Our Favorite Stories from 2022

Fort Worth Magazine staff pick their favorite stories from the past year.

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If you weathered this summer’s housing boom and gas prices, plus have a palpable fear of the oncoming winter storms, chances are you are tough enough to call yourself a Fort Worthian. Other local North Texas phenomena, this year, came in the form of entertainment (“1883”) and fashion (Taylor Sheridan). Plus, a pair of Fort Worth’s own favorite celebrities stepped up to offer a Big Good of help to those in need. Furthermore, since we are a print publication, we couldn’t help but delve a little deeper into some of the rich histories that make us, well, Fort Worth. Check out twelve of our most revered stories from the past 365 days. (Editor’s Note: These stories do not appear in order of importance, but rather when they were released.)

January

“Raising Hell”

by Tyler Hicks

January was interesting because we started off the year hanging out with the ever-consummate bucking bull raiser Cory Melton. Melton explains the day-to-day routine of raising a herd of one of the world’s most dangerous animals and the perils that lay within. https://fwtx.com/culture/raising-bucking-bulls/

February

“Broken and Alone”

by John Henry

This story tells of the heights of local boxing legend Donald Curry and his battle with what his son thinks is CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) a brain disease seen in many athletes of sports in which an athlete takes repeated blows to the head.  Read about Curry’s battle inside and outside of the ring. https://fwtx.com/culture/people/broken-and-alone/

March

“Catching Up with Texas Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Mike Renfro”

by John Henry

Check out the legacy-defining story of Texas football legend Mike Renfro from his own words and those of his teammates. Find out why some of his high school opponents called him a “bad little booger.”  https://fwtx.com/culture/people/mike-renfro-texas-sports-hall-of-fame/

April

“And Ode to Tom Vandergriff”

by John Henry

How did a singing cowboy inspire legendary Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff to bring a baseball team to North Texas? Well, it might come as some surprise that it’s sports related. https://fwtx.com/news/features/an-ode-to/

May

“The Good Guys”

by Brian Kendall

This roundtable Q&A between two of Fort Worth’s biggest names, Leon Bridges and Gary Patterson, explains why they decided to combine forces to aid with charity. https://fwtx.com/culture/people/Leon-Bridges-and-Gary-Patterson-Partner-Up-For-The-Big-Good/

May

“Mud Lowery is Romancing the Stone”

by Malcolm Mayhew

Here’s a story about a local jewelry maker who has quickly become a known artist in his own right. Oh yeah, his clientele consists of a few names you might’ve heard before too. https://fwtx.com/culture/style/romancing-the-stone/

July

“The Best in Texas

by Brian Kendall, John Henry, and Malcolm Mayhew

This summer’s centerpiece highlights 50 reasons why Fort Worth is so dang awesome. Check out the list and see who and what made it one more time before it’s updated in 2023.

https://fwtx.com/culture/why-fort-worth-is-the-best-dang-city-in-texas/

September

“173 Fort Worthians Who Shaped Our City”

by John Henry

With this piece, we took a deep look into the people that helped shape us into the 13th largest city in the nation. This list is an eye-opening read from start to finish and just might have a name or two on it you haven’t heard of before. https://fwtx.com/culture/fort-worthians-shaped-a-city/

October

“Tall Hat, Deep Roots”

by Shiloh Urban

So, you think you know all there is to know about the history of the cowboy hat? Well, guess again, there’s more to it than we even expected to learn. By the time you are done with this article, you will be a hat aficionado.  Plus, it’s a fun read all the way through. https://fwtx.com/magazines/fort-worth-magazine/tall-hat-deep-roots/

October

“Gone Green”

by Brian Kendall

This is a fun read from beginning to end, written in the kind of pull-you-in style our very own Brian Kendall has more than a knack for. This personal interview allows readers to see behind the curtain of seminal local musician, Pat Green. https://fwtx.com/culture/pat-green-has-it-all-figured-out/

November

“The Maverick”

by Brian Kendall

I can’t begin to tell you what an exciting piece this was for Fort Worth Magazine to get in the wake of everything being all about “Yellowstone” and its spin-off shows “1883” and “1923.” Taylor Sheridan spent almost an entire day with us either posing for the artwork that made up the cover and inside shoots of November’s issue, or talking about the legendary Four Sixes Ranch. Either way, this was one of our top picks for this year hands down! https://fwtx.com/culture/the-maverick/

December

“The Unforgivable Charlie Brooks”

by Brian Kendall

This article showcases the man who became the first person ever to be put to death by lethal injection. It just so happens that this occurred — you guessed it — in Texas. This article’s authenticity is interwoven with a specific journalist’s account and relationship with the deceased. https://fwtx.com/magazines/fort-worth-magazine/the-unforgivable-charlie-brooks/

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