On this day, December 14, 1918, Leonard Brothers Department Store opened in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. This video was made for our friends who love and remember the iconic department store that serviced a greater community on Leonard’s 100th Anniversary in 2018. Thank you to the many participants of Fort Worth who added pictures and shared how their lives were touched through this pictorial treasure. We hope you enjoy this look into the world of Obie & Marvin Leonard. Thanks for the memories Leonard’s Department Store!
Made for Leonard’s 100th Anniversary in 2018.
*Special thanks for photo courtesy: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collections, UTA Library Special Collection, and numerous people who donated their Santa pics.
This week Former President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 97th year! Happy Birthday! Born James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. on October 1, 1924.
President Jimmy Carter in Cowtown Photo credit: The Portal to Texas History, UNT Archives
Jimmy Carter flys to Fort Worth aboard Air Force One to Carswell Airforce Base, AFB. He is escorted to the Cowtown Coliseum in the historic Stockyards to give a speech in Fort Worth, late 1970s. Henry B. Gonzalez stands to the right of Carter, and Jim Wright is standing on the left.
James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. Senator of Georgia from 1963-1967, Governor of Georgia from 1971-1975, and President of the United States from 1977-1981.
Jimmy Carter volunteers relentlessly for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity photo credit.
He has also spent countless hours working with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity quote, “President Carter and Mrs. Carter are one of the most famous volunteers since 1984. They continue to be an inspiration for millions of Habitat for Humanity volunteers and supporters around the world!”
Neil P. Anderson building then & now split image. This building has held it’s spot on 7th Street since 1921. The “Cotton Exchange” was built by Sanguinet & Staats after the late Anderson had passed away in 1912, his son’s honor his memory with this namesake. Anderson was a talented broker, putting Fort Worth on the map in setting the pace for cotton trading in the Southwest markets. With cotton bas-reliefs on the outside and adorned with urns on top, this building housed some of the city’s leading businesses. The Exchange closed in 1939, but the Anderson interest owned the building until 1963. A recorded Texas Historic Landmark -1978.
Larry Hagman best known for T.V. roles such as J.R. Ewing (Dallas) and Major Nelson (I Dream of Jeannie).
Born on this day: Fort Worth native, Larry Martin Hagman (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012) was an American film and television actor, director, and producer, best known for playing ruthless oil baron, J. R. Ewing, in the 1978–1991 primetime television soap opera, Dallas and the befuddled astronaut Major Anthony Nelson in the 1965–1970 sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie. Hagman had supporting roles in numerous films, including Fail-Safe, Harry and Tonto, S.O.B., Nixon, and Primary Colors. His television appearances also included guest roles on dozens of shows spanning from the late 1950s until his death, and a reprise of his signature role on the 2012 revival of Dallas. Hagman also worked as a television producer and director. He was the son of actress Mary Martin.
In 1978, Hagman was offered two roles on two television series that were debuting. One was for The Waverly Wonders and the other for Dallas, in the role of conniving elder son and businessman J.R. Ewing. When Hagman read the Dallas script at his wife’s suggestion, they both concluded it was perfect for him.
Dallas became a worldwide success, airing in 90 countries, most notably the United Kingdom, where it was enjoyed even by members of the country’s royal family,and led to several successful primetime spin-offs. Hagman became one of the best-known television stars of the era. Producers were keen to capitalize on that love/hate family relationship of J.R., building anticipation to a fever pitch in “A House Divided”, the 1980 cliffhanger season finale in which J.R. is shot by an unknown assailant, leading to the world-wide “Who shot J.R.?” phenomenon. The person who pulled the trigger was later revealed to be Kristin Shepard (played by Mary Crosby) in the “Who Done It?” episode, which aired on November 21, 1980; Kristin was J.R.’s scheming sister-in-law and mistress, who shot him in a fit of anger. ~~~ Do you remember the night “Who shot J.R.?” aired?
