The Ron Wright Letters Concerning the Preservation of the Bird's Fort Site
Ronald Jack White (April 8, 1953 - February 7, 2021) was an American politician who served as the U. S. representative for Texas's 6th congressional district from 2019 until his death from COVID-19 in 2021. Prior to entering politics, Wright held an interest in local and regional historical topics, one of which was Bird's Fort.
In 1994, while serving with the Tarrant County Historical Commission as Chair of the now defunct Bird's Fort Preservation Committee, Wright engaged in correspondence with various parties offering and/or requesting historical, archaeological, industrial, and legal information on the Bird's Fort site.
April 20, 1994
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Branch, CESWF-OD-R
P.O. Box 17300
Fort Worth, Ix. 76102-0300
Attn: Mr. Robert F. Scott, Archeologist
Dear Mr. Scott,
Thank you for meeting with me last Friday to discuss the Bird's Fort site and for the topographical map from your files.
As we discussed, the development of the area around the Bird's Fort/Callaway Lake property by Metrovest is of great concern to the Commission. We would be very interested in any information that comes to light through impact studies or reports to the Corps from Metrovest. In particular, we would be interested in any artifacts or bones that may be uncovered as the development proceeds.
I would be pleased to meet with you again or attend any meetings with Metrovest personnel that you may deem advisable related to the development's impact on the Bird's Fort site. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the numbers below if I can be of assistance. And thank you again for your helpful cooperation in this matter.
Very truly yours,
[Signed]
Ron Wright
April 20, 1994
Mr. Jon Weist
Precinct 2 Administrator
724 E. Border
Arlington, Ix. 76010
Dear Jon,
I researched our files on Bird's Fort in the TCHC Archives to determine if the road leading to the site is a county or private road. The search was inconclusive as no information about the road could be found in our files. However. I have pursued that matter further since our last discussion, and considerable evidence exists that indicates the road, in fact, is a county road.
The road in question extends south from the intersection of Euless South Main and Callaway Cemetery Road to the entrance of the Silver Lake Gun Club which leases the old Bird's Fort/Callaway Lake property from Mr. Charles Armentrout of Dallas. The property has belonged to the Armentrout family since 1917. Mr. Armentrout told me the road has always been a county road maintained by the county. In my recent visits to the site, I have observed a large amount of old pavement near the center of the road all the way to the Armentrout property entrance. There is no indication of pavement inside the property.
To inquire further, I visited this week with David Bowling in the county Transportation Dept. office. Both old and current county maps that Mr. Bowling showed me indicate the road is a county road. The current Mapsco map shows the area east of FM 157 and south of the Railtran tracks as an unincorporated area of the county and includes the road to the Armentrout property. The 1932 county map designates the road as County Road #3048A, and the current county map on display in the Transportation Dept. office designates the road as County Road #3129. The map legend indicates the road is asphalt covered almost all the way to Callaway Lake.
I hope this information is helpful. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Very truly yours,
[Signed]
Ron Wright
April 20. 1994
Mr. William Rapier
Corporate Reserve Manager
Texas Industries
7610 Stemmons, Suite 200
Dallas, Tx. 75247
Dear Mr. Rapier,
Thank you for taking the time to speak to me about the sand and gravel excavations near the site of the old Bird's Fort in Tarrant County. The fort site is located on property leased by the Silver Lake Gun Club and owned by Mr. Charles Armentrout of Dallas. The property is located one mile east of FM 157 and at the end of a county road extension of Euless South Main that extends south of Callaway Cemetery Road in an unincorporated area of Tarrant County. The area surrounding the Armentrout property to the east, west and south presently is being developed by Metrovest Partners. I have enclosed a topographical map that pinpoints the location.
The site of Bird's Fort, established in 1841, is historically significant not only as the first anglo-American settlement in Tarrant County, but also as the site of an important treaty initiated by Republic of Texas President Sam Houston with several Indian tribes in 1843. Several of the original settlers that were killed by Indians in 1841 and 1842 were buried in what became the county's first cemetery 250-300 yards northeast of the fort on a hill that no longer exists due to the extensive excavations of recent years (late 1950s to late 1970s). It is the exact location of this cemetery that the Commission now hopes, with your help, to find.
The hill that contained the graves rose along the east side of the Armentrout property and is clearly indicated on the enclosed map. During its impact study in 1985, archeologists with the Corps of Encineers were told that bones were unearthed in the late 1950s during sand and gravel excavations near this area, but Mr. Armentrout believes the hill was not excavated until the late 1970s.
