter Museum of American Art to house his art collection (see below).
• Funded the Amon Carter Museum of American Art - Crown jewel of the Cultural District and a gift from Carter to his beloved Fort Worth, it's one of the nation's premier exhibits of American artwork. It opened Jan. 21, 1961.
• Advocated for higher education - Major contributor to TCU and major influence in establishing Texas Tech.
• Shaped Fort Worth's identity - Promoted the city as a hub of commerce, culture and Western heritage.

Making lasting marks

Besides the eponymous Carter Museum, it's impossible to miss the appellation headlining prominent spots across the city, including:

• Amon G. Carter Stadium - Where the TCU Horned Frogs still hit the gridiron today.
• Amon G. Carter Field - Early name associated with part of what is now the DFW Airport area; historically tied to his aviation support.
• Carter Park- City park that's also on the southeast side on land donated by Carter.
• Amon Carter Boulevard - Major thoroughfare adjacent to DFW Airport.
• Amon Carter Riverside High School - Public high school in Fort Worth ISD.
• YMCA Camp Carter - Youth camp operated by the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth since 1948.
• Amon G. Carter historical marker - Located at 400 W. Seventh St. and highlighting Carter's role in founding the Star-Telegram, establishing WBAP radio, bringing numerous aviators to Fort Worth and championing the city's growth.
• Amon G. Carter Sr. trail marker - Located at 615 Main St. in Sundance Square and commemorating Carter's contributions to the city's development.

Bold, charismatic and persuasive, Carter was the type of guy who didn't just light up a room - he ignited it. His friends and colleagues included U.S. presidents, Texas governors, oil magnates, media leaders and Western artists such as Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, whose preeminent works are on display at the Amon Carter Museum. He touched many lives, and his passions ran deep.

But, again, what really fueled his fire was Fort Worth, Texas - a city he loved so fiercely it shaped everything he did to help it soar.

As Carter himself once said, "You can't keep taking presents off the tree unless you put some on."

A spirit that endures

Amon G. Carter passed away on June 23, 1955, at the age of 75. He left behind a legacy that Fort Worth's identity, culture and growth for generations to come.

And there's no doubt that he'd be tickled pink to know that his beloved town - "Where the West begins" - has blossomed into the fastest-growing city in the United States, all while keeping its smalltown heart.

Clearly, this story offers just a thin slice of Carter's voluminous life. Capturing the full scope of his impact and achievements in 1,000 words is like trying to pour the Trinity River into a teacup. To learn more about this legendary figure who helped place Fort Worth firmly on the map, dive deeper into his legacy at:

• https://amoncarter.tcu.edu/
• https://www.cartermuseum.org/about/our-story/amon-g-carter-sr-timeline
• https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/carter-amon-g-sr
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxq89Hj95EY

Feature photo caption: Amon Carter waving from the door of an American Airlines plane, Dec. 5, 1939.

The Carter family wearing matching overcoats and hats, Dec. 30, 1938.
L-to-r: Ruth Carter, Amon G. Carter Sr., Amon Carter Jr. and Mrs. Amon G. Carter Sr.

Amon Carter at the dedication of "City of Fort Worth," a B-36, Aug. 3, 1947.

TCU Stadium officially renamed Amon G. Carter Stadium, March 3, 1951.
L-to-r: Amon G. Carter, Dr. M. E. Sadler, Dan D. Rogers, L.C. "Pete" Wright and Milton E. Daniel.

Amon Carter photographed at his home on his 75th birthday, Dec. 11, 1954.

All photos courtesy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries.

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