Downtown Fort Worth - Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University

• Texas Christian University - Fort Worth's most prominent university, founded in 1873 by Addison & Randolph Clark as "AddRan Male & Female College". It is the largest university affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), though the denomination does not own or operate the school, rather, the school-church partnership is based on a common heritage and shared values. The university became known as "Texas Christian University" in 1902 and was the first co-educational institution in the US's southwest region. The school now occupies approximately 325 acres (1.32 km2) right in the heart of Fort Worth. Originally, only 50 acres (200,000 m2) of land were ceded to the Clark brothers; at the time, the land was dubbed "Hell's Half Acre" due to the red-light businesses that were predominant in the area. In 1895 the plot of land was given free of charge, along with $200,000, to entice the brothers to permanently settle their educational institution in Fort Worth. Over $1.5 million dollars are exclusively endowed each year to ensure the upkeep of the university, which sits as a pristine green/flowered landscape in the middle of the urban surroundings of Fort Worth.