It would be extremely helpful if your company would review its records to determine if TXI excavated the hill and, if so, exactly when it was excavated and whether any bones were found. The location of this small cemetery is of great importance to us, and the Commission would be very grateful for any help you may provide.
If you have any questions, or if I can be of assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to your early reply.
Very truly yours,
[Signed]
Ron Wright
TCHC
April 21. 1994
Ms. Chris Kalston
Treetop School
12500 Pipeline Rd. South
Euless. Tx. 76040
Dear Ms. Kalston,
Thank you for allowing me to visit your wonderful school last Thursday, April 14. It is so encouraging to find students that demonstrate a real interest in our local history and a faculty that actively supports that interest.
The research, the film and other work done by the students on the old Bird's Fort are quite impressive. Indeed, the documents they have compiled rival our own files in the county archives. You should be very proud of their accomplishments.
As we discussed, the Commission shares your concern about the future of the Bird's Fort site, and we are reviewing alternatives that may preserve it from future development. I will keep you apprised of our progress.
Thanks so much for your time, the documents you gave me and the tour of your facility. If I can be of assistance at any time in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Very truly yours,
[Signed]
Ron Wright
TCHC
Ron Wright, Chairman
Bird's Fort Preservation Committee
Tarrant County Historical Commission
4319 Field Gate Court
Arlington, Texas 76017
Dear Ron,
Thank you for informing the Landmark Preservation Committee of Arlington of the Bird's Fort Preservation Proiect sponsored by the Tarrant County Historical Commission. Your presentation was both interesting and informative. It is getting harder to preserve our heritage. Progress no matter what seems to be the watch word. The Landmark Preservation Committee commends the T.C.H.C. for its efforts to save the remnants of Bird's Fort.
The Landmark Preservation Committee of Arlington during their meeting on Thursday, May 12, unanimously voted to support the Bird's Fort Preservation Project of T.C.H.C. The Committee realizes the area under discussion is not within the city limits of Arlington. However, Arlington is the largest municipally adjacent to the Bird's Fort area and will have a vested interest in the future use of the land.
The Committee suggest you contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for information on grants funded by the National Parks Services. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers all National Parks Service grants. These grants would be matching grants and would require local funding and/or in kind service. This would be an excellent path to take if the area could be declared a state park maintained by Tarrant County.
Continue to keep the Landmark preservation Committee informed of the progress made by your committee. Historical Preservation is important to us.
Sincerely,
[Signed]
Dorothy Rengurrel, Chairman
Landmark Preservation Com.
[Handwritten note: "Sample Letter to Foundations"]
June 27, 1994
The Moody Foundation
704 Moody National Bank Bldg.
Galveston, Tx: 77550
Attention: Peter M. Moore
Dear Mr. Moore,
I am writing to inquire about the requirements of your organization for a grant to acquire, preserve and develop into a historical park the site of old Bird's Fort in Northeast Tarrant County. The land to be acquired is 111 acres, including the crescent-shaped, spring-fed lake near which the original fort was built in 1841. The lake constitutes approximately one-fourth of the total property. None of the original wooden structures of the fort survive, but much of the land, particularly the wooded area along the lake's perimeter, has been maintained. The property is presently owned by Mr. Charles Armentrout of Dallas and is leased to the Silver Lake Gun Club.
Not only is the Bird's Fort site historically significant to Tarrant County as the first anglo-american settlement in the county, it is historically significant to the state of Texas as the site of a famous treaty initiated by President Sam Houston in 1843 between 10 Indian tribes and the Republic of Texas. It is also the site where the failed Snively Expedition sought refuge and disbanded that same year. Since the 1880s the property has been owned or leased by several sportsman's clubs which, luckily, has prevented the site from being commercially developed.
Today, the site is almost completely surrounded by one of the largest commercial developments in North Texas, the development of almost 2000 acres north of the Trinity River and east of FM 157 in an unincorporated area of Tarrant County near Arlington. The area is being developed by Metrovest, Inc., a Nevada based corporation. The owner of the property, Mr. Armentrout, does not want to donate the property nor place it under the protection of the Texas Antiquities Code, but he would be willing to sell it, especially if the sale preserved the property (It has been in his family since 1917). Neither the state nor the county has funding available for the acquisition, but the county has agreed to maintain the property as a historical park if the property is acquired and donated to Tarrant County for that purpose. An abandoned wooden clubhouse built in 1895 could be restored and used as an education center. This structure is located a mere 100 ft. from the 1936 Centennial marker erected by the state of Texas on the site of the original fort.
