Dear Carolyn, Just a little brief info about Ft. Worth during 1882-90: Population boomed following the addition of rail lines in 1876 and had reached 6663 people by 1880. The cattle raising, meat-packing, and railroad shipping industries were growing as well, but didn't really get off the ground until about the time your family left. The town was filled with gunslingers, gamblers, and ladies of ill-repute, but thank heavens the good guys won! Many people were getting wealthy and the banks were growing. New homes were needed for the growing population and buildings were popping up. (probably many from stone, and old wooden buildings were probably being replaced with stone ones as well.) My German ancestors came in on the train in 1876 and we've been here ever since. Hope this helps a little. Kay Davis