Stock Yards

9-6-2018

After completing The Cowboys of Science in 2016, I began preparing a sequel to continue the story of archaeology.  A busy field schedule in 2017 prevented any significant video work, although I did find some time for a clumsy attempt at shooting video in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.  When the archaeology doc fell through in the winter of 2018, I decided to revisit an idea for some type of rodeo film.  The idea was narrowed to a short video focusing on the sights and sounds of the historic Stockyards.  I expected to knock this out within a couple of weeks.  Six months later, it is finally here.

The Stockyards district represents a case study in the value of historic preservation.  The city of Fort Worth draws an international crowd courtesy of its western heritage.  Failure to preserve and protect this heritage would cost the city a great deal.  Unfortunately,  modern developers are an ever-present threat.  By the time Stock Yards was completed, the video had already become a kind of historic document.  With a huge commercial development currently underway, it remains to be seen how much of this historic district will retain its authentic value.​

This video was a lot of fun to make, but it required a lot more work than I anticipated.  Ultimately, these projects can never be perfect.  There comes a time to move on.  Stock Yards is only a glimpse of the total experience awaiting you in this historic setting.  See it for yourself.  Learn to appreciate the people who make your lifestyle possible.  Don't forget to take pictures.  What you see there today may be gone tomorrow.


​Click on the "Videos" tab above to view STOCK YARDS on this site!

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