Ryan Place: An Historic Fort Worth Neighborhood Book

In a Star-Telegram article dated 1972 about one of John C. Ryan’s sons, it begins, “When Thomas M. Ryan was just a young boy, his father took him out to a bare prairie site on the South Side, and told him that someday it would be the prime residential section of Fort Worth.”

A book, published on leading Fort Worth businessmen, gave this description with his picture, "Mr. Ryan stands for progress and town building, and has always done his part in advancing the material welfare of Fort Worth. Believing thoroughly in 'the city beautiful', he has planned and is building Ryan Place, the most beautiful and exclusive 'park place' to be found anywhere, which will stand for all time as a monument to his enterprise."

On March 12, 1911, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram ran an article titled “FT. WORTH TO HAVE MODEL ADDITION.” The article proclaimed, “Fort Worth is to have a model addition. It will comprise the best features gathered from eighteen large cities visited by the owner, John C. Ryan, in having plans prepared for the Fort Worth tract which he plans to make the finest residence district to be found anywhere in the South.” The neighborhood that we live in is a testament to the beauty and standards that Mr. Ryan created 99 years ago.

This year Ryan Place residents will start preparing for the Ryan Place Centennial in 2011. Some of the activities will include an art contest for the centennial logo and poster art, Centennial float for the 4th of July parade in 2011, a time capsule, and a historical photographic book titled, Ryan Place: An Historic Fort Worth Neighborhood.

During 2010 and 2011, Ryan Place residents have the opportunity to become involved in preparing for the Centennial Commemoration activities and events beginning in March 2011. If you would like to volunteer please contact Mariann Taccia, 817.921.9976, or by email mariannmt@sbcglobal.net.

“The entrances shown in illustration above are built of Carthage, Mo., marble, all with finely rubbed finish excepting the base under large piers flanking driveway, which are heavy rock face. The panels in these large piers are of Pentellic marble, highly polished, of rich cream color. The entire entrance is constructed of such material and workmanship that it will stand as a monument for centuries.

The upper frieze of the large piers will bear the inscription "RYAN PLACE," and appropriate inscriptions will be carved in the marble tablets, the lettering being illuminated with gold leaf.

This entrance is of majestic proportions, totaling 90 feet in width. The piers flanking the sidewalk entrance being 21/2 feet square by 11 feet high, while the large piers are 5 feet and over 20 feet high. The driveway piers and the sidewalk entrance piers are connected by a circular balustrade of heavy proportions, with carved balusters.

It might be well to add that no private residence district in the Southwest has ever been graced with a more artistic and permanent feature of this character.”

From: NewsBank/Readex, Database: Selected America's Historical Newspapers, SQN: 116A54CD29B6D158; 1911/03/12; Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

AWARDS

Ryan Place Centennial Commemoration Begins

Centennial Committee