I believe acquisition and development costs would be in the $2.5 to $3 million range. The only way to raise such a large sum in a brief period of time is through grants from foundations such as yours. I am convinced, because of Mr. Armentrout's age and health and because the Bird's Fort property juts into the Metrovest property, that time is not on our side. I would deeply appreciate any help your organization can provide in preserving this historical site for future generations of Texans.
Please let me know if your foundation would support such an enterprise, how one may apply for grants, and how specific the proposal should be. Your helpful cooperation will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to your prompt reply.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed]
Ron Wright
Chair, The Bird's Fort Committee
TCHC
Sept. 19, 1994
Ron Wright
Tarrant Co. Historical Comm.
Fort Worth, TX.
Dear Mr. Wright,
Right off, I will tell you I am the one stirring up the fuss about the Bird's Fort historical marker so you will know what this is all about.
Pat Riddle called me from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram and read me your Letter to The Editor in Sunday's edition. She suggested I write to you. I simply do not understand why a sponsor has to be found to pay for replacing the destroyed marker. The construction company should be made to pay for it. If there is some particular reason why not, I'd appreciate it if you would explain it to me. Since it seems that not too many people care one way or the other, it might take a long time, if ever, for a sponsor to come up with the money. This should not be necessary anyway. Have you confronted the construction company about this? They did admit they destroyed it didn't they? This marker was not on the private property the work was being done on anyway. It was by the side of the road on public land. They took it down or ran it down with their equipment.
As long as a new marker is going to have to be made, is there any possibility of having it re-worded? The information on it was not exactly true and I have papers in my possession proving it. Most historians state that Major Jonathan Bird established Bird's Fort and brought settlers there but Indian problems and hunger forced them off. This simply is not true and the only reason I can think of why they would write this is because they did not want to put Pres. Sam Houston in a bad light. Bird's settlers - some 80 of them in their wagons - were on their way to the Fort, led by Bird and when they reached Paris, TX. a rider came informing them Houston had a contract with Peters to settle this area. The settlers waited at Paris while Bird and Houston conferred by letter but to no avail. Houston was firm and so Bird's settlers were forced back and they either returned home or settled elsewhere. As you probably know, Peters colonists were given three extensions on their contract for some reason and finally a few settled there. As long as we're going to present Texas history to the people via markers, why not make it right?
No doubt you can tell I am pretty upset about this. So are my cousins who are also Jonathan Bird descendants. All of them but me live in Texas but I have Texas in my blood. My folks all came from there, my mother being the first one in her family born in Oklahoma Territory. Texas is my roots.
From the sound of your letter, you seem to have an interest in this and also promoting Bird's Fort as a historical site (although I don't know where a spot would be) so I hope you will answer and let me know what is going on.
Sincerely,
[Signed - Mrs. Jann Cunningham]
September 28, 1994
Ms. Jann Cunningham
923 North Temple St.
Cordell, Ok. 73632
Dear Ms. Cunningham,
Thank you for taking time to write to me regarding the Bird's Fort marker. Believe me, I share your frustration over the issue of responsibility for damage to the marker. Unfortunately, we could find no one who saw the marker knocked down, and the company developing the property adjacent to FM 157 denied any knowledge of it. The Historical Commission was notified by the Highway Dept., who also denied any knowledge of it. The Commission is not allowed to fund the cost of markers, whether new or replacements.
However, I have good news. The Bird's Fort marker has been repaired and will be reset within a couple of weeks. The markers are cast aluminum, and when this one was knocked down a portion of the marker which is attached to the post was broken off. Based on initial reports, we thought the damage was irreparable, but after discussions with a metallurgist, we discovered it could indeed be repaired provided the aluminum used was a compatible alloy. Suitable materials were found, and a new base piece and post were welded to the marker just this week. I will send you a photograph once it is reset.
I am enclosing an article on Bird's Fort that appeared in last Sunday's Fort Worth Star Telegram. This was written several weeks ago, but is only now being printed. The information in the article was based on the extensive accumulation of data in our county archives and a number of histories written since the turn of the century. I have more than one reference for each fact, but I relied mainly on official Republic of Texas documents and the written reminiscence of participants in Bird's Fort events, such as the Beeman autobiography. My hope is the article will create more public awareness of the historical significance of the fort.
I note with great interest your assertion that Bird and his followers never actually settled at the fort, but dispersed because of the Peters Colony controversy. I had not seen nor heard this account before and would be very grateful if you would share your references. In particular, any letters from Jonathon [sic] Bird that establishes the facts would be of great value. Like you, I believe history should be written correctly, and I certainly want to correct any errors that may have been made.
