On Thursday morning, 97-year-old Opal Lee said she was overwhelmed with joy.
“I could do a holy dance. But the kids say when I try, I’m twerking, whatever that is,” she said.
The Fort Worth civil rights icon clapped and bounced with joy as she cut a board, and raised a wall for her new home in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside neighborhood.
It was all part of a ceremony that marked the start of construction.
Lee has stood on that very plot, off East Annie Street and New York Avenue, before. In fact, it’s where her family experienced one of their darkest times.
“To tell you the truth, I try so hard to put it out of my mind,” Lee said. “Because my mom had this house fixed up so nice.”
In 1930, a white mob gathered there.
“And the paper says it was 500 of them. And the police were here. My dad came home with a gun from work, and the police told him, ‘If you bust a cap, we’ll let this mob have you,’” she said.
Lee said her parents sent her and her siblings to a friend’s house a few blocks away.
“And those people tore this place ascender. They drug the furniture out. They did despicable things,” she said.
She said her parents never talked about it with them.
“They worked like trojans, and they bought another house!” she said.
Eighty-five years later, a different group gathered on the plot.
“So think about this: This is the second mob on this lot,” said Gage Yager, Trinity Habitat For Humanity CEO. “First mob was filled with hate. We’re filled with love. What a better story that is!”
The groups came together, along with city officials, to cement the legacy of the woman who says, “If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.”
“I just want to say what a deep honor it is to be a part of this project,” said Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes. “You demonstrate to us what a difference one person can make.”
“All of us are here today to celebrate you and what you mean—not just to the city of Fort Worth or to the United States or really to the world, but what it really means to live with love, and forgiveness, and total inspiration. We love you and we’re very proud of you,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker.
Nelson also announced that Lee’s expected move-in date would be June 19, which Lee helped make a national holiday called Juneteenth, commemorating the day in 1865 when Black slaves learned they were free, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
“I was thinking 2025, and Juneteenth?! Oh, listen, all I’m bringing from my other house is my toothbrush,” Lee said.
Lee’s home is also just a few blocks from the future National Juneteenth Museum, a project she spearheaded that will honor her work and share the story behind Juneteenth.
“Not only are we remembering history, what happened on this lot, but we get the opportunity to create history,” said Christopher Nettles, Fort Worth City Council member for District 8 who said a blessing for the project.
Fort Worth, TX, is one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas. It’s the fifth largest city in Texas and the 12th largest city in the US. The city is known for its Texas hospitality and is filled with culture and fun. Fort Worth is a great place to live, work, and play, no matter your interests or hobbies.
Even though there are countless things to do in Fort Worth, you may not want to commit to buying or renting in the city. Luckily, there are many cities near Fort Worth that may better fit your budget and needs. And, not to mention, keep you within commuting distance of Fort Worth.
We’ve made a list of 9 cities near Fort Worth to consider buying a house or renting an apartment in this year.
#1: Arlington, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 15
Population: 397,500
Median home sale price: $353,000
Average 1-bed rent: $1,072
Walk Score: 38
Bike Score: 0
Transit Score: 40
Arlington is one of the great cities near Fort Worth that you may want to consider moving to. Home to Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, you can watch the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys game, respectively. The University of Texas at Arlington, a major research university, and the Arlington Museum of Art are other hallmarks of the city.
If you’re living in Arlington, there is plenty to keep you busy. From fun attractions, such as Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor, to visiting the Arlington Museum of Art, you’ll always find an exciting adventure. Arlington has many parks and recreation facilities, including River Legacy Parks, Virginia Hills Park, and Arlington Sports Park.
Homes for sale in Arlington, TX
Apartments for rent in Arlington, TX
#2: Grand Prairie, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 21
Population: 194,000
Median home sale price: $385,000
Average 1-bed rent: $1,543
Walk Score: 32
Transit Score: 34
Grand Prairie is just east of Arlington, a Dallas and Fort Worth suburb. The city is home to the Grand Prairie Premium Outlets, the Uptown Theater, and the Traders Village.
Grand Prairie has a lot to do, from exploring Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, or spending the day at Joe Pool Lake. For those who enjoy the outdoors, there are several parks and lakes to explore, and golfers will find many challenging courses to play. Whatever your interests, you are sure to find something to do in Grand Prairie.
Homes for sale in Grand Prairie, TX
Apartments for rent in Grand Prairie, TX
#3: Grapevine, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 23
Population: 54,000
Median home sale price: $552,250
Average 1-bed rent: $1,716
Walk Score: 30
Transit Score: 38
Grapevine is known for its historic Main Street District, containing 19th-century Victorian-style storefronts and brick streets. The Main Street District also has a variety of restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, and hotels. The city is also home to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, which operates vintage diesel trains on the Cotton Belt Route through the city. Grapevine also hosts over 1,400 Christmas events in just 40 days, including the largest Christmas parade in North Texas.
