Fairmount Home Tour in Fort Worth offers a respite from festivals

by Bernie Scheffler of West and Clear

In the last few weeks Fort Worth has played host to Main Street Arts Fest, Prairie Fest, Fred’s Fest, and Mayfest.

So, if you’ve had your fill of the -fests, you should try something different this weekend: The Fairmount Home Tour. (Of course, if you’re not tired of -fests, then you should make your way over to the Fairmount Home Fest instead. It’s way cooler.)

The Near South Side is a happenin’ place, and one of the coolest neighborhoods on the South Side is Fairmount, the largest designated historic district in the Southwest. I’m probably a little biased, since I’ve lived in Fairmount for a couple years now, but most people who spend time in Fairmount agree. It’s a vintage neighborhood of the type that doesn’t get built anymore: It’s dense, walkable, has big front porches from which neighbors wave to one another, and has everything you need in close proximity.

Fairmount’s annual home tour is a chance for folks to see the insides of these beautiful pre-war homes (most were built before the 1930s, although this year’s home tour does include one new house designed to blend in with the older homes in the district).

Be sure to visit the home tour’s website, where you can learn a bit more about the neighborhood and see photos of the exteriors of this year’s tour homes. You can also see the homes of tours past.

You don’t want to miss this event; not only are the homes grand, but you just might run into one of your favorite Fort Worth microcelebrities, too. Tickets are $10 in advance (available at Old Home Supply, Old Neighborhood Grill, Butler’s Antiques, or Montgomery Street Antique Mall), or $15 at the door.