As soon as the Montgomery Ward building opened in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1928, it dominated the city's retail scene and became an iconic feature of its skyline. For decades, shoppers browsed the eight-story building for fashions and furnishings, while the site's mail-order warehouse shipped purchases across the country.
In 1931, the Texas & Pacific station welcomed rail passengers to Fort Worth with Art Deco elegance. The lobby was resplendent with marble floors, gilded ceilings, and extravagant chandeliers. In addition to serving passengers, the building included 11 floors of office space.