Where I Live: Historic Southside resident wants her neighborhood to shine like others in Fort Worth

By Stephany Velez I love walking my kids to the Ella Mae Shamblee Library, especially when the weather cools down and we can enjoy our 10 to 15 minute stroll. Where I Live spotlights Tarrant County’s unique neighborhoods, as told by the residents that live there. Submit an essay to tell us about your neighborhood. Where I Live is sponsored by Frost Bank . We’re in our third year of living in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside. When my husband and I were looking for our first home, this neighborhood was in our budget. We’re not from Fort Worth, and we came into the neighborhood kind of blind. My husband was born in Mesquite, and I’ve been in Texas my whole life, but we didn’t really know Fort Worth. I have two family members here who have young kids. They’ve been anchors for my growing family. Our four kids have really connected with their kids. We live right next to the Shamblee library. A library was one of the first things I looked for when we moved. I’m a big believer in taking my young children to the library. My whole family can use the library and there’s something for everyone. One of the ways that the kids really like to use it, even when we aren’t physically there, is by checking out their STEM kits. Each has a theme, like coding or gardening. The library provides an important resource now that I homeschool my kids. They attended De Zavala Elementary, which closed last school year . Homeschooling was an important decision for my family after Fort Worth ISD closed my kids’ school. Because of the state of the district , there was just no option for me that I felt was good enough. The closure played a part in why I joined my neighborhood association. I was already involved with my neighborhood, but I had stepped away. I decided to rejoin after I chose to homeschool. The association is working to improve our neighborhood, which has been neglected over the years. There’s just not a lot of entertainment around here or shops or things that our families can enjoy. For nearly everything, I have to go and find it in another area, like Magnolia Street or Sundance Square if it’s even in Fort Worth. I’m excited for our neighborhood to grow and to have more things for us to do here. Everything that should be coming to our neighborhood, like the National Juneteenth Museum , and they’re going to be breaking ground on a new development near Evans . Before too long, we will have our own kind of Magnolia Street with street-level businesses and residences on the top. Fort Worth has been a nice surprise. I saw a sign that said it was an unexpected city. I think that that’s actually pretty true because when people think about Fort Worth, they might think of cowboy boots or things like that. But then it does surprise you with what it has. Fort Worth is home now. I don’t see my family moving away from the city. We might move to a different area. I’ve always wanted to own a piece of land. I do think that Fort Worth has areas where I could potentially end up where I would not be so much in the inner city. But I have so much pride in my neighborhood. What I think is important is that as Fort Worth grows — and as great as Fort Worth is and it’s going to become — let’s not forget the east side of Interstate 35. Because it is also Fort Worth. And they should also shine just as bright as Sundance Square. Just as bright as Camp Bowie. It feels like our neighborhood is a little dim. Let shine the light on us, too. Historic Southside Total population : 3,496 F emale : 53% | Male : 47% Age 0-9 : 8.1% 10-19 : 21.7% 20-29 : 16.4% 30-39 : 12.9% 40-49 : 10.5% 50-59 : 7.1% 60-69 : 17.1% 70-79 : 4.5% 80 and older : 1.8% Education No degree : 22.7% High school : 33.6% Some college : 27.7% Bachelor’s degree : 10.3% Post-graduate : 5.8% Race Hispanic: 40.2% | Black: 34.9% | White: 15.4% | Two or more: 9.6% Click on the link to view the Texas academic accountability ratings for schools within 1 mile: Texans Can Academy – Fort Worth Lancaster Avenue I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary Premier High School – Southside Ki Charter – Fort Worth Polytechnic High School Trimble Technical High School Daggett Middle School William James Middle School Morningside Middle School Young Women’s Leadership Academy Texas Academy of Biomedical Carroll Peak Elementary Daggett Elementary Morningside Elementary Versia Williams Elementary Daggett Montessori Source: Census Reporter Stephany Velez and her family have lived in the Historic Southside for three years. She has been married to her husband, Nicholas, for over a decade. They have four kids. Related Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism . Republish This Story Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details. 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Where I Live: Historic Southside resident wants her neighborhood to shine like others in Fort Worth by The FWR Staff, Fort Worth Report November 14, 2026 Where I Live: Historic Southside resident wants her neighborhood to shin