There are many things to do in Grapevine, like checking out one of the many wineries in the area, taking a walk or bike ride through one of the city’s many parks, or visiting the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. You can also explore the Grapevine Historic Main Street District, visit the Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium, and or take a ride on the Grapevine Lake Balloon Adventure.
Homes for sale in Grapevine, TX
Apartments for rent in Grapevine, TX
#4: Irving, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 26
Population: 240,500
Median home sale price: $357,500
Average 1-bed rent: $1,520
Walk Score: 45
Bike Score: 29
Transit Score: 42
Irving is another one of the fantastic cities near Fort Worth that you may want to add to your list. There are many things to do in Irving, and some famous attractions include the Irving Arts Center, the Mustangs of Las Colinas Sculpture, and the Toyota Music Factory. Other Irving highlights include the Heritage House Museum, the Mandalay Canal Walk at Las Colinas, and the Irving Heritage District.
Homes for sale in Irving, TX
Apartments for rent in Irving, TX
#5: Dallas, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 33
Population: 1 million
Median home sale price: $420,450
Average 1-bed rent: $1,591
Walk Score: 46
Bike Score: 39
Transit Score: 49
No doubt you know of Dallas, the other half of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Home to the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Arts District, and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, there’s plenty that makes this city stand out.
If you decide to move to Dallas, some of the city’s most popular attractions include the Dallas World Aquarium, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, and the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Homes for sale in Dallas, TX
Apartments for rent in Dallas, TX
#6: Lewisville, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 33
Population: 108,000
Median home sale price: $410,000
Average 1-bed rent: $1,565
Walk Score: 39
Transit Score: 39
Lewisville is located along Lewisville Lake and offers the best of small-town charm and big-city living. Old Town Lewisville is home to many historic homes and landmarks, like the Old Well House and Main Street Cafe. The city also offers recreation facilities, including parks, about 14 miles of trails, and two recreation centers.
There are many things to do for those living in Lewisville. You can visit the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, go fishing or swimming at Lewisville Lake, or explore one of the many hiking and biking trails. You can check out the shops and restaurants in Historic Downtown Lewisville.
Homes for sale in Lewisville, TX
Apartments for rent in Lewisville, TX
#7: Denton, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 37
Population: 140,000
Median home sale price: $405,000
Average 1-bed rent: $1,355
Walk Score: 34
Transit Score: 46
Denton is located northeast of Fort Worth and is home to two state universities, the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. Denton has 30 parks featuring 300 acres of open space, three recreation centers, a water park, community swimming pools, and trails for hiking and biking.
If you’re living in Denton, you might be contemplating what to do in your free time. Denton has many great options for entertainment and dining. For museums, check out the Bayless-Selby House Museum, the Chairy Orchard, and Denton Firefighters Museum. If you’re interested in the performing arts, UNT Murchison Performing Arts Center and Buffalo Valley Event Center offer great productions. And finally, no experience in Denton would be complete without stopping by El Matador Restaurant, Mazatlan Restaurant, and La Milpa Mexican Restaurant for some of the best food in town.
Homes for sale in Denton, TX
Apartments for rent in Denton, TX
#8: Plano, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 50
Population: 289,000
Median home sale price: $527,500
Average 1-bed rent: $1,751
Walk Score: 41
Bike Score: 15
Transit Score: 52
Plano is often considered one of the Dallas suburbs, but it’s one of the cities near Fort Worth you should consider moving to. The city is home to several large corporations and many small businesses.
There is plenty to do in Plano, such as visiting the Historic Downtown Plano Arts District, which is home to various shops, restaurants, and businesses. There are also several parks and recreation areas in Plano, including Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, and Bob Woodruff Park. Make sure to check out the Plano Children’s Museum or the Crayola Experience. And, of course, there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from in Plano.
Homes for sale in Plano, TX
Apartments for rent in Plano, TX
#9: Garland, TX
Miles from Fort Worth: 50
Population: 239,000
Median home sale price: $3,330,000
Average 1-bed rent: $1,379
Walk Score: 40
Bike Score: 29
Transit Score: 41
Garland is one of the largest manufacturing cities in Texas and is home to 239,000 residents. The firewheel, a wildflower that flourishes during the spring and summer, is Garland’s signature flower, and the nearby Spring Creek Forest Preserve has over 600 plant species and trees, some of which are over 300 years old.
There are a number of things to do in Garland, Texas. You can visit the Garland Landmark Museum and Dallas Heritage Village for those interested in history. Nature lovers can explore the 750-acre Garland Nature Preserve, and shoppers can enjoy the many retail options available at the Firewheel Town Center.
Homes for sale in Garland, TX
Apartments for rent in Garland, TX
Methodology:
All cities must have a population of more than 50,000 and be less than 50 miles away from Fort Worth. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during August 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com during August 2022. Walk Score, Bike Score, and Transit Score from Walkscore.com during August 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.