Stephen Montoya
All four corners of Main Street and Exchange Avenue now glow with the unmistakable hum of neon — a beacon of Cowtown’s enduring Western spirit. The last piece to fall into place is the newly unveiled Maverick Fine Western Wear sign, standing proudly alongside its iconic storefront and mural on North Main Street. Its arrival completes the luminous quartet that has transformed the entrance to the Fort Worth Stockyards into a veritable showcase of Texas heritage.
The other three corners — H3 Ranch on the northeast, Leddy’s Boots and Saddlery on the northwest, and The General Store on the southwest, also owned by Maerick owner Gayle Hill — had long welcomed visitors with their own bright signs. On December 12, Hill celebrated the installation of Maverick’s neon sign with friends, family, and loyal customers, marking the final step in a year-long process that required navigating city permits and design intricacies.
“It’s the final piece of the puzzle,” Hill says, reflecting on her decades-long connection to the Stockyards. She opened The General Store and Trading Post in 1983 and Maverick Fine Western Wear in 1987. “This sign was inspired by the original artwork created by local artist Michele Needham when the Maverick first opened its doors. Bringing that design back to life — and honoring the man who made all of this possible — makes it especially meaningful.”
That man is Stephen Murrin, Jr., affectionately known as the “Mayor of Cowtown.” Beginning in 1973, Murrin worked tirelessly to revive the Stockyards, rescuing the once-forgotten district and transforming it into the thriving cultural landmark it is today. Hill’s new neon tribute nods to his vision while casting its own light on Cowtown’s historic streets.
The sign, designed and crafted by Garrett Byrum of RB Signs, is Hill’s second collaboration with him, following the 2024 restoration of The General Store’s sign. Combining meticulous craftsmanship with a playful nod to Western heritage, the neon piece is sure to catch the eye of locals and visitors alike.
Stephen Montoya
Gayle Hill, second from left, and friends celebrate the unveiling of the Maverick Fine Western Wear neon sign on Dec. 12.
“Not only does this sign complete our dream of lighting all four corners of Exchange Avenue,” Hill adds, “it also represents our commitment to preserving the Western spirit that makes the Stockyards so special. It’s a beacon welcoming people into a place we love.”
Jim Fisher, manager of operations at Maveric, has witnessed decades of celebrity sightings and cultural shifts within the Stockyards. From Brooks & Dunn performing on the street to the recent media and music attention, Fisher notes that the new sign, paired with the building’s mural, will attract an even broader audience. “It’s going to stand out and draw people in,” he says.
Maverick's neon now stands as both a tribute to Fort Worth’s storied past and a signal of its continuing vitality. In the words of Hill, “This sign is bright, colorful, and full of life — just like the Stockyards themselves.”
