Bob Simpson, founder and former CEO of XTO Energy, is quickly becoming known as a sort of hero of historic buildings in downtown Fort Worth.
Morning Star Capital LLC, co-owned by Simpson, recently purchased the Fort Worth Public Market Building, located at 1400 Henderson St. Noted for its Spanish Colonial-style architecture and tower containing stained-glass windows with panels that spell out "Public Market," the building was completed in 1930 and has appeared on the Historic Fort Worth's Most Endangered List three times.
The building was originally a market space for farmers, vendors and retail businesses. After many economic difficulties, the market closed in 1941 and was purchased by Fort Worth transportation pioneer R.C. Bowen in 1944. It was placed on the Texas Register and the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1980 and has since been waiting for someone who cares enough to bring it back to its former glory. -FWTX Staff