As the birthplace of the Metroplex and the first Anglo settlement in Tarrant County, Bird's Fort is of particular interest to the Tarrant County Historical Commission. Is it possible for you and other members of your family to share with us the information you have accumulated? We would gladly reimburse you for any copying expense. Any documents your family can provide would be a valuable addition to our archives and would be deeply appreciated.
Again, I can't thank you enough for writing. For one who has committed considerable time to researching Bird's Fort, it was exciting to learn of the existence of Jonathon [sic] Bird's descendants. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed]
Ron Wright
October 31, 1994
Mr. Richard Lowe
Regulatory Branch: CESWF-OD-R
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 17300
Fort Worth, Tx. 76102-0300
Dear Mr. Lowe,
In response to Public Notice dated October 13, 1994, concerning Permit Application No. 199300854 by Metrovest Partners, Ltd., the Tarrant County Historical Commission strongly urges that the permits not be issued pending a qualified study of the impact to the historical archaeology of the development site and that a waiting period of not less than 90 days be instituted to allow the study to be conducted.
We condemn the manner in which Metrovest Partners, Ltd. has proceeded with excavation work without appropriate permits and with little regard for the environmental impact and historical archaeology of the property. Trees have been felled and large amounts of earth moved over several hundred acres of land known to have been inhabited by Indians, including a portion of the property used by the pioneers of Bird's Fort, the first Anglo settlement in Tarrant County. While much of this property had been destroyed by sand and gravel mining prior to Metrovest, we nevertheless find the developer's behavior deplorable as it has resulted in much more acreage lost to possible archaeological research. Further, we believe the development poses a threat to the integrity of the remaining Bird's Fort site.
We hereby request a waiting period of not less than 90 days prior to the issuance of permits to allow a qualified assessment of the impact to the historical archaeology of the development site.
If you have questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Respectfully yours,
[Signed]
Ron Wright
Chairman, Bird's Fort Committee
Tarrant County Historical Commission
November 4, 1994
County Engineer
100 E. Weatherford St.
Fort Worth. Tx. 76196
Dear Mr. Bennett,
This letter is in regards to the large development by Metrovest Partners, Ltd. in the 100 year flood plain north of Arlington immediately east of FM 157, immediately south of the old Rock Island railroad, and immediately north of the Trinity River. In response to a permit application to the Corps of Engineers now under consideration, the Tarrant County Historical Commission has expressed serious concerns about the development and has requested a waiting period of not less than 90 days to allow a review of the historical archaeology of the development site.
A Floodplain Development Permit from the county is also required. We understand that to date no application for this permit has been made by Metrovest. Yet, trees have been felled and enormous amounts of earth have been moved over several hundred acres of land at the site in the past few months. we call this to your attention to ensure appropriate permit procedures are followed and to request a similar waiting period once application for the county permit is made.
The development site almost completely envelopes a 111 acre tract owned by Charles Armentrout of Dallas and leased to the Silver Lake Gun Club. This tract is the site of the old Bird's Fort, the first Anglo settlement in Tarrant County and the site of an important treaty between the Republic of Texas and several Indian tribes which ushered in an era of settlement in North Texas that began many of the towns and cities that now form the Metroplex. The historical significance of this site and the potential threat of the Metrovest development cannot be overstated. This is a matter of great concern to the Commission.
Your assistance in this matter will be deeply appreciated. If you have questions or wish to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed]
Ron Wright
Tarrant County Historical Commission
November 7, 1994
Richard Lowe
Regulatory Branch, CEWF-OD-R
US Army of Engineers
PO Box 17300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102-0300
Dear Mr. Lowe:
Thank you for sending a copy of the application #199300854, which concerns the application for permit by Metrovest Partners, Ltd. to place dredged and fill material into the Trinity River from their property north of the West Fork of the Trinity near FM 157.
Our Commission has been alarmed in the past months at the quanity [sic] of earth movement from this 1,978 acre project, and at the speed that the land there has been scraped decisively by heavy earth-moving equipment. This project surrounds a property of about 110 acres, currently held by Charles Armentrout of Dallas and leased to the Silver Creek Gun Club. The Armentrout land contains sites of considerable historic interest and importance to the North Texas area, and to the history of the State, as well. It was to a small trading post here, (established c. 1841 by one Jonathon [sic] Bird, a Texas Ranger) that President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas came in the summer of 1843 to pow-wow with various representatives of surrounding Indian tribes. (at least 9 tribes sent chiefs, or someone with authority to speak for their tribe) A treaty was signed in September 1843, designating territorial, trading, and strategic defensive boundaries. This treaty allowed the continuation of safe settlement into this region of the frontier by Texians, and promised safty [sic] to the native Indian populance [sic] from exploitive invasions from tribes from Indian territory to the north.
Given the certainty that this river-land was prime hunting/camping grounds for many Plains Indians, and the importance to the Anglo history of the area from the Treaty of Bird's Fort, we request your support and cooperation in allowing an agressive [sic] archaeological search be made to discover the extent of native-American and Anglo habitation here. We respectfully request a delay in the granting of this permit that will continue the dredging of this territory. With each truck-load being moved, we are diminishing our ability to learn about our past. We are not separating native-American from anglo; surely, by 1994, we understand that all this history combines to become all of our history. We ask your help in protecting the ability to search out that history.
Sincerely,
[Signed]
Susan M. Pritchett, chairman
DON McCHESNEY, P.E.
Director
November 10, 1994
Mr. Ron Wright
Tarrant County Historical Commission
100 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
RE: The Metrovest Project
Dear Mr. Wright:
Please reference your letter dated November 4, 1994.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the Federal Insurance Program. Under this program, a community is able to have flood insurance coverage made available to residences and businesses in the community. This coverage is extended only if the community adopts and enforces a Flood Plain Regulation (ordinance) as approved by FEMA. The unincorporated areas of Tarrant County are considered a community by FEMA. Therefore, the County has adopted such a regulation by Commissioners Court Order. Since FEMA had to approve it, the court order is almost an exact duplicate of FEMA's regulations and meets its minimum requirements.
The court order primarily addresses engineering aspects of developing flood plain areas. This court order does not set forth any cases in which development of flood plain areas can be prohibited. It only sets up engineering requirements that must be met by a developer in order that a permit be issued to him. It also requires the developer to submit sufficient engineering data so that FEMA (in Washington D.C.) can review the project for a Letter of Map Revision. This map revision process is reguired so FEMA can accurately change the Flood Insurance Rate Maps of the community.
Therefore, my main responsibility is to see that a developer applies for a permit. Then, I must see that FEMA has sufficient engineering data for their review process. The way I interpret the regulation, the only way the issuance of the permit can legally be delayed is through the developer's lack of compliance in meeting FEMA's requirements.
Concerning the subject project, the developer submitted a request for a permit on January 3, 1994. They have, also, submitted engineering data to be submitted to FEMA for their review. Since part of the affected flood plain is in the City of Arlington, FEMA has reguired the city and the County to jointly review this project. Also, the City has assumed the responsibility for submitting the engineering data to FEMA for their review and map revision process. (I received notice on November 3, 1994, that the City was proceeding to do this.) FEMA will probably take between one and four months for their review. When I see that FEMA is going to be satisfied, I will be obligated to issue the County's Flood Plain Development Permit to the developer. In addition, the developer will need to get a permit from the City of Arlington for the affected area in their city limits.
Another route which your agency might pursue would be to contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Fort Worth District). This organization is required under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33USC1344) to review and issue permits for these kinds of projects. They are required by this Federal law to review many environmental and cultural factors including "historic properties". (Reference attached public notice from the Corps.) The notice states that November 7, 1994, was the close of their comment period. However, I called Richard Lowe (project manager) at the Corps. He said this date had been extended to November 21, 1994. Also, he said that a very good archeologist named Robert F. Scott was working on the cultural aspects of this project. My recommendation is that these people be contacted immediately.
Yours very truly,
[Signed]
James T. Bennett, P.E.
County Engineer
-------
Operations Division
Regulatory Branch
SUBJECT: Project Number 199300854
Dear Requester:
This is in reference to your comment letter concerning Department of the Army permit application 199300854. In your letter, you requested an extension of the comment period and or a public hearing be held on this action. The comment period has been extended to November 30, 1994.
Through the public notice process, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is providing the general public an opportunity to comment on this project. The purpose of a public notice or public hearing is to acquire information or evidence to be considered in evaluating a proposed permit action and afford the public an opportunity to present their views on such actions. Because there is ample opportunity to comment on this project with the extended public notice process, we believe that a public hearing will not be warranted and there is otherwise no valid interest to be served by a hearing. We will address all comments received on this permit application during our evaluation process.
Thank you for your interest in our nation's water resources and your comments on this permit application.
Sincerely,
[Signed]
Wayne A. Lea
Chief, Regulatory Branch